Bradford man sentenced to state prison for sex crimes against children
MCKEAN COUNTY - McKean County District Attorney Stephanie Vettenburg-Shaffer reports that a Bradford man appeared for a sentencing hearing after previously been convicted of sexual offenses against two minor female family members several times between 2010 and 2015.
Roger Traster, Sr. was sentenced by the Judge to a period of incarceration of 9-18 years plus three years of consecutive probation. Traster was also ordered to register as a sex offender for his lifetime due to the court previously determining he meets the criteria to be considered a sexually violent predator. He was convicted of fondling the breasts of a minor child who was between the ages of nine and 10 at least two times and to fondling the breasts and penetrating the vagina with his finger of another child who was between the ages of nine and 12 at least two times.
Traster was ordered to provide his DNA, undergo sex offender treatment and other terms. Traster had been convicted after a jury trial in 2018 but, prior to the original sentencing date, various motions were filed by the defense related to Traster’s medical condition that required the Court to hold hearings at various intervals and prevented the Court imposing a sentence sooner.
DA Vettenburg-Shaffer said, “One of the children disclosed the sexual abuse during a talk in her classroom about “good touch/bad touch.” The other child wrote a note to a teacher’s aid about what the defendant had done to her and asked the aid for help. These children knew that these adults in their school could help them and, in both cases, the teachers reported the crimes as mandated reporters. This resulted in CYS (Children and Youth Services) and City of Bradford Police initiating investigations.
Anyone who works with children is deemed a “mandatory reporter” under Pennsylvania law where they are required to report suspected child abuse. But all adults are in a position to report suspected abuse to authorities and could stop a child from being abused. If you suspect child abuse, call Childine at 1-(800) 9320313 and 911.