Montour County couple confesses to sexual assault of juvenile

Danville, Pa. — A couple living in Danville confessed to having three-way sex with a 15-year-old during interviews with Pennsylvania State Police.

Dennis James Aikey, 43, and Bethany Landis, 38, both of Danville told police about the abuse during interviews at the end of June, Trooper James Nestico said. Aikey initially admitted to having sex with the child, but when confronted by police with a confession from Landis, he came clean about the additional instances that had involved Landis, Nestico added.

The victim was interviewed at the Child Advocacy Center in Sunbury at the beginning of June, according to the complaint. She claimed to be 15 years old in the fall of 2023 when Aikey touched her vagina for the first time. Aikey confessed to having intercourse with the victim while at his cabin in Clinton County, Nestico wrote in his report. The victim allegedly told police they had intercourse a second time at Aikey’s house, located in the 1000 block of Front Street in Danville, according to Nestico.

Aikey voluntarily went to PSP Milton at the end of June and agreed to be interviewed, Nestico said. According to Nestico, Aikey confessed to having sex and touching the victim at his cabin and at his home. Aikey, who lived near the victim, claimed to be very familiar with her.

Landis was interviewed the same day, according to police. Landis allegedly confessed to having three-way intercourse with Aikey and the victim. She claimed it happened at both Aikey’s cabin and home, according to the complaint. Landis allegedly admitted the victim was 15 years old at the time of the assaults.

Aikey was interviewed again by troopers the same day, according to Nestico’s report. In that interview, Aikey admitted to having intercourse with Landis and the victim, Nestico said. Aikey claimed he had intercourse with the victim four times, Nestico added.

The victim told investigators Aikey "has had sex with her approximately 17 times" since the summer of 2023 during a second interview at the beginning of the month, Nestico wrote in the complaint. She claimed it mostly happened at Aikey’s home or in his truck, Nestico added. The victim allegedly referred to them as “drives” during the interview.

Aikey is being charged with four counts each of statutory sexual assault, involuntary deviate sexual assault of a child, sexual assault, aggravated indecent assault, indecent assault of a child, corruption of minors and unlawful contact with a minor. He is being held at the Montour County Prison on $20,000 monetary bail.

Landis being charged with a count each of involuntary deviate sexual intercourse with a child, sexual assault, aggravated indecent assault, indecent assault, corruption of minors, and unlawful contact with a minor. She is being held on $10,000 monetary bail at the Montour County Prison.

Landis and Aikey are scheduled to appear for preliminary hearing this month.

Bethany Landis docket sheet

Dennis James Aikey docket sheet