Crime & Safety
Former Borough Man Acquitted of Child Molestation
Richard E. Novack was, however, found guilty of harassment.
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.
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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.
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