ALLENTOWN, Pa. — A former substitute teacher in Lehigh County schools charged with sexually assaulting a 17-year-old girl while she was shopping with her family and been sentenced to jail, officials said.
Jared Gerhard, 31, of Macungie, was sentenced Thursday in a hearing before Lehigh County Judge Anna-Kristie M. Marks to 9 to 23 months in Lehigh County Jail, county District Attorney Gavin P. Holihan said.
Gerhard also was sentenced to five years on probation and was designated a sexually violent predator, meaning he will have to register for the rest of his life under the Sex Offender Registration and Notification Act.
Gerhard also was sentenced to five years on probation and was designated a sexually violent predator, meaning he will have to register for the rest of his life under the Sex Offender Registration and Notification Act.
Gerhard in March pleaded guilty to misdemeanor charges of indecent assault without the consent of another and corruption of minors.
He touched the girl, who is autistic, between the legs while she was shopping at the Marshall's store on the 3900 block of Hamilton Boulevard in Lower Macungie Township, Holihan said.
Victim screams, assailant flees
The victim told authorities Gerhard approached her at the store and exposed his abdomen to her. Frightened, she left and went to find her mother, according to court documents.
While standing near her family a few minutes later, she felt someone touch her over her shorts, according to court documents.
She turned and found Gerhard hiding between two racks of clothing, according to court documents.
Gerhard was a substitute teacher who had worked for multiple schools in Lehigh County.Lehigh County District Attorney's Office release
Police said the girl screamed, causing Gerhard to flee. A witness tried to detain Gerhard, but he broke away and fled the store, according to court documents.
The witness told police that Gerhard was carrying clothing and a toy mushroom from the Super Mario video game franchise.
Police received a 911 call shortly after 5:30 p.m. and saw Gerhard speeding out of the parking lot, according to court documents.
When the officer stopped him on Mill Creek Road, he was sweating profusely and was wearing clothing that matched the suspect's description, according to police.
A mushroom toy was in the front passenger area of the vehicle, and the witness identified Gerhard as the man who eluded him at the Marshall's.
Holihan identified Gerhard as a substitute teacher who had worked for multiple schools in Lehigh County. He did not say which districts.
