SUNBURY - A 34-year-old Shamokin man charged with sexually assaulting a 13-year-old girl in Coal Township pleaded guilty Monday afternoon to a felony of endangering the welfare of children and misdemeanor of corruption of minors.
Shaine M. Wyland, of 692 Bear Valley Ave., entered the plea before Northumberland County President Judge Robert B. Sacavage, who reduced the defendant's bail from $200,000 cash to $20,000. Wyland was recommitted to Northumberland County Prison, but is expected to be released in the near future because he is only required
to post 10 percent of his $20,000 bail.
First Assistant District Attorney Ann Targonski objected to the bail reduction request by Wyland's lawyer, Scott McIntosh of Royersford, but the judge agreed with McIntosh that Wyland was not a flight risk and would attend his sentencing at 1:15 p.m. Monday, Jan. 28.
Wyland, who has been incarcerated for four months, told the judge he understood the ramifications of pleading guilty to the charges that include forfeiting his right to a trial and having limited appeal options.
Sacavage, who ordered a pre-sentence investigation in the case, instructed Wyland to avoid all contact with the victim.
Additional felonies of statutory sexual assault, unlawful contact with a minor and aggravated indecent assault will not be prosecuted at sentencing if Sacavage accepts the plea agreement.
Wyland was charged by Coal Township Detective Jeff Brennan. He is accused of having sex with a 13-year-old girl in February, which she told police was consensual. The incident is alleged to have occurred in a mountainous area known as the "PennDOT," approximately three miles southeast of Burnside.
The defendant claimed he was riding dirt bikes with friends in Lancaster County and was unaware there was a warrant for his arrest when he turned himself over to Coal Township police July 23.
Police said Wyland and the victim knew each other.
The victim reportedly is living with a local relative and remains under the supervision of Northumberland County Children and Youth Services.