78-Year-Old Bethlehem Man Convicted of Sexual Assault of a Child, Faces Long Prison Sentence

Aug. 27, 2026

— Jeff Ward, Lehigh Valley News Briefs

A 78-year-old Bethlehem man was convicted of multiple crimes stemming from the sexual assault of a child, who was 4 years old when the abuse started.

At his age, Ronald Haberstumpf may spend the rest of his life in prison, as Lehigh County District Attorney Gavin P. Holihan said he faces a maximum sentence of as much as 101 years.

A statement from Holihan and Bethlehem Police Chief Michelle Kott said “The offenses happened between 2013 and 2017 at a home in Bethlehem. The victim was between the ages of 4 and 8 at that time and was known to the defendant. During this time period, the victim was repeatedly sexually assaulted by the defendant.”

How the crimes were brought to light was not disclosed in today’s press release. Haberstumpf will be sentenced in December.

Here’s the statement from District Attorney Holihan and Police Chief Kott:

OFFICE OF THE DISTRICT ATTORNEY
LEHIGH COUNTY COURTHOUSE
Gavin P. Holihan
District Attorney
Aug. 27, 2025

District Attorney Gavin P. Holihan and Bethlehem Police Chief Michelle Kott announce a Bethlehem man was convicted by a jury of numerous charges related to the sexual assault of a child.
Ronald Haberstumpf, DOB 02/03/1947, of Bethlehem, was convicted Aug. 26 after a one-day trial on all charges that include Involuntary Deviate Sexual Intercourse with a Child; Aggravated Indecent Assault of a Child; Unlawful Contact with a Minor – Sexual Offenses; Indecent Assault of a Person Less than 13 Years of Age; Corruption of Minors – Defendant Age 18 or Above and Endangering the Welfare of Children – Parent/Guardian/Other Commits Offense.
Haberstumpf faces a possible maximum sentence of 50.5 to 101 years and will be required to register under the Sex Offender Registration and Notification Act. He will be sentenced at 1:30 p.m. Dec. 9 before Judge James T. Anthony.
The offenses happened between 2013 and 2017 at a home in Bethlehem. The victim was between the ages of 4 and 8 at that time and was known to the defendant. During this time period, the victim was repeatedly sexually assaulted by the defendant.
This case was investigated Bethlehem Police Department Detective Pete Labiak and was prosecuted by Chief Deputy District Attorney Sara A. Moyer and Assistant District Attorney Lara Ormiston.