Allentown Man Faces as Long as 40 Years in State Prison for Rape of a Child, Other Offenses That Started When Victim Was Nine Years Old

Sept. 9, 2025

— Jeff Ward, Lehigh Valley News Briefs

Taron Dortch, 44, of Allentown, faces 20 to 40 years in state prison for rape of a child and other crimes, according to Lehigh County District Attorney Gavin P. Holihan.

The District Attorney’s office sought a longer sentence, according to Holihan. If Dortch gets out in 20 years, he’ll be 64.

The crimes occurred from 2019 through 2021 in residences in Allentown and South Whitehall Township, Holihan’s statement said. Dortch was in a relationship with the mother of the victim, who was ages 9 through 12 when assaulted.

Here are the facts according to Lehigh County District Attorney Gavin P. Holihan:

OFFICE OF THE DISTRICT ATTORNEY
LEHIGH COUNTY COURTHOUSE
Gavin P. Holihan
District Attorney
Sept. 9, 2025

District Attorney Gavin P. Holihan announced a state prison sentence for a man convicted of child rape and sexual assault charges.
Taron Dortch, DOB 3/31/1981, of Allentown, was convicted June 4, 2025 after a three-day jury trial of all charges including felony charges of Rape of a Child, Involuntary Deviate Sexual Intercourse with a Child, Sexual Assault, Aggravated Indecent Assault – Complainant Less than 13 Years Old, Corruption of Minors – Defendant Age 18 or Above and Endangering the Welfare of Children – Parent/Guardian/Other Commits Offense.
The District Attorney’s Office and the Office of Adult Probation both recommended that Dortch serve a sentence of 29 years to 58 years in State Prison. However, Judge Robert L. Steinberg sentenced Dortch to serve 20 to 40 years in state prison and 6 years of probation.
Dortch is also required to register for the rest of his life pursuant to Megan’s Law. A hearing to determine whether Dortch is a sexually-violent predator is scheduled for Nov. 4.
The offenses took place in 2019 through 2021 at various locations in Lehigh County including a home in Allentown and an apartment in South Whitehall Township. The victim’s mother was in a relationship with Dortch at the time of the offenses.
The victim was between the ages of 9 and 12 when the crimes occurred.
Evidence in this investigation was analyzed by the Officer David M. Petzold Memorial Digital Forensics Laboratory of Lehigh County.
This case was investigated by Lehigh County District Attorney Special Victims’ Unit Detective Gregg Dietz and was prosecuted by Senior Deputy District Attorney Sarah K. Heimbach and District Attorney Gavin P. Holihan.