West Oak Lane man convicted of rape and sex trafficking a minor

A 37-year-old West Oak Lane man was convicted Wednesday of multiple counts of rape, promoting the prostitution of a minor and related crimes in connection with his attacks on a 14-year-old girl he forced into prostitution.

Jason Guerra faces a maximum penalty that would put him in prison for the rest of his life when sentenced May 20 by Common Pleas Court Judge Diana Anhalt, the District Attorney's Office said in a statement.

Over a seven-month period after meeting the victim in 2012, Guerra raped her and then forced her to have sex with men at various hotels in the city and in Chester up to eight times a day. On several occasions, he beat and threatened to kill her if she did not continue to work for him. The victim was intimidated by seeing Guerra beat other young women he was trafficking.

"I thank the jury for their verdict today," Williams said in a statement. "This child and the other young women who testified showed tremendous courage in facing their tormentor." - Staff