A former Jim Thorpe firefighter, charged with indecent assault on a minor less than 16, was sentenced on Monday morning in the county court to a prison term. The case took a long time making its way through the system.

Charles H. Leinthall, 55, of Jim Thorpe, was sentenced by President Judge Roger N. Nanovic II to serve two to 18 months in the county prison on the single count. In exchange for the plea, the district attorney’s office agreed to drop two counts of unlawful contact with a minor and one count each of indecent assault, without consent, and stalking, repeatedly commit acts to cause fear. He previously pleaded to the charge.

Leinthall was charged by Jim Thorpe police with making inappropriate contact with a female while inside the Fairview Hose Company at Ninth and School streets on the night of Nov. 5, 2018, while firefighters were conducting training. On that evening police said Leinthall touched the girl’s buttocks and crotch, and made a lewd comment toward her. He then allegedly threatened the girl if she told anyone.

Shortly after the charges were filed, Leinthall was dismissed as a firefighter and banned from entering fire company property.

On Monday, Leinthall at first hesitated when asked by Nanovic about touching the victim’s buttocks area, because a presentence investigation report prepared by the adult probation office indicated Leinthall disputed that claim. But after some consultation with his attorney, Matthew J. Mottola, of the public defender’s office, he agreed he made inappropriate contact with the girl.

The case took a long time through the system because Mottola challenged the finding of the state sexual offenders assessment board which determined Leinthall had to register as a sexual offender.

Mottola said the charge his client pleaded to did not apply to the standard required in Megan’s Law registration. He filed a petition disputing the registration requirement. Nanovic recently ruled on the petition stating Leinthall did not have to register as a sexual offender. Nanovic noted District Attorney Michael S. Greek did not oppose the petition.

Mottola said Leinthall has mental health and developmental issues. Leinthall admitted having difficulties comprehending things.

In addition to the jail term, Nanovic ordered Leinthall to get a mental health evaluation and follow any recommendation for treatment, submit to a sexual offenders evaluation, supply a DNA sample, have no contact with the victim or her family, pay court costs of about $1,000 and pay a $50 per month supervision fee while on parole.

He was given credit for 28 days already served on the charge and will begin serving the remaining time at 10 a.m. on Feb. 11. The delayed start to the prison term is due to a COVID-19 flare-up at the county prison.