Former State Trooper Guilty Of Sexually Abusing Child In Chesco

WEST CHESTER, PA — A Chester County jury has found a former Pennsylvania State Trooper guilty of child rape and sexual abuse charges connected to the abuse of a girl when she was between 9 and 12 years old.

Darren Lawrence, 61, of Wilmington, Delaware, was found guilty of sexually abusing a child from 2006 to 2009. The abuse happened when the victim was left in the defendant's care, the District Attorney's Office reported.

Lawrence is a former Pennsylvania State Police Trooper. He was convicted this week of 19 counts of abuse, including rape of a child, involuntary deviate sexual intercourse, aggravated indecent assault, and related charges, the District Attorney's Office reported today.

He will be sentenced later.

Chester County District Attorney Deb Ryan said, "The victim endured sexual abuse at the hands of the defendant for three years when she was a child. This is another brave victim who courageously testified after many years of trauma perpetrated by a person she trusted. The defendant is one of the dozens of people held criminally responsible for child sexual abuse this year. My office will continue to vigorously prosecute anyone who abuses children and help bring justice to victims."

In February 2020, the victim, who is now over the age of 21, reported to Chester County Detectives that she had been sexually abused by the defendant when she was between 9-12. Investigators learned the defendant sexually abused the victim at least once a month when she was in his care from 2006 to 2009 at different locations in Chester County, including at his home in Kennett Township, the D.A.'s report said.

Judge Jacqueline Cody presided. Chester County Detectives investigated. DDA Erin O’Brien and ADA Karen Brindisi were the assigned prosecutors.

Chester County's D.A. recommends residents learn to recognize, react, and respond to child sexual abuse by signing up for a free virtual Stewards of Children workshop. Contact County Coordinator Katie Walters at kwalters@chesco.org or 610-344-6115 to sign up.

Call Childline if you suspect child abuse: 1-800-932-0313.

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