Insights from the Jerry Sandusky Investigation

Posted by Cathy Bene on Feb 05, 2017
 

as Investigated by Jonelle Eshbach, Esq.

 
Jonelle Eshbach, Esq., a modern super-hero protecting our innocent and vulnerable children, spoke to York East Rotarians on December 27, 2016 at their weekly breakfast meeting at Heritage Hills.  She discussed how she successfully investigated one of the most notorious and well-protected child predators of our time, Jerry Sandusky.  She described experiencing the “sickening” feeling like a pit in her stomach as the file with the famous name of Sandusky initially hit her desk in the Attorney General’s office. Sandusky was   accused of molesting a young boy.   
 

Eshbach, a Penn State alumnus and fan of the Nittany Lions,  had not only attended many of Penn State’s football games but also played in the Blue Band. She  had a Penn State wall in her office.  The legendary successes of the Penn State football team were defined by the leadership of Paterno and the likes of the linebacker coach and defensive coordinator, Jerry Sandusky..  Sandusky had also founded the  “Second Mile”, a non-profit  organization designed to help underprivileged and children at-risk.  This organization proved to be a source of potential victims for this serial child molester. Then, Chief Deputy Attorney General, Frank Fina, had appointed Eshbach to lead the investigation on the Sandusky allegations due to her “skill as a lawyer and experience in handling child sexual abuse cases.”Eshbach said that her decision to investigate and prosecute this Penn State legend was a choice between allegiance to Penn State vs her allegiance to do the right thing.  Not really much of a choice for her as she dove into the investigation with a vengeance. 

 
Eshbach explained that child predators such as Sandusky, win the “trust” of the children though kindness, attention and gifts such as sports equipment or tickets to athletic events.  During this “grooming phase” the molester typically  cultivates a friendship or bond with the child prior to the seduction.  Eshbach’s investigation led to the discovery of numerous victims, an ignored police complaint about reported molestation and the uncovering of additional witnesses.  Sandusky was ultimately convicted and sentenced to 30 – 60 years in prison.  Eshbach has said, “we sought justice and we got justice.  We took a serial child molester with a plethora of victims off the street.”
        
Her experience as a prosecutor began in York County working under District Attorney, Stan Rebert, for 12 years.  She then worked for 12 years in the Attorney General’s office under AGs Corbett and Kelly.
In 2012, until 2016, she was Associate  Chief Counsel for the Food and Drug Administration.  She has now come full circle, back home to York County to be in private practice with the Eveler De Arment law firm.  She has recently announced her candidacy in the 2017 election for York County DA where she will be able to continue to help victims of all crimes in our county including those against our youngest residents, the children.