Burlington Co. Man Sentenced For Trying To Sexually Assault Child In PA

BENSALEM, NJ — A Burlington County man convicted of trying to sexually assault a child in Pennsylvania was sentenced Wednesday to 6 to 12 years in prison.

The investigation began in December 2022, when Steven Boutte began a conversation with who he believed to be a 13-year-old female on a dating app.

The "13-year-old" informed Boutte of her age. But the Burlington resident continued to express his intent on having a sexual relationship with her, according to the Bucks County District Attorney's Office.

Over several days, Boutte engaged in a "very sexually explicit" conversation with the juvenile, authorities said. He expressed his desire and intent to meet her for sex, even after the juvenile told him multiple times that she was only 13 and attending middle school.

Boutte, 53, arranged to meet the juvenile for sex on Dec. 13, 2022, in Bensalem Township. When she canceled, he arranged another meetup three days later, the DA's office said.

In between the meeting dates, Boutte drove to the location and texted the girl. When Boutte showed up for the Dec. 16 meeting, the back seats of his station wagon were folded down, authorities said.

Boutte was convicted last December of criminal attempt to commit involuntary deviate sexual intercourse with a child, criminal attempt to commit statutory sexual assault, unlawful contact with a minor, and related charges.