Meta Description: Pennsylvania sex offender Robert Roy Hegner admitted to sexual contact with approximately 25 children before 1999, according to federal court records. He has multiple convictions involving sexual offenses against children.
Key Takeaways
- Robert Roy Hegner, a convicted sex offender from Sewickley, Pennsylvania, is listed as a Tier III offender on Pennsylvania’s Megan’s Law registry.
- In 2018, Hegner received a 13-year federal prison sentence for possession of child sexual abuse material.
- According to a 2018 federal sentencing memorandum, Hegner admitted to sexual contact with approximately 25 individually named children before 1999, whom he had not disclosed during an earlier criminal investigation.
- His earlier criminal proceedings involved allegations that he sexually abused a teenage boy who visited his home for weightlifting activities.
- Andreozzi + Foote encourages anyone who was sexually abused by Robert Roy Hegner, or who has information about his past to come forward.
Who Is Robert Roy Hegner?
Robert Roy Hegner is a convicted child sex offender from Pennsylvania whose criminal history includes multiple offenses involving the sexual abuse and exploitation of children.
Hegner was arrested in 1999 on allegations of sexual abuse involving two teenage boys and the discovery of child sexual abuse material. He was subsequently convicted of several offenses involving children, including indecent assault, corruption of minors, and sexual abuse of children.
In August 2016, Hegner was investigated again after authorities discovered child sexual abuse material associated with his internet activity.
The subsequent federal prosecution revealed an extensive reported history of sexual abuse of minors.
According to a February 12, 2018, federal sentencing memorandum, Hegner admitted during a polygraph examination to having sexual contact with approximately 25 individually named children before 1999.
Federal prosecutors stated that he had not disclosed those children during his original criminal investigation.
Robert Hegner’s Community Involvement
Historical reporting provides details about Robert Hegner’s involvement in community organizations before his criminal convictions.
Robert Hegner’s Service With Cochran Hose Company/Swickley Fire Department.
Newspaper reports document Robert Hegner’s involvement as a volunteer firefighter with Cochran Hose Company, which serves as the Sewickley Fire Department in Sewickley, Pennsylvania.
A March 22, 1978, article in The Sewickley Herald, titled “Out on a limb,” identified a Robert Hegner as a volunteer firefighter with Cochran Hose Company. The article described an incident in which Hegner helped rescue a four-year-old boy who became stranded on Cochran Avenue cliffs.
More than two decades later, an August 29, 2016, Pittsburgh Post-Gazette article identified Robert Roy Hegner as a volunteer firefighter at the time of his 2000 criminal case, further supporting the connection between Hegner and the Sewickley Fire Department.
Fire chief George Ebel, who was also Hegener’s neighbor, referred to him after his 2016 arrested as “Robby,” stating “‘Robby was one of my fireman and a good one. Line officer and a good one. So I don’t know what happened.’”
Together, these reports suggest that Hegner’s involvement in volunteer firefighting extended over several decades, although his exact dates of service have not been established.
Robert Hegner Reportedly Taught Dozens of Children to Water Ski
A newspaper also documents Hegner’s likely involvement in water-skiing activities with local children on the Ohio River.
A September 5, 1985, article published in The Sewickley Herald titled “Summer’s last fling: It’s not too late for a ride on the water,” described a “Rob” Hegner’s recreational activities on the Ohio River.
According to the newspaper, approximately three or four dozen children from the area had come to Hegner through word of mouth to learn how to water ski.
Given Robert Roy Hegner’s subsequent convictions and reported admission to sexual contact with approximately 25 children before 1999, his potential access to children through these recreational activities raises serious concerns.
1999: Hegner Arrested for the First Time
In 1999, authorities arrested Robert Roy Hegner for the first time
According to reporting by The Pittsburgh Post Gazette, published on September 2nd, 1999, Hegner faced “a preliminary hearing Tuesday on charges that he improperly touched a 14-year-old boy and showed other boys pornographic pictures. Robert Roy Hegner, 48, of Sewickley, is accused of trying to show the boy a wrestling move while the two were naked at Hegner’s home in May. Police said Hegner had invited the boy to his house once a week to help him with a weightlifting program. In the May incident, police said, Hegner had removed the boy’s clothes to measure his hips and thighs. He is charged with indecent assault, indecent exposure, corruption of minors and endangering child welfare in that incident. Police said Hegner, a firefighter for the Sewickley Fire Department, also has been charged with showing other boys pornographic pictures on a computer before taking them on a water-skiing trip last year.”
According to later reporting stated, “While they were naked, the boy said, Hegner said that he wanted to teach him a wrestling move and grabbed him from behind. The boy said that he became uncomfortable because he felt Hegner’s [genitals] brush against him. Both boys told police that Hegner had allowed them to look at his adult magazines. One said Hegner gave him a computer disk that contained pornographic photographs.”
In November, 1999, Hegner was also “charged with possessing thousands of child pornography images on two home computers. ‘Most pedophiles will retain these images like a collection,’ said Allegheny County Detective Tim Haney. ‘They keep these pictures close to their hearts.” Haney, a forensic computer expert, said he was still trying to recover computer images that Hegner might have tried to delete.” (Pittsburgh Post Gazette)
Hegner’s arrest led to criminal proceedings in Allegheny County.
