A Lancaster County man faces numerous charges of sexual assault and indecent contact with children dating back to 1998.

Frederick Thomas Shambaugh, 52, of Elizabethtown Road, was arraigned Monday afternoon before District Judge Jayne Duncan on charges that include 13 counts of indecent assault, two counts of involuntary deviate sexual intercourse, two counts of aggravated indecent assault, nine counts of corruption of minors and two counts of indecent exposure.

The charges were the result of a two-month investigation by the Northwest Regional Police Department and the Lancaster County District Attorney's office. Police allege Shambaugh engaged in sexual acts and inappropriate touching of private parts involving eight female victims between the ages of 6 to 13.

Police say the incidents took place between 1998 and 2006 in Shambaugh's former residence at Rockwood Drive in Mount Joy Township.

Northwest Regional Chief Sam Gatchell said he asked his detectives every day during the investigation to see when they would be able to file charges.

"To me, it definitely was a No. 1 priority removing a predator like this from our community," Gatchell said.

The investigation began in January, Gatchell said, when the parents of some of the children came forward to report the alleged cases of indecent assault.

The charges do not constitute random acts of violence, Gatchell said, as the victims were all acquainted with Shambaugh.

"Word spread through the community of these activities and led to individuals coming forward," Gatchell said.

Shambaugh's bail was set at $400,000, and he was taken to Lancaster County Prison. Gatchell said Shambaugh was still in prison as of Monday night.

District Attorney Craig Stedman said he is familiar with the case but has not looked at all the reports yet.

Stedman said the charges were the result of work by Northwest Regional police Officer Greg Wahl in cooperation with Assistant District Attorney Daniel Dye and will be prosecuted by the Child Abuse/Sexual Assault Unit under the direction of Assistant District Attorney Kelly Sekula.

Stedman said he could not comment on how Shambaugh came into contact with the victims, if they were related or if he had a prior record.

"Obviously, they are very serious charges," Stedman said.

Shambaugh is the owner of J.H. Mechanical Services Inc., a heating and air-conditioning business in Mount Joy. Gatchell said Shambaugh had been looking to sell the business.

Ann Wagoner, a former neighbor of Shambaugh on Rockwood Drive, said she didn't know him very well but said he was a very friendly person. Wagoner said she would see him playing in the front yard with his son and daughters and the family dog.

Gatchell said sex crimes can occur among people of all walks of life and at all levels of society.

"I always look at it that the people that need our protection the most are our children and our elderly, and naturally this case involved our children," Gatchell said.

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