"Predator" who abused three girls gets state prison sentence
Apr. 30—A Scranton man arrested last year for sexually abusing three young girls will spend at least 10 years in a state prison, a Lackawanna County judge ordered Friday.
Anthony R. Show victimized girls who were younger than 10 and inflicted trauma they will carry for the rest of their lives, Judge Andy Jarbola said during a virtual hearing.
"You're to be sentenced appropriately in that regard," the judge said.
Show, 33, 819 River St., was sentenced Friday to state prison for 10 years, two months to 20 years, four months. He pleaded guilty Dec. 9 to aggravated indecent assault of a child, indecent assault and corruption of minors, according to court records.
The Times-Tribune does not identify victims of sexual assault.
Deemed a sexually violent predator, Show must also register as a sex offender for the rest of his life.
Dr. Mary Muscari, a forensic psychiatric nurse and criminologist, evaluated Show for the state's Sexual Offenders Assessment Board and testified Friday that Show meets the criteria for a diagnosis of pedophilia.
Show's conduct also fits the criteria of a sexually violent predator, she testified, which Jarbola said was established "beyond a reasonable doubt."
The victims were children whom Show had contact with in 2016 and 2017 in the city, according to a criminal complaint filed last summer by Detective Jeff Gilroy. Show used that access to abuse them, an indicator that his behavior was predatory, Muscari testified.
The victims disclosed during forensic interviews in June at the Children's Advocacy Center of Northeastern Pennsylvania that Show told each of the girls to stay silent about the abuse.
According to police, Show, wearing no pants, waited in the bedroom of one child and her to come closer when she entered the room. She ran and screamed, but no one heard her.
They described sex acts with Show, with one of them telling authorities Show threatened to harm her if she spoke out.
Show declined to speak during the hearing. His attorney, Doug Vanston, called it "an incredibly tragic case." Show understands the damage he's caused and accepts responsibility for it, Vanston said.
"He's remorseful," Vanston said. "He understands the impact of what he did and it's a daily struggle for him."
Contact the writer: jkohut@timesshamrock.com, 570-348-9100, x5187; @jkohutTT on Twitter.
