Pennsylvania Man Sentenced to Seven Years in Prison for Attempted Aggravated Sexual Assault

TRENTON — Attorney General Jennifer Davenport, the Division of Criminal Justice, and the New Jersey State Police announced that a Pennsylvania man was sentenced today to seven years in New Jersey state prison for attempting to sexually assault someone he believed was a minor.

Hank W. West, 45, of Chester, Pennsylvania, previously pleaded guilty to one count of second-degree attempted aggravated sexual assault. Under terms of the plea agreement, West will have to serve at least 85 percent of his sentence before becoming eligible for parole. He will also have to register as a sex offender under Megan’s Law and will be on lifetime parole supervision. Superior Court Judge Aimee R. Belgard imposed the sentence today in Burlington County.

“Our office is dedicated to protecting our children – physically and online,” said Attorney General Davenport. “The defendant in this case exploited an online dating app to gain access to a child for the purpose of committing sexual assault, Thanks to the work of law enforcement, this defendant has been held accountable. Our office will continue to use all tools available to keep our kids safe.”

“The defendant in this case was going to sexually assault who he thought was a child and was prepared to do so when law enforcement stepped in and arrested him,” said Interim DCJ Director Nye. “Today’s sentence demonstrates that any attempt to hurt a child will not be tolerated.”

“When someone attempts to harm a child, they assault innocence itself,” said Jeanne Hengemuhle, Superintendent of the New Jersey State Police. “This sentence reflects the seriousness of that offense and underscores our duty to safeguard one of our most vulnerable populations.”

According to documents filed in this case and statements made in court, on February 9, 2025, West contacted an undercover New Jersey State Police investigator on a mobile dating app. The undercover officer was posing as a mother with a 12-year-old child. West communicated with the undercover officer about his desire to sexually assault the child. West arranged to meet with the officer, posing as the mother and her child, at a hotel in Bordentown, New Jersey, for the purpose of sexually assaulting the child. Upon his arrival, he was arrested and admitted his involvement in planning with an adult female to meet at a hotel to sexually assault the child.

The case was prosecuted by Deputy Attorney General Sean Lindenau.

Defense counsel: Paul D. Colangelo, Esq., Camden, New Jersey

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