A former manager at a Brookhaven pizzeria is headed to state prison after admitting he raped and exploited teenage employees who worked under him. On Friday, a judge sentenced 32-year-old Justin J. Pate to a 7½ to 15-year term and stacked on strict sex-offender controls that will trail him long after he gets out.
Plea, Sentence And Court Orders
According to Delco Times, Pate pleaded guilty in Delaware County Common Pleas Court to rape by forcible compulsion, corruption of minors, creating and possessing child sexual abuse material, unlawful contact with a minor and related counts.
Common Pleas Court Judge Stephanie Klein sentenced Pate to 7½ to 15 years in state prison, ordered that he register as a sex offender for life and granted him credit for time served dating back to Aug. 21, 2025. The court also directed Pate to provide a DNA sample, forfeit two cellphones, have no contact with the victims and serve five years of consecutive sexual-offender probation when he is released.
Prosecutors’ Account And Victims
Prosecutors told KYW Newsradio they have identified at least three victims, ages 15, 16 and 17. Delaware County District Attorney Jack Stollsteimer described the case as a pattern of grooming and abuse.
One victim was brought to Pate’s home and raped, according to investigators. Another was allegedly given alcohol and outfits in exchange for sexually explicit images sent to Pate. Authorities have asked anyone with additional information or concerns to contact law enforcement.
Evidence Authorities Say They Recovered
During the investigation, a forensic examiner and detectives uncovered multiple images and videos that prosecutors say are child sexual abuse material. Delco Times reports that a forensic examiner identified five images and one video on one device, while police recovered seven videos from another victim’s phone.
One victim told investigators she created about 20 videos and sent them to Pate via Snapchat. Another reported that she was raped multiple times between March and September 2021.
Impact And Community Response
Local prosecutors and residents say the case has become a grim reminder of how vulnerable young workers in small businesses can be when supervision fails. In comments reported by KYW Newsradio, Stollsteimer called the alleged conduct “very disturbing” and urged any other victims or witnesses to step forward.
Officials said a sex-offender assessment and any related civil review will continue while Pate serves his sentence. Prosecutors are asking anyone with tips or who believes they were victimized to contact Delaware County detectives or the district attorney’s office.
