TOWANDA–
Two men today received six to 23 months in county jail for sexually assaulting a person with mental disabilities in Bradford County.
Randy Foust, 51, and Jared Strunk, 41, were taken to jail following their sentencing in Towanda.
Canton police originally investigated the allegations and then the case was handed over to state police.
Investigators say the victim lived at Cedar Ridge Apartments in Canton. That’s where the victim met Foust and Strunk.
A third man, Ronald Middaugh was also charged in this case.
He died a few months ago.
Prosecutors believe all three men took advantage of the young man with disabilities.
“You certainly couldn’t deny that the victim in this case was a very limited person. This is not, by any means a consensual situation between adults,” Bradford County District Attorney Dan Barrett said.
Both men took deals instead of facing felony charges. Foust pleaded guilty to indecent assault. Strunk pleaded no contest to indecent assault, a misdemeanor.
The victim testified in court saying he wanted both men put away forever.
His mother says she would have liked to see a longer sentence.
We’re not showing her face so we don’t identify the victim.
“As a mother, it’s never going to be enough. But I was glad to see the handcuffs put on them,” she said.
Family and friends of the victim say its been a long time to get their day in court.
They’re hoping the sentence of the two men today will help provide closure to the young man who they say was taken advantage of.
Both Foust and Strunk are eligible for parole after serving six months. Once they’re released they must register as Megan’s Law offenders.
Foust must register for 25 years. Strunk must register as an offender for 15 years.
