Joseph Shimp

By Jillian Pikora From Daily Voice

A man is accused of repeatedly sexually assaulting an 8-year-old girl more than two decades ago, police announced on Tuesday, Oct. 28.

Joseph Shimp, 64, of 16 North Oak Street in Ephrata, was charged by Detective Victoria Mathews of the Ephrata Police Department following an investigation into assaults that allegedly occurred between 2002 and 2003, according to the affidavit of probable cause obtained by Daily Voice.

**WARNING THE FOLLOWING IS DISTURBING**

Shimp was charged with six counts of Felony Involuntary Deviate Sexual Intercourse With a Child, one count of Felony Rape of a Child, two counts of Felony Aggravated Indecent Assault, five counts of Indecent Assault, one count of Felony Unlawful Contact With a Minor, and one count of Misdemeanor Corruption of a Minor, police said and court records confirmed.

According to the affidavit, the victim, who was 8 years old at the time, told police in November 2024 that she was sexually assaulted by Shimp on five separate occasions between 2002 and 2003. Shimp would have been about 40 or 41 years old during the alleged assaults.

Investigators allege Shimp assaulted the child at multiple locations, including her family’s home and his residence on North Oak Street in Ephrata Borough.

On one occasion, the victim reportedly walked in on Shimp masturbating in a bathroom before he brought her to him and forced her to perform oral sex. In another instance, Shimp allegedly took the victim to a backyard fort where he penetrated her with his fingers and performed oral sex, according to the affidavit.

Shimp also assaulted the victim in his bedroom, in a tool shed on his property, and while she slept on his couch, detailing repeated acts of oral sex, digital penetration, and rape over a series of encounters, detectives said.

**WARNING THE ABOVE IS DISTURBING**

Shimp’s preliminary arraignment was held before Judge Torrey J. Landis at 12:45 p.m. on Tuesday, Oct. 28. His bail was set at $75,000 and later posted through a professional bondsman, according to court documents.

A preliminary hearing is scheduled for Wednesday, Nov. 19 at 1:30 p.m. before Judge Landis.