A Fenelton man, charged with offering money for a sexual encounter with a 17-year-old boy, was sentenced to the Intermediate Punishment Program in Butler County Court on Thursday.

Gary L. Shay, 70, was sentenced to 60 months on the program, with the first 90 days on house arrest and electronic monitoring by county Judge William Shaffer.

Police said Shay offered a then-17-year-old boy $20 for a sexual act in Fairview Township. When he refused, he continued to up the price — eventually to $100.

After the boy again declined, he allegedly reached under a blanket the boy had over him, but the boy shoved Shay's hand away. Shay then asked the boy not to tell anyone what had happened, according to court documents.

The victim's mother, who spoke through tears, said the family has been “scrutinized and punished for the crime he (Shay) committed,” and they have “lived in fear of retaliation.”

A full report will appear in the Butler Eagle.