Mar 4, 2016 2 min read

A 71-year-old Center Township man was sentenced Friday by President Judge Farley Toothman to 17 to 40 years in a state prison for sexually assaulting a young girl.

Scottie Jessie James Montgomery, also known as James S. Montgomery, of 635 Claylick Road, Holbrook, pleaded guilty to 157 counts that included involuntary deviate sexual intercourse with a child, aggravated indecent assault of a child, indecent assault, corruption of minors and endangering the welfare of child.

Montgomery was arrested last year after the victim, who is now 18, told state police she was 5 or 6 years old when Montgomery began sexually assaulting her. She said she would sleep over at his residence, and while she was sleeping, he would come into the room, according to the complaint.

Police said the girl told them she would often wake up to Montgomery assaulting her and the acts continued until just shy of her 11th birthday.

Montgomery initially denied the girl’s allegations but later admitted sexually assaulting her at least 25 times from 2003 to 2008, according to the criminal complaint.

He was initially charged with rape of a child, incest, and statutory sex assault, but those charges were withdrawn.

The court recognized Montgomery as a sexually violent predator under Megan’s Law and he was also ordered to pay all court costs and a fine of $750.

“The sentence was within the sentencing guidelines that were established by the government,” said John Hardisty, Montgomery’s attorney. He declined to comment further on the case.

Montgomery was returned to Greene County Jail, where he has been held since pleading guilty in June.