Child rapist sentenced for sexually abusing boy days after release from jail

Feb. 17--EASTON -- For raping a young boy in Easton, Robert A. Lisinichia served 15 years in state prison before he was released in late 2014.

Within days of returning to the streets, Lisinichia was sexually abusing another child.

"If my calculations are correct, he was out of jail no more than a month," Northampton County Judge F.P. Kimberly McFadden said at sentencing Wednesday. "I don't even think it was a month."

At 60 and in failing health, Lisinichia is now looking at another seven to 14 years in a penitentiary, under a plea bargain in which he admitted to two felonies of indecent assault, as well as to failing to register as a sex offender as required.

In imposing the sentence, McFadden noted that Lisinichia is a high risk to offend again, and that he didn't dispute that he is a sexually violent predator, a designation that will bring enhanced reporting and counseling requirements if he is ever released again.

From the middle of October 2014 to January 2015, Lisinichia sexually assaulted a 12-year-old boy, later claiming to police that they had a "sexual relationship," according to court records.

The abuse ended only after Lisinichia was jailed in Lehigh County, where he was arrested for failing to register with state police under Megan's Law.

Even inside Lehigh County Jail, Lisinichia's contact with the boy continued, police said. In a telephone conversation that was recorded, Lisinichia told the boy "he loved him, he misses him" and asked if they were "still in a relationship," police said.

Lisinichia's prior case involved the sexual abuse of a boy who authorities said was 6 and 10 years old when he was assaulted. In 2000, Lisinichia received a six- to 15-year prison term after pleading guilty to a sex-offense charge and corrupting a minor.

On Oct. 12, 2014, Lisinichia completed that sentence and was released from Mahanoy State Prison in Schuylkill County, according to the state prison system.

Wednesday's sentencing almost didn't go forward after Lisinichia threatened to withdraw his guilty plea after his lawyer, Evan Hughes, sent an associate to cover the proceeding. But after McFadden permitted Lisinichia to speak privately by phone to Hughes, the inmate opted to go forward.

Lisinichia was in court in a wheelchair and was hooked to oxygen due to chronic lung disease. Defense attorney Zak Goldstein noted Lisinichia's ailments in asking McFadden to accept the plea bargain.

Lisinichia "is 60 years old and, as the court can see, in very poor health," Goldstein said.

Lisinichia offered brief words of remorse.

"I apologize, you know, for what I have done," he said.

riley.yates@mcall.com

610-253-5751

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