Ex-coach and Youth Pastor Jailed up to 80 Years for Sex Abuse of Boy
By Brett Hambright
A former local pastor and junior-high basketball coach will serve at least 30 years in prison for sexual abuse of a 13-year-old boy. Jonathan Masteller, 24, was recently sentenced in Lancaster County Court to 30 to 80 years in prison for the sexual assaults, which he also photographed and videotaped. Masteller pleaded guilty in July to 12 counts of sex abuse and faced a mandatory 10-year prison term. President Judge Joseph Madenspacher ordered consecutive sentences on four of the charges for the grand total of 30 to 80. It’s the longest prison term ever ordered in Lancaster County against a school official convicted of sex abuse, newspaper archives show. Madenspacher also deemed Masteller a "sexually violent predator,"meaning he must register his whereabouts with police for the rest of his life. Madenspacher called the boy "heroic" for speaking up about the abuse. Masteller knew the victim through his positions as coach and youth pastor, court documents show. He was formerly head junior high boys’ basketball coach at Pequea Valley School District and a substitute teacher there. The district terminated him in December 2013, when state police Trooper Linda Gerow filed charges. Masteller also was a youth pastor at Gap Community Church. The church dismissed him when charges were filed. Police reported that Masteller had sexual contact with the teen on at least six occasions. Assistant District Attorney James Reeder told Madenspacher the fact that Masteller "memorialized" his crimes with photos and videos "created great concern."
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