By Jane Smith
4/13/07
In what may be the biggest case of sex crimes against children in
Crawford Countys history, 28-year old David T. Cook of 1088 S.
Main St., Meadville, entered 14 guilty pleas Thursday in the
Crawford County Court of Common Pleas.
Law enforcement were alerted to the abuse after the children
revealed it and it came to the attention of their mother.
Meadville Police Department, the Crawford County District
Attorneys Office and Children and Youth Services became involved,
said Paula DiGiacomo, assistant DA, and used the child interview
center for a joint investigation.
The center was established to allow victims to be interviewed at
one time in a non-suggestive, non-leading manner, rather than
having them repeat their statements multiple times, easing some of
the trauma involved with these types of cases.
DiGiacomo called it one of the largest, if not the largest,
criminal cases involving sexual crimes against children.
Cook, handcuffed and wearing leg shackles, stood before President
Judge Gordon R. Miller, his head often bowed silently, as he
confirmed he had committed each of the 14 offenses for which he was
charged.
In exchange for the plea, 85 other charges were dismissed.
Its one of the largest (cases) in term of the number of counts
for sexual assaults in the last 13 years that Ive been here, said
DiGiacomo, who is the prosecuting attorney in the case.
Cook entered guilty pleas to six counts of involuntary deviate
sexual intercourse with children, two counts of rape, three counts
of criminal attempt to commit rape, two counts of criminal
solicitation to have children commit a criminal sexual offense, and
one count of indecent assault.
The charges involve three children two boys, ages 7 and 9; and
one girl, age 5.
Cook faces a mandatory five-year sentence and could face up to 425
years in a state prison and/or $335,000 in fines. Eight of the 14
counts call for a mandatory five-year sentence, but the court could
make the sentences concurrent instead of consecutive when Cook is
sentenced in July.
No date for the sentencing was set until Cook is tested by a state
board to determine whether he qualifies as a violent sexual
offender under the state Megans Law.
Miller questioned Cook on each of the 14 counts, ensuring that Cook
did in fact commit the offenses, saying he wouldnt accept a plea
from an innocent man.
Cook told the judge that police had told him the court would more
than likely go easier on him if he cooperated. However, Cook said
he would have cooperated without that, saying, I know I need
help.
I just want this to stop, Cook told Miller about why he
voluntarily spoke with police when questioned about the
incident.
