Former Shields Elementary custodian sentenced in rape

LEWES – A 55-year-old man was sentenced to 25 years in state custody Friday after pleading guilty to raping a 14-year-old girl who prosecutors said he lured into sex by promising she could help him raise a puppy.

Frederick H. Massey Jr. of Lewes must spend the first 20 years of his sentence in prison before becoming eligible for work release, Superior Court Judge E. Scott Bradley ruled.

Massey, formerly a custodian at Shields Elementary School until his arrest in June 2013, had pleaded guilty in January to one count of third-degree rape.

The rape victim, who spoke in court before Massey’s sentencing, asked for the maximum possible sentence, which was 25 years.

Her sister and her mother, who also spoke, said the incident had driven the family members apart in many ways.

“I do not forgive him,” the teenage victim said through tears.

“I believe if he gets out, he will come after me.”

Massey’s attorney had asked Bradley to impose the minimum sentence of two years behind bars. In a statement to the judge, Massey apologized for the offense.

“My intention was not to groom anyone or seek out anyone. That is not who I am at all,” Massey said. “I am truly, truly sorry.”­

But Deputy Attorney General John Donohue pressed the judge for a sentence exceeding five years, the upper bound of the sentencing guidelines for third-degree rape. Bradley, in handing down the sentence, said he was unconvinced Massey was remorseful.

“You pursued a 14-year-old child to satisfy your sexual desires,” the judge told Massey. “She and her family have also been devastated by this. They will never recover from this.”