Duryea man sentenced in indecent assault

 WILKES-BARRE – A man charged with inappropriately touching an 8-year-old boy was sentenced Monday to 30 to 60 months in state prison.John J. Hunt, 46, of Dickson Street, Duryea, was sentenced by Luzerne County Judge David Lupas on a charge of indecent assault stemming from the September 2011 incident. Lupas deemed Hunt a sexually violent predator after Hunt’s attorney, Joseph Saporito, said his client did not contest an evaluation by state Sexual Offenders Assessment Board member Paula Brust determining Hunt met the criteria. The determination requires Hunt to register his address under Megan’s Law for his entire life. Hunt had been free on bail, but was lodged at the Luzerne County Correctional Facility on Monday to await transportation to a state prison. Hunt told Lupas that his life has been greatly affected by an alcohol addiction, and that since the September 2011 incident he has stopped drinking, began attending Alcoholics Anonymous meetings and is leading a better life. Hunt asked Lupas for a sentence of house arrest, or a similar sentence, so that he can provide for his family while getting the help he needs. Several of Hunt’s family members testified Monday they do not feel he meant to intentionally hurt the boy, but the alcohol took over, as alcoholism runs in the family. Assistant District Attorney Maureen Collins said she believes Hunt’s problem is more than just a drinking problem and alluded to Hunt’s criminal record, which includes other similar incidents in the 1990s. “He has a problem touching young (males),” Collins said, noting she did not feel a sentence of house arrest was appropriate and asked Lupas to consider a jail term. According to court papers, on Sept. 2, 2011, the mother of the boy contacted police, alleging Hunt had inappropriately touched the boy. The boy, who is known to Hunt, told family members that Hunt touched him while the two were lying in a bed and that the boy was very upset. Police said they later spoke with Hunt about the allegations and he said he was intoxicated. Hunt said he did not remember touching the boy, and he was told by his wife that when they are asleep in bed together and Hunt is drunk “his hands wander.” Hunt told police that if he did touch the boy, he may have thought the boy was his wife due to his level of intoxication, according to the criminal complaint.