Mifflinburg man sentenced to up to 71...

LEWISBURG — A Mifflinburg man found guilty of sexually assaulting a teenage girl at a hotel in Lewisburg in 2022 and 2023 will spend the next 193 months to 71 years in state prison.Union County Judge Michael Piecuch handed down the lengthy sentence to Timothy Alan Dowhower, 45, of Conley Road, Mifflinburg, on Thursday. Dowhower must also register for life as a Megan's Law offender, pay a $1,000 fine plus court costs and fees, and have no contact with the victim. He was given 87 days of credit.Following three days of trial in June, a jury found Dowhower guilty of six felonies: two counts of aggravated indecent assault of a person and one count each of unlawful contact with a minor, sexual extortion, endangering the welfare of a child and corruption of minors. He was also found guilty of 18 misdemeanor counts of indecent assault.Prosecutors said Dowhower sexually assaulted the victim when she was 14 and 15 at the Country Inn & Suites by Radisson, Lewisburg. The victim met Dowhower when she was 12 and became friends with his children.First Assistant District Attorney Phil Sassaman, the lead prosecutor, said Dowhower's actions were "extremely intentional and calculated." It was not a crime of opportunity or a one-time occurrence, but rather Dowhower controlled the circumstances with the single goal of sexually assaulting the victim.Dowhower apologized to the victim and her family, his parents and children, and everyone "impacted by my decisions." When Piecuch asked what exactly he was apologizing for, defense attorney Michael Rudinski of Williamsport advised him not to elaborate on his statement."I find it hollow," Piecuch said. "I find it lacking remorse and lacking responsibility."Piecuch noted Dowhower had a right to maintain his innocence, but said that his prospects of rehabilitation are low if he cannot accept his responsibility and the jury's decision.The victim, now 18, was not present, but a court representative read a letter from her. She said she cannot trust others, has trouble sleeping, still reacts to physical touches from friends and loved ones and is seeking therapy."Yes, it hurt me, but it did not break me," she said. "I will recover and continue living my life."Dowhower, who has been incarcerated at Columbia County Prison in Bloomsburg, has 10 days to file any post-sentence motions or 30 days to appeal to the Superior Court.