Downingtown West janitor convicted of sex offenses against students

A 25-year-old former Downingtown West High School quarterback was convicted Thursday of multiple sex offenses against three girls he befriended while working as a janitor at the school.

A Chester County Court jury found Joseph C. Nicholson, 24, a father of two, guilty of involuntary deviate sexual intercourse, aggravated indecent assault, and related offenses.

Nicholson faces a minimum of 10 years in prison.

Assistant District Attorney Christin C. Kubacke praised the victims' "tremendous courage in testifying," adding that they encountered some hostility from classmates because of Nicholson's popularity.

The girls, two of whom were 15 and one who was 16 when the offenses occurred, are not being identified by The Inquirer because of their age and the nature of the charges. They testified, sometimes tearfully, that Nicholson showered them with attention and compliments before seeking sex with them.

John Nodecker, the high school's former principal, testified that he was shocked by Nicholson's initial response to the charges during a meeting with school officials: "What am I supposed to do? These girls throw themselves at me." He resigned two weeks later.

The case began after one female student told a school official that her friend was romantically involved with Nicholson. When investigators reviewed school surveillance video in that case, the first victim was not the only girl observed following Nicholson into empty classrooms.