Man draws prison for sex assault

Sopha Dok to serve more than a decade behind bars

NORRISTOWN » A Telford man is on his way to state prison after a jury convicted him of sexually assaulting an underage girl on several occasions while she was in his company.

Sopha Dok, 41, of the first block of North Third Street, was sentenced on Friday in Montgomery County Court to 11 to 22 years in a state correctional facility in connection with incidents that occurred over a period of several years when the girl was between the ages of 11 and 14 and while she was in Dok’s company at various times.

Judge Gail A. Weilheimer also ordered Dok to complete five years’ probation following parole, meaning Dok will be under court supervision for a total of 27

years. However, Dok apparently faces immigration issues and could face deportation after he completes his prison term, according to court papers.

During a two-day trial in January, a jury convicted Dok of charges of rape of a child, statutory sexual assault, endangering the welfare of a child and corruption of a minor in connection with the incidents.

Assistant District Attorney Matthew Brittenburg sought a lengthy prison term against Dok. At trial, Brittenburg argued Dok was in a position of authority that he exploited and violated the trust of the girl’s family.

The investigation began in November 2016 when the girl confided in her mother about the assaults, according to testimony and the criminal complaint filed by Telford Detective Daniel S. Fox.

“I was a minor. I was touched inappropriately,” the victim, now 21, testified

during the January trial, adding the inappropriate conduct involved various sexual acts.

The victim testified Dok told her that if she resisted or threatened to expose his conduct that her family would be hurt and would suffer. The girl said she was scared and naïve and listened to Dok.

Testimony revealed the girl became pregnant as a result of the assaults and had an abortion.

Dok, who was represented by defense lawyer Megan Schanbacher, did not testify during the trial.

During the cross-examination of prosecution witnesses Schanbacher suggested the girl fabricated the allegations.

Prosecutors also presented the jury with incriminating text messages that Dok sent to the girl after the allegations were revealed. Dok, according to testimony, urged the girl to tell her mother that he hadn’t done anything to her.

In another text message Dok wrote, “I lived with this guilt for a very long time, I’m so sorry,” according to testimony.