Macungie Man Who Has Worked as a Substitute Teacher Sentenced for Indecent Assault of Girl at Store

Sept. 25, 2025

— Jeff Ward, Lehigh Valley News Briefs

A 31-year-old Macungie man faces 9 to 23 months in Lehigh County Prison for indecent assault of a teenage girl at a store.

Jared Matthew Gerhard was sentenced today, according to Lehigh County District Attorney Gavin P. Holihan.

He grabbed the victim, a 17-year-old with autism, at a store, Holihan said. The girl screamed and Gerhard fled, but he was caught by Pennsylvania State Troopers as he tried to drive away at high speed.

Gerhard had worked at schools as a substitute teacher, Holihan said.

Here’s the statement from District Attorney Holihan:

Sept. 25, 2025

District Attorney Gavin P. Holihan announced a jail sentence for a man charged with indecent assault of a minor in Lower Macungie Township.

Jared Matthew Gerhard, DOB 4/10/1994, of Macungie, pleaded guilty in March to misdemeanor charges of Indecent Assault without the Consent of Another and Corruption of Minors.

Gerhard was sentenced today in a hearing before Judge Anna-Kristie M. Marks to serve 9 to 23 months in Lehigh County Jail and five years on probation. Gerhard was also designated a sexually-violent predator and will be required to register for the rest of his life under the Sex Offender Registration and Notification Act.

Gerhard had worked at various Lehigh County schools as a substitute teacher.

Around 5:30 p.m. on May 24, 2024, Pennsylvania State Police in Fogelsville received a 911 call that a female had been indecently assaulted in the Marshall’s store at 3900 Hamilton Blvd. in Lower Macungie Township.

The victim, identified as a 17-year-old girl with autism, reported that she was inside the store with her family when a man reached between her legs from behind and touched her between her legs. The victim screamed and Gerhard fled from the store.

Another witness from inside the store attempted to detain Gerhard, but was unable to do so.

As troopers arrived, they found a man driving his car at a high rate of speed through the parking lot and onto Mill Creek Road. The driver was stopped along Mill Creek Road and identified as Gerhard.

Inside Gerhard’s car, police found clothing and a toy from the store that Gerhard was carrying when he fled.