Sylvan McGarrel, 39, originally faced up to seven years in state prison for allegedly assaulting juvenile inside Scotrun waterpark; walked free in June after pleading to disorderly conduct and serving 19 days

SCOTRUN, MONROE COUNTY — A New Jersey man charged with sexually assaulting a juvenile girl at Great Wolf Lodge walked free six months ago after felony sex crime charges were quietly dropped—a resolution that was never publicly reported until now.

Sylvan Christopher McGarrel, 39, of Teaneck, New Jersey, was originally charged with corruption of minors, a third-degree felony carrying up to seven years in state prison, along with two counts of indecent assault and harassment after police say he groped a girl inside the Scotrun waterpark in May.

But court records obtained by the Pocono Review show all of those charges were resolved on Wednesday, June 11, 2025, when McGarrel pleaded guilty to a single count of disorderly conduct—a third-degree misdemeanor—before Magisterial District Judge Daniel Kresge. He was sentenced to time served and released the same day, having spent 19 days in Monroe County Prison awaiting trial.

The case is now closed. Court costs totaling $187.75 were adjusted to zero.

The Monroe County District Attorney’s Office, which prosecuted the case, did not respond to a request for comment on why the original charges were dropped.

The Incident

According to Pocono Township Police, officers responded to Great Wolf Lodge at 1 Great Wolf Drive in Scotrun on Friday, May 23, 2025, at approximately 1:48 p.m. for a report of an assault inside the waterpark.

Officers learned that a juvenile female had been inappropriately grabbed and touched without her consent by a male guest who claimed to be 24 years old. McGarrel was actually 39—a 15-year difference. Police said surveillance footage captured the incident.

McGarrel was taken into custody after investigators reviewed the video evidence and conducted interviews.

He was arraigned that evening by Magisterial District Judge Phillip R. Riley and held on $25,000 bail. Unable to post bond, McGarrel was committed to Monroe County Prison on charges of corruption of minors (F3), indecent assault by forcible compulsion (M1), indecent assault without consent (M2), and harassment.

Bail Reduced Twice Before Plea

Court records reveal McGarrel’s bail was reduced twice before his guilty plea.

On Wednesday, June 4, 2025—the date of his originally scheduled preliminary hearing—bail was lowered to just $100 nominal bail following what court records describe as a “joint motion between both parties.” The hearing was continued.

One week later, on Wednesday, June 11, 2025, McGarrel appeared for his rescheduled preliminary hearing before Judge Kresge, pleaded guilty to the single disorderly conduct charge, and was sentenced immediately. His bail was converted to $100 unsecured, and he was released.

Private Attorney Replaced Public Defender

McGarrel was initially represented by Monroe County Public Defender Jason Allen Labar. By the time of his plea, private defense attorney Brian Scott Gaglione of Leeth & Gaglione in Stroudsburg had entered an appearance on his behalf.

Gaglione’s Stroudsburg-based firm has represented defendants in criminal matters throughout Monroe County.

DEFENDANT INFORMATION:

• Name: Sylvan Christopher McGarrel
• DOB: November 17, 1985 (Age 39 at time of arrest)
• Sex: Male
• Height: 5’8″
• Weight: 176 lbs
• Hair: Brown
• Eyes: Brown
• Last Known Address: Teaneck, NJ 07666

CASE INFORMATION:

• Docket: MJ-43303-CR-0000160-2025
• OTN: A 1006230-1
• Incident: 2025-00005295
• Arresting Agency: Pocono Township Police Department
• Arresting Officer: Officer Austin R. Anglemyer
• Court: MDJ 43-3-03
• Status: Closed — Case Disposed

ORIGINAL CHARGES:

• Corruption of minors (18 Pa.C.S. § 6301) — F3 — Resolved
• Indecent assault by forcible compulsion (18 Pa.C.S. § 3126(a)(2)) — M1 — Resolved
• Indecent assault without consent (18 Pa.C.S. § 3126(a)(1)) — M2 — Resolved
• Harassment (18 Pa.C.S. § 2709) — S — Resolved

FINAL DISPOSITION:

• Disorderly conduct — hazardous/physically offensive condition (18 Pa.C.S. § 5503(a)(4)) — M3 — Guilty Plea

TIMELINE:

• Friday, May 23, 2025, 1:48 p.m.: Pocono Township Police respond to Great Wolf Lodge for assault report
• Friday, May 23, 2025: McGarrel arrested; charged with corruption of minors, two counts of indecent assault, and harassment
• Friday, May 23, 2025, 8:17 p.m.: Arraigned before MDJ Phillip R. Riley; bail set at $25,000
• Friday, May 23, 2025: Committed to Monroe County Prison, unable to post bail
• Wednesday, June 4, 2025: Preliminary hearing continued; bail reduced to $100 nominal via joint motion
• Wednesday, June 11, 2025: Pleaded guilty to disorderly conduct (M3) before MDJ Daniel Kresge; sentenced to time served
• Wednesday, June 11, 2025: Released from Monroe County Prison; case closed

CONFINEMENT: Monroe County Prison — Friday, May 23, 2025 to Wednesday, June 11, 2025 (19 days)

ATTORNEYS:

• Prosecution: Monroe County District Attorney’s Office, 701 Main Street, 2nd Floor, Stroudsburg, PA 18360 — 570-420-3470
• Defense (Initial): Jason Allen Labar, Esq., Monroe County Public Defender, 701 Main Street, Suite 301, Stroudsburg, PA 18360 — 570-517-3042
• Defense (Final): Brian Scott Gaglione, Esq., Leeth & Gaglione, LLC, 513 Main Street, 2nd Floor, Stroudsburg, PA 18360 — 570-421-7282

LOCATION:

• Incident: Great Wolf Lodge, 1 Great Wolf Drive, Scotrun, PA 18355

McGarrel has pleaded guilty. All defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.