A Shippenville man was sentenced Wednesday in Clarion County to serve from 40 to 80 years in a state prison for the rape of a child.
Garrick Landon Bloom, 47, had pleaded guilty last month to five counts of the rape of a child. He had originally been charged with 216 felony counts of statutory sexual assault and endangering the welfare of a child.
Bloom, thinner, with shorter hair and without his glasses, initially said he had nothing to say and then added, “I’m sorry.”
Arner said it appeared Bloom would commit another crime if he wasn’t committed. The judge added that a lesser sentence would depreciate the seriousness of the crime.
“This is a life sentence for the victims as well,” said Arner. “The effect on these kids is a lifelong burden that no amount of counseling or medication can take away.”
Bloom received credit for 181 days he had already served.
He will also be required to register as a tier 3 sex offender, which requires a lifetime registration of location and identity verification.
The boy told police the assaults began when he was five years old and continued for several years. Bloom initially denied committing the crimes but later admitted to sexually assaulting the boy.
A warrant was issued for Bloom’s arrest on Jan. 16, but he fled Clarion County. He was located in a homeless shelter in Tallahassee, Florida, and was taken into custody Feb. 7.