According to a news release, a former deacon who had a leadership position in a local Lutheran Church group on a part-time basis was given a 30-year prison sentence on Monday for two sex offenses.
According to court documents, George Travis Woodfield, 41, of Macungie, entered a guilty plea in March to transporting an 11-year-old across state lines for sex and to downloading child pornography.
According to court documents, in November 2018, he took an 11-year-old child across state lines for an overnight stay in New York City. According to a news statement from the U.S. Attorney’s office, Woodfield sexually assaulted the youngster in his hotel room following a day of sightseeing.
According to the news release, Woodfield downloaded a large number of child pornographic imagery, including pictures of youngsters who were not yet pubescent, between September 2015 and July 2024.
According to the press statement, Woodfield was mandated to make reparation of $12,000.
According to U.S. Attorney David Metcalf, who represents the Eastern District of Pennsylvania, the sexual exploitation of children results in unimaginable devastation. Even while it is impossible to reverse the harm caused by a predator like Woodfield, his prison term keeps him from hurting anyone else and gives his victim justice.
A request for comment from Woodfield’s lawyer, Jay Michael Nigrini of Reading, was not immediately answered.
Bishop Christopher deForest verified that Woodfield was a part-time director of congregational legacy and purpose for the Northeastern Pennsylvania Synod of the Lutheran Church following his indictment in December. The synod is led by deForest.
In December, deForest stated that Woodfield never worked with or oversaw children while he was employed by the synod. According to deForest, Woodfield was appointed in February 2021 and resigned on July 21, 2024.
A request for comment on Monday was not answered by deForest, who was on holiday.
In Allentown, U.S. District Judge Joseph F. Leeson Jr. condemned Woodfield.
The Lehigh Valley is part of the 14-county Synodis. The synod office is located in Lehigh County’s Hanover Township.
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You can contact Rudy Miller at [email protected].
