Lancaster County Cold Case: New Charges Filed in 1990s Sexual Assault

The Lancaster County District Attorney's office has filed a third set of charges against Eric Dorwart, a 55-year-old Lancaster resident, in connection with a 1990s cold case sexual assault in Pennsylvania. This development adds to the growing list of allegations against Dorwart, who was already facing charges related to the cold case and child pornography possession.

New Charges Unveiled

The latest charges stem from evidence discovered during a search of Dorwart's home. Investigators found images on seized electronic devices that allegedly show Dorwart engaging in sexual acts with a minor. The charges include:

• Indecent assault of a person less than 13
• Corruption of minors
• Unlawful contact with a minor
• Indecent exposure

Evidence Linking Dorwart to the Crimes

Investigators identified Dorwart in the images through several key pieces of evidence:

• A blanket visible in the background of the images matched one found in Dorwart's home
• The images depicted "paraphilic sexual behavior involving feet with a juvenile victim"

Previous Charges and Ongoing Investigation

This is not the first time Dorwart has faced legal troubles related to sexual offenses. Previous charges include:

1. Involvement in the 1990s cold case sexual assault
2. Possession of child pornography

The second set of charges came after a search warrant execution in August 2023, where investigators discovered:

• Multiple devices containing thousands of child pornography files
• 464 photos of "fetish material" on an iPhone, with 61 images depicting child pornography involving infants and toddlers
• 1,672 images "consistent with child pornography and associated erotica" on a laptop

Legal Proceedings and Bail Status

Despite the severity of the charges, Dorwart is currently out on bail:

• Unsecured bail was set at $250,000
• A preliminary hearing is scheduled for July 22, 2024

Impact on the Community

The ongoing case has sent shockwaves through the Lancaster County community, raising concerns about child safety and the effectiveness of the justice system in handling cold cases.

Legal Commentary From Our Team

Guy D'Andrea, Esq., a seasoned criminal defense attorney, offers his perspective on the case: "The filing of multiple charges in a cold case sexual assault investigation is not uncommon, especially when new evidence comes to light. However, it's crucial to remember that the accused is innocent until proven guilty. The prosecution will need to prove beyond a reasonable doubt that the evidence directly links Mr. Dorwart to these alleged crimes. The defense will likely scrutinize the methods used to obtain and analyze the electronic evidence, as well as any potential constitutional issues related to the searches conducted. As this case unfolds, it will be important to balance the pursuit of justice with the protection of the defendant's rights under the law."

Source:

https://www.abc27.com/local-news/lancaster/third-set-of-charges-filed-against-man-accused-in-90s-cold-case-sexual-assault-in-lancaster-county/