2001: Hegner Convicted of Sexual Offenses Against Children
According to an August 29, 2016, Pittsburgh Post-Gazette article, “Mr. Hegner, a grandfather, pleaded no contest in 2000 to indecent assault, corruption of minors, indecent exposure and endangering the welfare of children. He was sentenced to up to five years of probation. In a separate case, he pleaded no contest that same year to a charge of corruption of minors and placed on probation. Court records show that he was sentenced to jail in 2013 for 449 days in connection with that case.”
Federal prosecutors later confirmed that Hegner violated probation following his earlier convictions and was sent to prison.
2016: Hegner Arrested Again Following Child Sexual Abuse Material Investigation
In June 2016, authorities received information concerning suspected child sexual abuse material.
Investigators traced the internet activity to an account associated with Hegner’s Sewickley residence.
On August 25, 2016, investigators executed a search warrant at Hegner’s home. According to federal prosecutors, Hegner said he wanted to talk with the agents.
The following information is from United States of America v. Robert Roy Hegner, Case No. 2:17-cr-00052-MRH, Document 46, filed February 12, 2018, pages 2–3:
“During the interview, Hegner admitted to using the Chapstep application to view and obtain child pornography. He admitted that he keeps his child pornography images and videos on his laptop and external hard drive…Hegner estimated that he had more than 1000 images and videos of child pornography on his laptop and external hard drive. He admitted that he had accumulated most of the child pornography within the prior 6-8 months. Hegner stated that he is currently a Megan’s Law offender.
Hegner was asked if he committed any hands-on sex offenses against children under the age of 18 and he stated that he was previously arrested for committing a hands-on offense to two children in 1999, for which he served jail time and probation. Hegner was convicted of Indecent Assault, Endangering the Welfare of a Child, Corruption of Minors and Sexual Abuse of Children (F3) in that 1999 case.
He stated that he violated his probation in that case and was sent to prison. Hegner agreed to take a polygraph test. During the polygraph examination, Hegner admitted to having sexual contact with approximately 25 individually named children prior to 1999. Hegner never disclosed these victims during the 1999 investigation. Hegner stated that he does not know why he continues to look at child pornography and that he cannot stop this conduct. A preliminary forensic review of Hegner’s computer and hard drives revealed over 50 videos and 1000 images of child pornography.”
February 2018: Hegner Sentenced to 13 Years in Federal Prison
Despite Hegner’s reported admission to sexually abusing approximately 25 children before 1999, authorities were unable to prosecute him for those offenses. According to subsequent reporting, FBI investigators could not identify some of the victims, while the statute of limitations had expired for offenses involving others.
On February 21, 2018, U.S. District Judge Mark R. Hornak sentenced Hegner to 156 months (13 years) in federal prison, followed by lifetime supervised release, on a charge of possession of material depicting the sexual exploitation of a minor
June 2018: Hegner Listed as Tier III Sex Offender in Pennsylvania
Robert Roy Hegner is listed as a Tier III registered sex offender on the Pennsylvania State Police Megan’s Law Registry, with a registration start date of June 29, 2018.
Hegner’s registry profile also identifies him as incarcerated, although his current custody status has not been independently verified.
Could Organizations Be Held Liable for Childhood Sexual Abuse?
When an individual convicted of sexually abusing children has had extensive access to children, questions may arise about whether the organizations involved took appropriate steps to protect children.
In cases involving potential institutional negligence, a civil investigation may examine:
- Background checks: Whether employees and volunteers underwent appropriate screening.
- Prior complaints: Whether organizational leaders were aware of previous allegations, inappropriate behavior, or warning signs.
- Supervision: Whether adequate safeguards existed during youth programs, private instruction, or recreational outings.
- Reporting obligations: Whether suspected abuse was reported to the appropriate authorities.
- Institutional knowledge: Whether an organization knew or reasonably should have known that an individual posed a risk to children.
- Failure to protect: Whether inadequate supervision, oversight, or other negligence contributed to the abuse.
An individual’s association with an organization does not automatically establish that the organization is legally responsible for their misconduct.
Although there is currently no verified evidence that an organization enabled Hegner’s offenses, his documented involvement in community activities raises questions worth examining about his access to children and whether opportunities to prevent abuse may have been missed.
Civil Legal Options for Survivors of Childhood Sexual Abuse in Pennsylvania
Even when criminal charges cannot be pursued, survivors of childhood sexual abuse may have civil legal options separate from criminal proceedings.
Civil lawsuits can allow survivors to seek compensation for emotional distress, medical expenses, and other damages while pursuing accountability and justice for the harm they endured.
Even if abuse occurred decades ago, survivors are encouraged to speak with an attorney to determine whether legal options are available.
Learn more in our blog, Renewed Hope for PA Child Sexual Abuse Victims.
Survivors and Anyone With Information About Robert Roy Hegner Are Encouraged to Come Forward
Andreozzi + Foote encourages anyone who was sexually abused by Robert Roy Hegner, or who has information about his past conduct or interactions with children, to come forward.
This includes individuals who may have encountered Hegner through water-skiing, recreational programs, volunteer organizations, or other community activities.
Survivors may have civil legal rights even if the abuse occurred decades ago, was never reported to authorities, or did not result in criminal charges. Information from witnesses may also help identify additional survivors or assist in determining whether any institution failed to protect children.
Our firm represents survivors of childhood sexual abuse in Pennsylvania and nationwide.
Our team is trauma-informed, survivor-centered, and committed to helping individuals understand their rights and choose the path that feels the most empowering to them.
Your voice deserves to be heard, and our attorneys are ready to listen.
All consultations are free and completely confidential.
Contact us today.
Image sources: Left: Megan’s Law. Right: Post-Gazette.
