Delco Man Convicted Of Raping, Sexually Assaulting 2 Teens: DA

A Delaware County man was convicted Friday of raping a 15-year-old girl and sexually assaulting a 17-year-old girl in 2017 and 2016, according to authorities.

Delaware County District Attorney Katayoun M. Copeland said Samuel James Shiels, 18, of the 800 block of Bethel Avenue, Upper Chichester, was convicted of sexual abuse charges including rape of a 15-year-old girl in May 2017 and sexual assault of a 17-year-old victim in October 2016.

Following a jury trial before Delaware County Court of Common Pleas Judge Richard M. Cappelli, Shiels was found guilty of following of rape, sexual assault, indecent assault, and invasion of privacy, the DA's office said.

Shiels will be sentenced on Dec. 17 and faces up to 7 to 14 years in state prison, as well as lifetime Megan’s Law registration.

On May 19, 2017, Shiels drove a 15-year-old girl, and a 17-year-old girl, to his grandparent's home in Concord Township, which was not occupied at the time, the DA's office siad.

There, he covered up the security cameras, then they drank vodka and smoked marijuana, provided by Shiels, while in the hot tub, according to authorities.

Afterwards, they got changed, and went into the home.

The DA's office said the 15-year-old victim fell asleep on the couch then woke up to Shiels kissing her and she asked him to stop. He continued to sexually assault her, and then raped her despite her efforts to stop him, according to authorities. Investigators later searched Shiels' cell phone and found he took a photo of the girl's partially nude behind without her knowledge or consent earlier on the same day that he raped her on May 19, 2017.

In a separate incident, in October 2016, Shiels gave alcohol and then sexually assaulted the 17-year-old girl while at his parent’s house in Upper Chichester, the DA's office said.

"In the case of Samuel Shiels, he provided two minors with drugs and alcohol, and in two separate incidents, sexually assaulted the victims while they were vulnerable, intoxicated, and asleep," Copeland said. "As a sexual predator, he will be held accountable for his actions and is facing lifetime Megan’s Law Registration. Both victims in this case demonstrated incredible courage by coming forward and reporting this predator, who they believed was their friend, providing detailed testimony during the trial, helping us ensure that he will not harm anyone else. I would also like to commend Assistant District Attorney Ryan Grace for bringing this case to justice, Pennsylvania State Police Trooper Francis Pawlowski for his thorough investigation and Lauren Ciatteo of the Delaware County Women Against Rape who provided advocacy and support for the victims in this case."

Assistant District Attorney Ryan Grace prosecuted the case on behalf of the Commonwealth. The investigation was led by Pennsylvania State Police Trooper Francis Pawlowski. Lauren Ciatteo of the Delaware County Women Against Rape provided advocacy and support for the victims in this case.

Image via Delaware County District Attorney's Office