A Pittsfield man has been deemed a sexually violent predator after a jury found him guilty of sexually assaulting a family member while the family was gathered for a funeral.

Troy A. Dew, 43, was before Judge Gregory Hammond on Thursday. He was found guilty at a jury trial held in April on charges of indecent assault and harassment.

According to the affidavit of probable cause, the alleged victim was riding with Dew from a funeral service to the funeral luncheon.

Dew told the woman he had to stop at his home and asked if she would help him take care of a stray cat he had taken in, according to the affidavit.

The woman told police she tried to catch the cat, could not, and started to return to the vehicle, according to the affidavit.

Dew allegedly came from behind and groped her, according to the affidavit. The woman was able to leave the building.

The first part of the proceeding was a hearing with a representative with the state Sexual Offender Assessment Board.

Brenda Mano, a member of the board, testified to Dew’s prior record: a 2000 conviction for statutory sexual assault with a 14-year-old victim; a 2014 simple assault conviction that included sexual elements and a 2022 conviction in Clarion County where Dew was convicted of assaulting a 7- to 8-year old stepdaughter in 2013.

Mano said Dew meets the criteria for unspecified paraphilic disorder. She also testified that he meets the definition of predatory in state statute.

Dew “takes an opportunity when he has access,” she said.

Chief Public Defender Kord Kinney raised issue with the simple assault conviction from 2014 factoring into this analysis but Mano stressed that her opinion would be the same if that conviction were not factored in.

Hammond affirmed the sexually violent predator determination that Mano presented.

The proceeding then shifted into the sentencing phase.

“Mr. Dew is a sexually violent predator who takes no responsibility for anything he’s done wrong,” District Attorney Rob Greene said, highlighting Dew’s assertion that the arresting officer and victim lied at trial.

“He doesn’t acknowledge any guilt,” he added. “Mr. Dew has completely torn apart this family.”

“I didn’t do it, your honor,” Dew said. “I’m innocent.”

He claimed that the DA’s office told Dew they were out to get him.

Hammond did not buy that assertion.

“You caused her trauma, anxiety and depression,” he said. “She demonstrated remarkable courage. … They (the jury) believed her the same as I did.”

He said Dew is to be sentenced in Clarion County on those charges in a couple weeks and cited Dew’s “conspiracy theories” presented in letters to the court.

“You have no ability to accept remorse,” Hammond added, noting he has “considerable concern” there is any “remote possibility” for rehabilitation.

Hammond sentenced Dew to the maximum possible penalty which, he noted, was the “only appropriate sentence.”

Dew was then sentenced on the indecent assault charge to 12 to 24 months incarceration in state prison, $625 in fines and fees, a no contact/communication order with the victim and her family, a fingerprint order, submission of a DNA sample and a mental health evaluation and compliance with treatment. Hammond also ordered sexual offender counseling and said Dew would not be paroled until that treatment was completed.

He was sentenced to an additional 45 to 90 days on a count of harassment.

Dew will also be required to register as a sexual offender for 15 years once he is released from prison.