Man Receives Up to 120 Years for Gunpoint R@pes at Lancaster Spa
A Dauphin County man has been sentenced to between 60 and 120 years in state prison after being found guilty of r@ping two spa workers at gunpoint in Lancaster County in 2024. The sentencing was handed down last week by a judge, following a trial that highlighted the violent nature of the crimes.
Details of the Crimes and Charges
According to the Office of Lancaster County District Attorney Heather Adams, Christopher A. Rivera, 38, of Middletown, was convicted on multiple counts. These included two counts each of robbery, r@pe, forcible compulsion, and involuntary deviate s£xual intercourse forcible compulsion, along with four counts of s£xual assault. The charges stemmed from an incident on August 27, 2024, at a spa located on the 1200 block of Lancaster Road in Penn Township.
Authorities reported that Rivera held the victims at gunpoint using a pellet gun, which was later described as looking like a handgun. He initially demanded money from the spa workers, and after they handed over more than $800 of the store's proceeds, he proceeded to r@pe them in a massage room. Surveillance footage captured Rivera pointing the pellet gun at the victims before forcing them into the room and later fleeing as police began to arrive.
Police Response and Shooting
A Northern Lancaster County Regional Police officer responded to the scene shortly after 8 p.m. on the day of the incident. As Rivera was fleeing and ignoring orders while still holding the pellet gun, the officer shot him. District Attorney Heather Adams later determined that the officer was justified in using force, given the circumstances and the perceived threat from the weapon.
The case was prosecuted by Assistant District Attorney Fritz Haverstick, with charges filed by Lancaster County Detective Brent Shultz. The sentencing reflects the severity of the crimes and the impact on the victims, who endured a traumatic ordeal at the spa.
This case underscores ongoing concerns about violent crimes in the region and the legal consequences for such acts. The lengthy prison term aims to ensure public safety and deliver justice for the victims involved.
