Current location:world >>
New York man Craig Ross Jr is sentenced to 47 years to life for sexually assaulting nine
world88People have gathered around
IntroductionA New York man was sentenced to 47 years to life in prison for kidnapping and sexually assaulting a ...
A New York man was sentenced to 47 years to life in prison for kidnapping and sexually assaulting a nine-year-old girl cycling in a state park on family vacation last year - after the young victim's heart-wrenching statement was read out in court.
Craig N. Ross Jr., 47, snatched the nine-year-old girl, who is not being named due to the nature of the crime, during her camping trip to Moreau Lake State Park in New York near Saratoga Springs on September 30.
The girl, who was not present in court, wrote a heart-wrenching statement that was read aloud by Saratoga County Assistant District Attorney Jennifer L. Buckley on Wednesday.
She wrote: 'Because of you, I can't sleep at night. I was imprisoned for two and a half days, and now you will be imprisoned for 47 years.'
'I felt alone. Now you will be alone, too. Someone will always be watching you, like someone was watching me. You'll be treated wrong, like I was treated wrong.'
'Eventually, I will forget you but you won't forget me. You will never be able to affect anyone again....You will crumble, and I will be standing tall,' she added, concluding her statement with 'no fear'.
Craig N. Ross Jr., 47, was sentenced to 47 years to life in prison for kidnapping and sexually assaulting a nine-year-old girl cycling in a state park on family vacation last year
Ross snatched the nine-year-old girl, who is not being named, during her camping trip to Moreau Lake State Park in New York near Saratoga Springs on September 30
After the girl went missing, a multi-agency search spanning 46 miles was launched and included 400 personnel from federal, state, and local authorities and volunteers on the ground
Ross displayed little emotion, keeping his gaze downward as the statement was read aloud. He declined to speak, as reported by Associated Press.
The 47-year-old pleaded guilty in February to first-degree kidnapping and predatory sexual assault against a child.
Judge James A. Murphy sentenced him to 25 years to life for the conviction of kidnapping and 22 years to life for the conviction of predatory sexual assault.
The judge ordered those sentences to be served consecutively and imposed a protective order for the girl.
Family members of the little girl were able to confront Ross during the sentencing on Wednesday afternoon.
The girl’s uncle, who was sharing a statement from her father, said: 'What kind of person wakes up in the morning and decides they’ll steal someone’s kid? What kind of monster does that?'
At a court hearing in February, Assistant District Attorney Buckley said they had a huge amount of evidence, including over 2,000 photos, surveillance videos, emails and witnesses to present.
Judge James A. Murphy sentenced him to 25 years to life for the conviction of kidnapping and 22 years to life for the conviction of predatory sexual assault
The child was cycling alone on Loop A of Moreau Lake State Park when she vanished in September last year.
It should have only taken a few minutes for to complete the small loop, but after 15 minutes, when her parents realized she hadn't returned, they grew worried.
Her parents called authorities after discovering her bike on the trail, with officials scouring the 6,250-acre park but finding no sign of her.
After she disappeared, a multi-agency search spanning 46 miles was launched and included 400 personnel from federal, state, and local authorities and volunteers on the ground.
The search continued for two days until Ross left a ransom note in the mailbox of the child's family home demanding $50,000 for her return.
Police were able to identify fingerprints said to match a 1999 DUI charge for Ross and swooped on his mother's trailer in Milton.
Two SWAT teams - one state and one federal - descended on the property in helicopters, with Ross allegedly putting up a struggle.
They found the girl hidden in a cabinet.
The girl's aunt said it was 'pure torture, pure torture really. You're thinking like what if this doesn't end soon, what if we can't find her, all of the what ifs.'
When she found out she was okay, she 'dropped to my knees, screaming,' the girl's aunt said.
The child was taken to Albany Medical Center Hospital after being found, with officials saying that she was in good physical health following the ordeal.
The 47-year-old pleaded guilty in February to first-degree kidnapping and predatory sexual assault against a child
Police were able to identify fingerprints said to match a 1999 DUI charge for Ross and swooped on his mother's trailer(pictured) in Milton
After the young girl was found, her parents expressed gratitude to law enforcement authorities, as they said: 'We're thrilled.
'A huge thank you to the FBI, the New York State police, all of the agencies that were mobilized, all of the families, friends, community, neighbors and hundreds of volunteers who supported us and worked tirelessly to bring her home.'
Announcing Ross' sentencing on Wednesday, Saratoga County District Attorney Karen A. Heggen said the plea deal shows Ross 'was responsible for his heinous and despicable acts last fall.'
'The sentencing today by Judge James A. Murphy, III of Ross to an aggregate of 47 years to life reflects the Court’s determination that Ross’ actions were so vile and wicked that he should face up to life in prison,' Heggen said.
'He will serve decades in prison before any parole consideration is available to him. This result is due to the tremendous efforts of the New York State Police and their numerous law enforcement partners...
'...Along with the outpouring of support from the citizens of the community who turned out in so many ways in support of the child and their family,' Heggen added.
Tags:
Reprint:Friends are welcome to share on the Internet, but please indicate the source of the article when reprinting it.“Stellar Station news portal”。http://kenya.downmusic.org/article-83d599360.html
Related articles
Yu Darvish extends scoreless innings streak to 25 in Padres' 9
worldATLANTA (AP) — Yu Darvish dominated a slumping Braves offense and extended his career-high scoreless ...
【world】
Read moreRussia launches drones as Ukraine marks third Easter at war
worldKYIV, Ukraine (AP) — As Ukraine marked its third Easter at war, Russia on Sunday launched a barrage ...
【world】
Read moreNatalie Spooner leads Toronto to 5
worldTORONTO (AP) — Natalie Spooner scored twice in Toronto’s 5-2 win over Ottawa in the league’s regular ...
【world】
Read more
Popular articles
- Celebrity birthdays for the week of May 26
- More misery as the UK's tax burden is set to hit an 80
- Larson edges Buescher at the line at Kansas Speedway in closest finish in NASCAR Cup Series history
- Emily Blunt reveals kissing some of her Hollywood co
- Jon Wysocki dead at 53: Staind drummer passes away
- Javier Assad pitches 6 innings as Cubs blank Brewers 5
Latest articles
Insider Q&A: CIA's chief technologist's cautious embrace of generative AI
Mourners gather at Daniel Anjorin vigil where 14
Eta Aquariids Meteor Shower peaks tonight with up to 50 shooting stars every hour
DEAR JANE: My wife has ditched her razor for good
Company wins court ruling to continue development of Michigan factory serving EV industry
UK's ruling Conservative Party suffers heavy losses in local elections
LINKS
- Hunter Biden indicted on multiple counts related to firearms, tax evasion
- Brad Marchand caps Bruins' four
- U.S. CDC concerned about salmonella outbreak linked to cantaloupes
- At least three people dead in shooting on university campus in Las Vegas
- China Development Bank doubles loan support for farmland work
- Lionel Messi scores fifth goal and has an assist in Inter Miami's 3
- Model and influencer Nara Smith welcomes baby number three with husband Lucky Blue Smith
- Bankruptcies in Japan rise for 19th month
- Rohingya ordered by Myanmar officer to ‘fight for our faith’ — Radio Free Asia
- Dubois, Roy end long goal droughts to propel Kings to 3