A registered sex offender convicted of having sex with a 4-year-old girl has been reelected as his Pennsylvania town's volunteer fire chief, and his mayor is standing by the vote.
According to WRAL.com, Spartansburg Fire Chief Roger Gilbert Jr., 43, was convicted in 2001 of sexual intercourse with the pre-school girl and was sentenced to up to 10 years in prison for "involuntary deviated sexual intercourse." He is now a felon and listed on Pennsylvania’s Megan’s Law database.
WRAL.com reported that Spartansburg Mayor Ann Louise Wagner said she and the firefighters have known of Gilbert’s past since he joined the department in 2010 and supports his reelection to his second term.
“I support the fire department and their decision to have him as chief, Wagner said, according to WRAL.com. “The firemen have always elected their own officers and that’s how it’s always been done. We don’t question their decisions.
WRAL.com reported that the child victim’s mother doesn’t believe Gilbert should be in a position where he could interact with children.
As for his own defense, Gilbert said he has turned his life around since the crime in 2000 and tries to do something good every day since his conviction, WRAL.com reported.
Spartansburg is a community of about 300 people located about 40 miles outside of Erie.
State police said each community can decided whether or not sex offenders can serve in offices at a local level after completing their sentences, WRAL.com reported.
