ALLENWOOD – A 47-year-old man was arrested and jailed Wednesday afternoon on charges of allegedly molesting eight minors, five girls and three boys, during a 15-year period, according to state Trooper Tyson Havens.

John Stoltzfus Beiler, of Allenwood, was taken into custody at a treatment facility in Lancaster and brought back here to face 27 criminal charges for sex offenses that are alleged to have occurred in Washington Township between 1997 and 2012, Havens said.

The victims’ ages ranged from infant to early teens at the time of the offenses, according to court records.

Beiler made no statements during his arraignment before District Judge Jon E. Kemp.

Several members of the Amish community came to Kemp’s office, but all remained outside during the proceedings.

Havens has charged Beiler with 14 counts of indecent assault, eight counts of indent exposure, three counts of involuntary deviate sexual intercourse and two counts of aggravated indecent assault. Beiler was committed to the Lycoming County Prison in lieu of $250,000 bail.