Contractor Convicted Of Indecent Assault On 11-Year-Old Newtown Boy

DOYLESTOWN, PA — A contractor was convicted on Wednesday of indecent assault and related charges for inappropriately touching an 11-year-old boy while working at the boy's home in 2021.

Following a three day trial, a Bucks County jury found Jeffrey Todd Lukens of Buckingham Township guilty on felony counts of indecent assault of a person less than 13 years of age and unlawful contact with a minor, along with misdemeanor counts of corruption of minors, indecent assault, invasion of privacy and disorderly conduct and summary harassment.

The assault happened in September 2021 at a Newtown Township home where Lukens was hired to remove bees from the basement. While working at the house, he inappropriately touched a boy and again four days later when he returned to finish the job, prosecutors said.

During closing arguments, Deputy District Attrorney Sarah K. Heimbach urged the jury to convict Lukens.

“I don’t know if this family will ever get that sense of safety and security back,” Heimbach said. “Finding this defendant guilty is a start.”

While working on the project on Sept. 2, 2021, prosecutors said the 62-year-old contractor invited the boy to assist him and gave him a partial bee suit to wear to protect his face and upper body.

The boy was on a ladder and using a reciprocating saw to remove the nest when Lukens inappropriately touched the boy, lifted the boy’s shorts and took a cellphone picture of his thighs, said prosecutors.

With the boy still on the ladder, prosecutors said Lukens continued to touch the boy, moving his hand under the boy’s shirt. He again inappropriately touched the boy. The boy got off the ladder and left when he felt Lukens lift his underwear away from his body, prosecutors said.

Lukens returned to the home on Sept. 6 to finish the project. Before he left, Lukens asked the boy if he could take a picture of his abdomen, lifting up his shirt without permission to snap a picture, prosecutors said.

The boy’s parents reported the incidents to the Newtown Township Police Department later that day. During the investigation, police seized Lukens’ cellphone and uncovered deleted cellphone pictures showing the boy’s thighs, lower stomach, and upper pubic area.

Common Pleas Judge Raymond F. McHugh deferred sentencing for 30 days.

The case was investigated by the Newtown Township Police Department and was prosecuted by Deputy District Attorney Sarah K. Heimbach.