DANVILLE — While wiping tears from his eyes, a 62-year-old Montour County man told a judge that he takes full responsibility for his actions and should be punished, ultimately being sentenced to eight to 25 years in a state correctional facility for statutory sexual assault and involuntary deviate sexual intercourse with a girl younger than 16.

Luther J. Pfleegor Jr, of 275 Hilkert Road, Liberty Township, told Montour County President Judge Scott W. Naus on Wednesday that his actions were stupid and humiliating.

“I take full responsibility for my actions and should be punished,” he said.

Pfleegor was at the girl’s home July 30 and then the victim went to his home to spend the night so they could go on a motorcycle ride the following day, State Police at Milton said.

While at his home, Pfleegor had sex with the victim.

District Attorney Robert Buehner Jr said a report completed by the Sexual Offenders Board on April 13 classified Pfleegor as a sexually violent predator.

Pfleegor said he agreed with the report’s results.

His attorney, Timothy Reitz of Williamsport, made Naus aware that his client has no prior criminal history and he accepted responsibility for his actions since the beginning.

“Mr. Pfleegor has a deep, dark, evil side,” said Buehner. “He is a law abiding citizen on the surface, but the acts done in this case show him for what he is — a sexually violent predator.”

Two of Pfleegor’s daughters and a granddaughter approached the judge and each tearfully expressed their love and desire to have the man in their lives and not in jail. Each said they were not afraid to have him around their children and that he was the rock of their family.

Pfleegor kept his head lowered and frequently wiped tears during their pleading.

Ultimately, Naus sided with Buehner and made a sentence in the aggravated range. On the involuntary deviate sexual intercourse charge, Pfleegor was fined $1,000 and given a state correctional facility term of 6 1/2 to 20 years. The sexual assault charge resulted in 20 months to five years in the facility. The terms will run consecutively.