A Lower Macungie Township man has been sentenced to serve up to 23 months for his indecent assault of a teen in a department store in Lower Macungie Township, according to a news release from the office of the Lehigh County District Attorney Gavin P. Holihan dated Sept. 25.

Jared Matthew Gerhard, 31, was sentenced “to serve 9 to 23 months in Lehigh County Jail and five years on probation,” according to the news release.

Gerhard, who had worked as a substitute teacher at various schools in Lehigh County, 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,” according to authorities.

Gerhard pleaded guilty in March to indecent assault without consent of another and corruption of minors.

The charges are considered misdemeanors.

Gerhard was charged following an incident outlined by authorities as follows:

At approximately 5:30 p.m. March 24, 2024, Pennsylvania State Police troopers from the Fogelsville station were called to discount retailer Marshall’s, 3900 Hamilton Blvd., Lower Macungie Township, for a 17-year-old girl with autism who had been indecently assaulted.

The teen “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,” according to authorities.

A witness tried to stop Gerhard from leaving the store.

Gerhard was seen by troopers speeding through the store parking lot and onto Mill Creek Road.

Troopers stopped Gerhard on Mill Creek Road where he was identified and items from the store, including a toy and clothing Gerhard was carrying in the store, were found in the car, according to the news release.