Hatboro man, ex-pastor, draws prison for child sex abuse

PHILADELPHIA » A federal judge has ensured that a Hatboro man and former pastor will spend the remainder of his life in prison on charges he sexually abused and recorded the abuse of an infant and young girl.

Jerry William Zweitzig, 72, was sentenced in U. S. District Court to 200 years in a federal penitentiary on charges of manufacturing and attempted manufacturing of child pornography. The sentence was imposed by U. S. District Court Judge Wendy Beetlestone.

U. S. Attorney William M. McSwain said the charges stemmed from Zweitzig’s sexual abuse of an infant and a young girl, who was under 10, both of whom were in his care at the time of the abuse. Zweitzig was a pastor at the Horsham Bible Church at the time of the abuse, according to prosecutors.

“The level of depravity in these cases leaves me almost speechless,” McSwain said. “I will simply say this: today’s sentence ensures that Zweitzig will die in prison, which is probably a better fate than what he deserves.”

In the case involving the young girl, Zweitzig pleaded guilty to five counts of manufacturing and attempted manufacturing of child pornography and one count of possession of child pornography.

The charges arose from Zweitzig’s sexual exploitation of the girl over a period of years, his photographing and videotaping of the sexual abuse, and his collection of more than 10,000 images of child pornography involving thousands of other children on four different hard drives that were found in his home.

According to court documents, the collection included disturbing images of prepubescent children being raped by adult males, forced oral sex on babies and young girls by adult men andwomen, and insertion of objects into children – many of which show children crying and clearly in pain.

In the case involving the infant, Zweitzig pleaded guilty to one count of manufacturing and one count of attempted manufacturing of child pornography. Those charges were based on a video that the defendant made in 2010 that depicted an infant under six months of age being coaxed to engage in a sexual act. In the video, Zweitzig’s voice could be heard repeatedly saying, “That’s a good boy.”

Investigators discovered the video of the infant while preparing to prosecute Zweitzig for the sexual exploitation of the young girl.

“Safeguarding children from being victimized by predators is a top priority for Homeland Security Investigations,” said Brian A. Michael, special agent in charge of Homeland Security Investigations Philadelphia. “Mr. Zweitzig’s behavior is deplorable, and the exploitation of children is inexcusable.

“HSI special agents and our law enforcement partners will relentlessly pursue child predators, in every form, and ensure those who commit these atrocious crimes are brought to justice,” Michael added.

Court records indicate Zweitzig also is awaiting trial in Montgomery County Court on separate charges of indecent assault of a child, unlawful contact with a minor, invasion of privacy, indecent exposure and child pornography. Those charges were brought by Horsham police.

This federal case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative launched in May 2006 by the U. S. Department of Justice to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse. Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state, and local resources to better locate, apprehend, and prosecute those who exploit children via the internet, as well as to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, visit www.projectsafechildhood.gov

The case was investigated by the Department of Homeland Security, Homeland Security Investigations, the Horsham Police Department, and the Montgomery County District Attorney’s Office. Assistant U. S. Attorney Eric L. Gibson handled the federal prosecution.

“The level of depravity in these cases leaves me almost speechless. Iwill simply say this: today’s sentence ensures that Zweitzig will die in prison, which is probably a better fate thanwhat he deserves.” — US Attorney WilliamM. McSwain