Child Rapist gets 20 – 40 Years in Prison

COUDERSPORT – A Coudersport man, who was convicted of raping a 10-year-old girl multiple times – once making her 6-year-old brother watch – has been sentenced to a total of 20 – 40 years in state prison.

Twenty-year-old Matthew Lawton was sentenced on Monday, Sept. 10 in Judge Stephen Minor’s courtroom on a number of felony charges, including Rape of a Child(F1), Involuntary Deviate Sexual Intercourse(F1), Aggravated Indecent Assault of a Child(F1), Indecent Assault Person less than 13 Years of Age(F3), and Corruption of Minors(M1).

Lawton was arrested by TFC Glenn C Drake II in July of 2010 after police interviewed the victim and her family at the hospital.

According to testimony by family members and court documents, the rape happened while the victim, her brother, and her parents were visiting a home at 177 Long Rd. in Allegany Twp., belonging to Nancy Langan. At the time, the victim’s parents, as well as Langan and her husband, were on a bike ride, according to court records. While the family was preparing to depart, Lawton allegedly confessed to inappropriately touching the girl.

In addition to prison time, Lawton was ordered to perform 300 hours of community service, pay a total of $7,096 in court costs, fees and fines, and have no contact with the victim or her family.