COURT VERDICT Sharon man convicted of abusing boys

MERCER, Pa. -- A Sharon man convicted of 48 counts in the sexual abuse of two young boys never took the stand in his own defense during a two-day trial.
A jury found Dean L. Custer, 46, of Logan Avenue, guilty of six counts of rape, eight counts of involuntary deviate sexual intercourse, 14 counts of aggravated indecent assault, 14 counts of indecent assault, four counts of indecent exposure and two counts of statutory sexual assault. The verdicts were handed up Wednesday. He will be sentenced later this summer.
Authorities accused Custer of having illegal sexual contact with two young boys over a period of six years, starting in summer 1994 when the boys were just 4 and 9 years old.
The attacks, which occurred numerous times at several locations, ended in the summer of 2000, police said.
The attacks occurred while Custer was living with the victims' mother, police said.
He was arrested in July 2003 after a lengthy investigation by police and Mercer County Children & amp; Youth Services.
Neil McEwen, county assistant district attorney, prosecuted the case. Testimony began Tuesday.