SCRANTON, LACKWANNA CO. (WOLF) — A Scranton man has been convicted on multiple charges following a jury trial involving the sexual assault of an intellectually disabled woman, according to the Lackawanna County District Attorney’s Office.
Prosecutors say 40-year-old Mario Valentine, formerly of Lafayette Street, was found guilty after a four-day trial before Judge Michael J. Barrasse. The jury deliberated for about 90 minutes before returning a verdict convicting Valentine of rape of a mentally disabled person, aggravated indecent assault, and indecent assault.
The charges stem from an incident in January 2024, when Scranton police responded to Geisinger Community Medical Center after receiving a report that an 18-year-old woman had been sexually assaulted. Investigators later determined Valentine was responsible for the assault, which occurred earlier that night.
District Attorney Brian Gallagher condemned the crime in a statement, saying, “The abhorrent actions of the Defendant show his need to be removed from society. There is no more repugnant conduct than the sexual assault of the mentally disabled and our hearts go out to the victim. We are glad that justice was served and the jurors held the Defendant accountable for his repulsive actions.”
Valentine now faces a potential sentence of up to 35 years in prison. Officials say he will also be required to register as a sex offender for life under Pennsylvania law.
The case was investigated by Scranton police, the Pennsylvania State Police Crime Lab, and the Children’s Advocacy Center of Northeastern Pennsylvania. Prosecutors from the district attorney’s office handled the case in court.
Sentencing is expected at a later date.