A Lancaster County judge sentenced a man Tuesday to 50 to 100 years in prison for sexually assaulting a young boy.

Joseph Evans Crossan, 48, of Gap, had been arrested three times before for having indecent contact with children but in each case was given probation or county prison sentences.

In March, a jury convicted Crossan of sexually assaulting his fourth victim, a 6-year-old boy.

"It's hard for me to understand why so many people needed to be victimized before someone treated your crimes seriously, why it took four very brave little boys to step forward and report this," Judge Dennis Reinaker told Crossan.

"I certainly intend to change that," Reinaker said. "Four victims is more than enough."

State Trooper Linda Gerow made the arrest one year ago, after a 6-year-old boy told his father that Crossan — a neighbor and parent of the child's playmate — had repeatedly sexually assaulted him when he was visiting their home. The boy's father called police.

Crossan was convicted of involuntary deviate sexual intercourse with a child, aggravated indecent assault of a child, indecent assault and corruption of minors.

"The love of Christ tells me to forgive this man," the child's father said in court Tuesday, "but no sin comes without consequence.

"He should never have the opportunity to do this again to a child or anyone."

Assistant District Attorney Karen Mansfield, who prosecuted the case, had stronger words for the judge.

"This defendant is a true pedophile," Mansfield said. "He is a danger to the community and any young child who comes in his path."

Mansfield said Crossan was convicted previously of having indecent contact with boys in 1980, 1982 and 1992. The victims were all of 7 or 8.

Crossan was given probation after the first offense, Reinaker said, and county jail sentences after the second and third offenses.

Defense attorney James Gratton said Crossan had "one of the top five worst childhoods" of anyone he's represented during his lengthy legal career.

Crossan was continually abused sexually and physically by family members and caretakers, Gratton said.

"While this may, in part, provide some explanation," Reinaker told Crossan, "nothing can excuse your behavior in this case."

Crossan admitted to Gerow some of the offenses, according to the affidavit, but on Tuesday he denied committing the most serious sexual acts.

"What I did do is wrong," Crossan said. "I cannot own up to something I didn't do."

Crossan told the judge he had been attending counseling sessions in prison.

"I am not the same person I was 12 months ago," he said.

The judge said, "It's hard for me to imagine more disturbing crimes than those in which small children are victimized. They're essentially defenseless.

"Often times, their abusers have managed to ingratiate themselves to their victims, gaining the child's affection and trust before taking advantage of them. This grooming activity defines the insidious nature of these crimes."

"You are the very definition of a sexually violent predator," Reinaker told Crossan. "You knew the effects your actions could have. You've seen them in your own life. But you've never made an effort to get any help, to receive any therapy."

Reinaker said that a psychological assessment concluded that Crossan's case "illustrates the permanent nature of pedophilia," and that he "would likely offend again if released into the community at some point in your lifetime."

Under Pennsylvania law, because Crossan was previously convicted of a sex offense that resulted in Megan's Law registration, this was considered a second strike, carrying a minimum sentence of 25 years in prison.

Should Crossan be convicted a third time, Reinaker warned, he could be sentenced to life in prison.

Reinaker also ordered Crossan to pay $365 restitution and to have no contact with the victim.

jkelley@lnpnews.com