He molested again after being on PA sex offender registry. Now he'll spend decades in prison
A 62-year-old Buckingham contractor will likely spend the rest of his life in state prison for molesting an 11-year-old boy, three months after his name was removed from the state’s list of registered sex offenders.
Jeffrey Todd Lukens was hired to remove bees from a Wrightstown home in September 2021 when he inappropriately touched and photographed the family’s son on two different days he was working on the project, according to authorities.
On Thursday, Bucks County Judge Raymond McHugh sentenced Lukens to spend 25 to 50 years in state prison. He also determined Lukens is a sexually violent predator, which carries a lifetime Megan’s Law registration and additional restrictions including community notification.
How Megan's Law works with offenders Police say a Bucks man molested boy months after Megan's Law registration expired. Here's how he was removed from list
What did prosecutors allege happened in a Wrightstown basement?
Lukens invited the boy to assist him and gave him a partial bee suit to wear.
The boy was on a ladder when Lukens inappropriately touched him, then lifted the boy’s shorts and took a cellphone picture of his thighs.
Lukens continued to touch the boy, moving his hand under the boy’s shirt. He again inappropriately touched the boy and the boy got off the ladder and left when he felt Lukens lift his underwear away from his body.
Four days later, Lukens returned to the home to finish the project. Before leaving he asked the boy if he could take a picture of his abdomen, lifting up his shirt without permission to snap a picture.
The boy’s parents reported the incidents to the Newtown Township Police Department later the same day. Police seized Lukens’ cellphone and uncovered deleted pictures of the boy.
Lukens was arrested and charged with felony counts of indecent assault of a person less than 13 years of age, unlawful contact with a minor and misdemeanor charges of corruption of minors, indecent assault and invasion of privacy. A jury convicted him of all charges in March following a three-day trial.
Contractor charged with molesting boy DA: Buckingham contractor molested boy in Wrightstown while removing bees from child's home
What do we know about Jeffrey Lukens' past?
Yes. In 2010, Lukens was convicted of molesting an 11-year-old boy in 2008. A Bucks County judge sentenced him to seven to 23 months in jail and three years probation.
He also ordered Lukens register as a sex offender and immediately comply with Megan’s Law, according to news reports at the time.
Lukens appealed but his conviction was upheld and he started serving his sentence in August 2012; he was paroled in March 2013.
How long was Jeffrey Lukens a registered sex offender?
It is unclear what year Lukens registered as a sex offender. His records with Megan's Law registry are no longer available.
Under Megan’s Law requirements in place when Lukens was convicted, his offense carried a 10-year registration period, which subjected him to restrictions and requirements including at least an annual check-in with state police, where he was photographed and his personal information updated. His information and photo appeared on the state's Megan's Law website.
As of 2012, convicted offenders are required to register with state police for 15 years, 25 years or lifetime, depending on the severity of the offense and if they are deemed a sexually violent predator.
Authorities confirmed that Lukens’ registration requirement expired in June 2021, at which time his name and personal information had been removed from the statewide registry.
Contractor found guilty of molestation Man hired to get rid of bee's nest found guilty of touching, photographing young boy
What happens after a Megan’s Law registration expires?
In Pennsylvania, once a Megan’s Law offender’s registration period expires, any evidence of its previous existence is purged. The removal is done without a formal process, evaluation or notification to anyone other than the offender.
State police, who oversee the registry, can appeal a court order that would remove an offender before a registration period expires, but they have no similar option when the period expires and the offender has met all qualifications.
This article originally appeared on Bucks County Courier Times: Buckingham contractor gets 25 to 50 years for molesting Buck County boy
