Freeland man convicted of child abuse

WILKES-BARRE — A Freeland man accused of mentally and physically abusing three children was sentenced Thursday to up to five years in state prison.

Lucerne County President Judge Michael T. Vough sentenced Russell J. Hauze Jr., 52, to two to five years in prison on three counts of corruption of minors and two counts of sexual extortion. Hauze pleaded guilty on June 24.

Hauze was charged by Freeland police in February 2023 after investigating a ChildLine report received in October 2022.

Two teenagers and a girl were interviewed by a forensic interviewer at the Luzerne County Children’s Advocacy Center in Wilkes-Barre.

During interviews, the two boys said Hauze regularly grabbed their genitals, punched them in the stomach and chest and forced them to perform sexual acts, according to court documents.

The teen reported Hauze made comments about her body and opened a shower curtain while she showered, court records show.

Hauze was also ordered by Vough to serve 14 years of probation upon his release from state prison.

Hauze has been classified as a sexually violent offender and is required to register his address for life under the state’s Sex Offender Registration and Notification Act.

Pennsylvania Assistant Attorney General Rachael M. Coleman was prosecuted.