A man accused of kidnapping a 9-year-old girl from Moreau Lake State Park in upstate New York has pleaded guilty to two felony counts, which could result in a sentence of 47 years to life in prison. The defendant, 46-year-old, pleaded guilty to first-degree kidnapping and predatory sexual assault of a child under a plea deal.
The incident occurred on September 30, when the girl was abducted from the state park, located approximately 35 miles north of Albany. Following a search involving over 100 individuals, the girl was found alive in a cabinet two days later after state police troopers and an FBI SWAT team stormed a camper where the defendant was staying.
In addition to the charges of kidnapping and predatory sexual assault, the defendant had also been facing accusations of sexual abuse, assault, and endangering the welfare of a child. His trial, which was scheduled to commence on April 8, has been averted due to his guilty plea.
Upon sentencing on April 17, the defendant will face 25 years to life in prison for first-degree kidnapping and an additional 22 years to life for predatory sexual assault against a child. These sentences are to be served consecutively, ensuring a substantial period of incarceration.
The district attorney expressed satisfaction with the guilty plea, stating that it allowed the victim and their family to witness the defendant admitting to his reprehensible actions. The defendant will be required to serve several decades in prison before any possibility of parole consideration.
The breakthrough in the case came when officers stationed at the girl's residence observed an individual dropping a ransom note in the family's mailbox before dawn. State police were able to identify the suspect through fingerprints on the note, linking him to a prior record in a criminal database dating back to a 1999 drunken driving case.
