Howard man sentenced to years in prison after child predator sting in Centre County
A Centre County man was sentenced Friday to seven years in federal prison for attempting to have sexual intercourse with an undercover officer who posed as a 15-year-old.
Christopher L. Crispen, 33, of Howard, was also sentenced by U.S. District Judge Matthew Brann to 10 years of supervision once he is released from prison. Brann recommended that Crispen serve his time at a federal prison in Union County.
Crispen pleaded guilty in May to one count of attempted enticement of a minor. He discussed engaging in sex acts and attempted to meet someone he believed was a teenager for sex, Patton Township police wrote in an affidavit of probable cause.
After being arrested in November 2023, Crispen told officers he planned to "(fool) around" with the fictitious teen and admitted he "knew what he was going to do was wrong," an officer wrote in a charging document.
A message left with defense lawyer Donald F. Martino was not immediately returned Friday afternoon.
Crispen was one of four central Pennsylvania men who were arrested last year after a joint investigation into child sexual exploitation in Centre County. All four were accused of seeking out sex with someone they believed was a teenager.
Gregory Wilson, 51, of Mifflin County, pleaded guilty in February to one count of attempted enticement of a minor. He was sentenced in June to 8 1/2 years behind bars and is serving his time at a federal prison in Kentucky. He's scheduled to be released Jan. 15, 2031.
Robert Mansberger, 59, of Huntingdon County, pleaded guilty in August to the same charge. His sentencing has not been scheduled. He is incarcerated at the Clinton County Correctional Facility.
Walter T. Sitosky Jr., 67, of Clearfield County, is expected to plead guilty Dec. 4 to the same charge as the three men before him. He is also incarcerated at the Clinton County Correctional Facility.
