HAMMOND — A Hammond man who took pornographic photographs of two young girls he sexually abused while they were in his care was sentenced Friday to 24 years in prison and ordered to pay $111,200 to his victims.
David P. Geary, 51, had faced a maximum sentence of 30 years in federal prison after pleading guilty in July to production of child pornography.
The defendant was accused in December 2017 of coercing two minor girls to engage in sexual activity and photographing the acts.
One girl told police Geary began abusing her when she was 6 years old at his home in Hammond. A second victim, age 11, said Geary repeatedly groped her between 2012 and 2014 at the Hammond home. Geary would offer video games as bribes to continue the abuse, the child told authorities.
Geary was charged in Lake Criminal Court with child molestation, but federal authorities took over prosecution of the child pornography case. The defendant's wife, Sheila Geary, is also charged with possessing the pornographic photos of the children.
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The older victim provided a brief statement at a court hearing last month, telling Geary he "destroyed a family" and has "ruined a life."
As part of his sentencing, Geary must pay $55,600 to each victim in the case and, following his prison term, be placed on supervised release for the remainder of his life. He must also register as a sex offender.
The state's molestation case has been stayed while the federal case is pending.
Sheila Geary's case is scheduled for jury trial at 12:30 p.m. Feb. 25.
David P. Geary
Lauren Cross
North Lake County Reporter
Lauren covers North Lake County government, breaking news, crime and environmental issues for The Times. She holds a master’s degree in Public Affairs Reporting from UIS. Contact her at lauren.cross@nwi.com or 219-933-3206.
