Oneida County man sentenced to prison in sexual assault case

A 23-year-old Oneida County man was sentenced last Friday to more than 10 years in prison for repeatedly sexually assaulting multiple individuals with whom he shares a familial connection.

The River News is not identifying the defendant as disclosure of his name would result in the identification of victims.

In her sentencing statement, Oneida County district attorney Jillian Pfeifer recommended 10.5 years in prison — 3.5 years on each of the three counts charged — as well as lifetime supervision as a sex offender.

She stated that the conduct in question was “repulsive” and “predatory” and stressed that all three victims are facing lifelong consequences as a result of the repeated assaults.

The court also heard statements from the three victims, all of whom noted that the defendant was a person they should have been able to trust to protect them and he betrayed them.

“He ruined my life before I could even live it,” one of the victims said.

Another of the victims, who is now a parent, noted that they are concerned about protecting their children from a similar fate.

For his part, defense attorney Brent DeBord argued his client is a young person who has the potential to be a productive member of society at some point.

He noted that the defendant was the victim of abuse in childhood and suggested an adult’s decision to expose him to pornography as a preteen may have rewired his brain with respect to sexual intimacy.

DeBord also stressed that his client chose to resolve the case by pleading no contest to all of the charges but continues to maintain his innocence.

He recommended a sentence of four years confinement to be followed by 11 years extended supervision but no lifetime supervision.

Given his chance to speak, the defendant declined to address the court.

Judge Mike Bloom ultimately followed the state’s recommendation and imposed a sentence of 10.5 years incarceration to be followed by 7.5 years extended supervision.

He also imposed lifetime supervision as a sex offender.

The defendant will receive credit for 525 days already served.