MIFFLINTOWN — A 21-year-old Juniata High School alumnus left the Juniata County Courthouse on Tuesday, as a Tier 1 sex offender who must serve three to 23 months in county jail.

Peyton Harris, of Mifflintown, pleaded guilty Jan. 17 to one count of possession of child pornography and furnishing alcohol. His sentencing had been continued until Tuesday.

“While not the most egregious of crimes,” Harris’s actions “had an impact on all involved,” Court of Common Pleas Judge Andrew J. Bender said prior to sentencing. “Sorting out what to do is not the easiest.”

Harris was charged after police said he hosted a party in the summer of 2021, provided alcohol to minors, kissed a 16-year-old student, took nude photos and videos of the student, filmed the student engaged in sexual intercourse with another person without either’s consent, and shared the photos/videos on social media.

About 10 people supported Harris, sitting in the rows behind the defendant’s stand.

On the other side of the courtroom, one of the victims sat with their mother, who read two statements, addressing Harris directly.

“My (child) trusted you, Peyton … (and) stood up for you. We have yet to receive any kind of apology,” said the woman, whose name has been withheld to protect the underage victim.

Harris sat stoically while the woman spoke. His attorney, Paul Richard Wagner, of Harrisburg, presented several character witnesses for Harris, including his parents and grandfather.

Peyton, said the latter, is a “practicing Christian” who excelled in his school years, playing sports, performing music, singing in chorus, and acting in and directing plays. He held several jobs and enrolled at Duquesne University.

“He made poor choices on one night of his life,” Frederick Harris, his grandfather, added. “He did not bodily hurt anyone.”

The elder Harris complained that the “massive publicity” of the case in newspapers and television “seemed to be judge and jury” and was “punishment enough.”

Peyton Harris then addressed the judge and apologized to the victim.

His jail term, punishment for the possession of child pornography charge, will be served in Mifflin County Correctional Facility. For the furnishing alcohol charge, Harris will have 12 months of consecutive probation. He also will pay the costs of prosecution and have no contact with the victim.

Kristyne M. Crist, senior deputy attorney general, represented the prosecution, the state Attorney General’s Office, and recommended the sentence that ultimately was handed down. She deferred further comment to her superiors, who did not respond by press time.