Camden County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office sentences sexual predator to prison

The Camden County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office on Thursday announced the sentencing of a sexual predator for several offenses against a child.

Andrew Wayne Lester was sentenced to 20 years each on five counts of first-degree statutory sodomy involving a child under the age of 12.

Lester was convicted by a jury on April 17 and waived his right to jury sentencing.

According to the prosecutor’s office, the investigation into Lester started when a child under the age of 12, who knew Lester, reported the inappropriate contact to another adult.

Prosecuting Attorney Heather Miller thanked the victim and their and caregivers after Lester’s sentence was released on Thursday.

Miller said, “Their unrelenting courage is what made this conviction possible. This child made the conscious decision to speak out — not only to stop this assault but to protect those younger children who could not speak for themselves. I am lucky to have known them and I am humbled by their bravery.”

If you suspect child abuse or a child reports abuse to you, please call the Children’s Division Hotline at 1-800-392-3738.