Two men sentenced for crimes against children in Pike County

Two Pike County men have been sentenced for crimes against children, District Attorney Raymond J. Tonkin announced on May 20.
Lester Daniel Masker, 59, was sentenced to 5 years to 10 years in a state correctional facility for the crimes of Aggravated Assault, Felony, and Corruption of Minors, Misdemeanor. Masker engaged in illegal acts with a child who was under the age of 12 between 2003 and 2005 at his residence in Palmyra Township. These crimes placed the child at risk of serious bodily injury due to her young age and vulnerability.
Masker, based upon prior convictions for Involuntary Deviate Sexual Intercourse, Incest, Indecent Assault, and Corruption of Minors, is considered a Sexually Violent Predator under Pennsylvania’s Sexual Offender’s Registration Notification Act. He is subject to registration for the remainder of his life.
Robert Edward Haas Sr., 76, was sentenced to a period of incarceration of 11 months to 23 months for the crime of Corruption of Minor, a felony offense. Haas was convicted of exposing his genitals to an 11-month-old child. Haas is subject to registration under the notification act as a result of his conviction for a period of 15 years.
Masker and Haas, upon release from incarceration, are ordered to refrain from contact with children under age 18 without supervision and not work at or frequent places where children under age 18 are present.
"The innocent victims in these cases were especially vulnerable to abuse due to their young age and these sexual offenders exploited them because of it," said Sarah Wilson, Senior Deputy District Attorney and prosecutor of these cases.
She applauded the vigilance of community members and law enforcement in identifying the abuse of these children and helping bring the perpetrators to justice.
“Our community can’t stand for this type of crime against children and our office will zealously prosecute those who prey on children," Wilson said.