Winfield man pleads guilty to 18...

LEWISBURG — A Winfield man accused of touching a 12-year-old girl and attempting to kiss her pleaded guilty to 18 non-traffic summary counts of disorderly conduct.Justin Herbster, 43, of Winfield, was scheduled to stand trial Sept. 11 before Union County Judge Michael Piecuch, but instead pleaded guilty to the summary offenses last week. A jury of seven men and five women had been selected in July for the trial.A pre-sentence investigation was ordered, and a sentencing date has not yet been scheduled.As part of the plea agreement, the original charges will be dismissed. They include four felony charges: three counts of indecent assault of a child under 13 and one count of corruption of minors; and three misdemeanor counts of indecent assault.The plea agreement, if accepted by the judge, calls for 1,620 days of probation. The probation cannot be terminated early, and Herbster must have no contact with the victim.District Attorney Brian Kerstetter said the plea agreement was made with the full approval of the victim.A ChildLine report was made March 5, 2025, alleging that a 12-year-old girl had been abused by Herbster at a residence in Union Township. During a forensic interview at the Geisinger Child Advocacy Center, the girl told investigators that Herbster touched her chest over her clothing and her upper thigh and attempted to kiss her numerous times, according to police.Police said Herbster referred to the girl as “his girlfriend” and would walk in on her while she was changing.Herbster remains free on $25,000 unsecured bail. He is represented by attorney Michael C. Morrone of Williamsport.