A Northampton County jury acquitted former borough resident Richard E. Novack of child molestation charges Oct. 3, according to a story published by the Express-Times

Novack, 46, of Kingwood Township, N.J., had been accused of repeatedly molesting a Hellertown girl who is now 15, the article stated.

In spite of his acquittal on charges that included involuntary deviate sexual intercourse and terroristic threats, the Express-Times reported, Judge Edward Smith found Novack guilty of summary harassment for verbally abusing the girl.

Smith--who at one point admitted to molesting the girl, but later withdrew his guilty plea--was sentenced to serve three months in county prison and told the court that his reputation has been ruined by the charges, according to the story.