From staff reports

MIDDLEBURG — District Attorney Heath W. Brosius has announced the sentencing of 37-year-old Ryan Norris of Shamokin Dam by President Judge Lori Hackenberg on Jan. 9.

Norris pled guilty to 13 charges, including rape of a child Less than 13, sexual assault, incest, child pornography and other sexual offenses.

The offenses occurred during a four-year time period ending in October of 2024 and involved the repeated victimization of his now-15 year old daughter. Norris used guilt, threats of suicide, and emotional manipulation to keep his daughter from speaking out and under his influence.

The sentencing hearing was an emotional experience for the victim and her family. The Courtroom was packed with friends of the minor victim, family members of the victim’s mother, and other supporting adults. During the proceeding as the events of the case were testified to, some members of the victim’s support group had to step out of the Courtroom for a short while. The court also permitted two therapy dogs from the Tri-County Obedience Dog Club to stay in the courtroom with the victim during the proceeding.

Hackenberg heard Norris’s request for a lighter sentence and then listened to the victim impact statement from the Mother of the victim, and finally argument from Brosius requesting an aggravated range sentence. Hackenberg spoke directly to the minor victim in the courtroom before imposing the sentence of 41 and a half years to 124 years.

Brosius responded: “I am so very proud of the victim and her family for pushing through the struggle life has been to see this case through to the end. I cannot begin to imagine what life has been like for this family, but now they can begin to move on and be survivors.” He went on to comment, “I have to thank the flawless investigative work of Shamokin Dam Police Officers and the Pennsylvania State Police. Both worked together to investigate this matter and their hard work, dedication, and quick thinking ensured a sexual predator was removed from our community.”