York County Man Sentenced to 20 Years for Online Sexual Abuse of Minor

York County Man Sentenced to 20 Years for Abusing Minor

York County, SC – A 64-year-old man was sentenced to 20 years in prison on Monday after pleading guilty to sexually abusing a girl he met online. The case has been described as one of the most disturbing seen in York County.

Who

John DiGeronimo of Alexandria, Virginia, was the perpetrator in this case. The victim, whose identity has been withheld for privacy reasons, was only 14 years old when she met DiGeronimo.

What

DiGeronimo faced over 130 charges but ultimately accepted a plea deal in which he pleaded guilty to one count of second-degree criminal sexual conduct with a minor. The plea deal was arranged to spare the victim from having to testify publicly about the events, which included three years of abuse.

Where

The abuse took place after DiGeronimo first contacted the victim while she was in the ninth grade in South Carolina. In March 2020, he was arrested in Virginia after distributing explicit images of the victim at her school.

When

DiGeronimo was arrested in March 2020. After spending nearly five years in jail awaiting trial, he received his sentence on October 21, 2024.

Why

DiGeronimo’s actions are not only shocking but have been labeled as a “murder of innocence” by law enforcement officials. In court, York County Sheriff Kevin Tolson remarked, “If this man were a dog, he would be put down.” DiGeronimo attempted to further harm the victim’s reputation by leaving explicit materials at her high school.

Details of the Abuse

DiGeronimo had met the victim online in 2017 and was reported to have made numerous visits to York County to engage in sexual activities with her. Prosecutors noted that after the victim sought to distance herself from DiGeronimo, he retaliated by distributing explicit photographs of her, designed to humiliate her.

Extent of the Crimes

Following his arrest, authorities discovered more than 1,000 explicit photos and videos of the victim, as well as numerous other child pornography materials involving other minors. This prompted the prosecution to describe DiGeronimo’s actions as malicious and calculated.

Community Impact

As Judge Dan Hall sentenced DiGeronimo, he emphasized the community’s need to understand the severity of online communication and its possible dangers regarding minors. The judge stated that this sentence could effectively serve as a life sentence given DiGeronimo’s age and the typical length of imprisonment.

Response from Legal Representatives

DiGeronimo’s attorneys argued that he is a flawed individual who deserves to be treated as a human being, but the prosecution countered by asserting that his actions aimed to destroy the victim’s life.

Final Remarks

In the absence of the victim in court, her family’s statements expressed the long-lasting scars left by DiGeronimo’s actions. The case serves as a stark reminder of the potential dangers posed by online interactions and the devastating effects of sexual abuse.