Arrest made in 1997 cold case involving sexual assault in Lancaster Co.

LANCASTER COUNTY, Pa. (WHP) — After decades of searching for answers, authorities believe they may have finally found the man responsible for crimes done to children on the side of the road.

According to Pennsylvania State Police (PSP) in Lancaster, the crimes were committed back on Apr. 4 of 1997 after officers responded to a sexual assault that happened on West Newport Rd. in Leacock Township.

Criminal records show that a father called law enforcement to investigate, after his daughter told him that a man in a blue van approached them while she was playing with her brothers.

The young girl told her concerned dad that the man offered her $1 to touch him, which she did.

Following this, police say the man then sexually assaulted the juvenile, having the child perform oral sex on him.

The other victim that was sexually assaulted is unclear at this time.

Later in 2002, PSP received information leading to them determining Eric Dorwart as a suspect in the case.

Authorities say Dorwart, now 54 years old, was arrested on Tuesday of 2023 after testing DNA evidence that linked Dorwart to the crimes.

Dorwart is currently being charged with involuntary deviate sexual intercourse, indecent assault, and two counts of corruption of minors.