Montco Youth Center Employee Sentenced For Sexually Assaulting Teen

A counselor at a youth center has been sentenced to prison after sexually assaulting a teenage girl in his care.

Joel Spring, 34, of Philadelphia, has been sentenced for the alleged sexual assault of an 18-year-old female resident at the Montgomery County Youth Center for dependent youth in Eagleville, according to court documents.

Springer, who was employed as a youth and family advocate at the 12-bed shelter, sexually assaulted the girl twice on Saturday, Aug. 27, 2016, the DA said.

Authorities said that the teen was walking through the shelter with Springer to get ice, according to the victim's statement. They then entered an empty classroom where the first alleged rape took place, according to the DA.

The pair then left the building and then soon returned to the juvenile courtroom at the center. Springer allegedly shoved the teen to the ground and sexually assaulted her again.

Many of the residents at the youth center are housed there because they are awaiting hearings which occur at the adjoined courtroom.

The youth center is located on 540 Port Indian Road in Eagleville.

Image via Montgomery County District Attorney's Office