Dec 15, 2017 3 min read

WAYNESBURG – A Crucible man previously convicted of sexually assaulting a young girl pleaded no contest to another case with similar charges Friday.

Leonard L. Glendenning, 50, of 431 E. Fifth Ave., had no reaction in the courtroom as he was sentenced in one case and pleaded in the other.

He was previously found guilty of sexually assaulting a young girl several times between 2010 and 2014 when she was between the ages of 9 and 14 after a two-day trial in March.

Greene County Judge Lou Dayich sentenced Glendenning to 2 ½ to five years in prison for aggravated indecent assault, endangering the welfare of a child and corruption of minors. Dayich acknowledged that due to an unrelated court ruling involving sexually violent predator status, that demarcation was removed from his conviction. However, Glendenning will need to register as a sex offender for the rest of his life.

Glendedding also pleaded no contest Friday in another case where a woman accused him of sexually assaulting her in 2000 when she was 13. Dayich sentenced him to one year of probation for an amended charge of corruption of minors, with the state dismissing the remaining charges. This sentence was ordered to be served concurrently to the 2 ½ to 5 years Glendenning received just prior.

Before the proceedings began, Glendenning, looking visibly upset, spoke to his lawyer Gary Graminski and a family member in attendance.

“I just can’t get over how somebody’s lies can do so much damage,” he said.

Glendenning has never admitted guilt in either case. At his trial, he denied the allegations and his ex-wife, Sharon Glendenning, claimed in testimony the victim made up her testimony.

First Assistant District Attorney Brianna Vanata argued the victim had no motive to confide in a camp counselor about these events if they were made up. The one victim came forward about the abuse at a church camp last summer.

Vanata said the victim in the trial case had nothing to add for Glendenning’s sentencing. The second victim indicated she was not interested in traveling back to the area for a trial since she has moved away. Vanata said the victim was content with the resolution in the first case and would like to see her case resolved as well.

When asked if he was interested in the court being aware of anything for sentencing purposes, Glendenning explained his many health complications and the issues he has with the care he’s received while incarcerated in the county jail since the charges were filed in August 2016. Graminski emphasized his client was not seeking sympathy, but rather proper medical care.

Dayich then asked if there was anything else in regards to sentencing he would like to add, and Graminski said, “He indicated he doesn’t know what to say.”

“I’m not used to being outgoing,” Glendenning said. “This is very hard to deal with.”