Altered sentence sought in sex abuse

By Patricia Breakey
Delhi News Bureau

March 31, 2009 04:00 am

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DELHI _ A former substitute teacher at Franklin Central School who pleaded guilty Jan. 15 to two counts of first-degree sexual abuse appeared Monday for a hearing on adding to his agreed-to sentence.

Robert R. Becker Jr., 36, of Franklin, was scheduled to be sentenced March 2 in Delaware County Court to one year in jail, 10 years of probation and registration as a sex offender. However, the proceeding was postponed at the request of county District Attorney Richard Northrup.

Judge Donald Cerio closed the courtroom to the public during the hearing after explaining the testimony would deal with issues of a confidential matter.

Cerio said a conference was held with Becker's attorney, Larisa Obolensky of Delhi, and Northrup before the hearing, and both sides asked that the proceeding be closed.

Five of Becker's relatives, including his wife, were allowed to be inside the courtroom for the hearing.

After the hearing, Northrup said the hearing was completed, but Cerio reserved decision and will issue a written decision.

Northrup would not comment on his reasons for asking to have Becker's sentence enhanced.

Becker is free on $15,000 bail or $30,000 bond.

Becker, a former county corrections officer, also pleaded guilty in county court in January to third-degree rape, endangering the welfare of a child and second-degree attempted sexual abuse.

He was arraigned in September on two indictments charging him with having sex with students and attempting sexual contact with other students. Northrup said there are five victims.

The charges alleged that Becker engaged in sexual intercourse and sexual contact, both by forcible compulsion, with two victims, each of whom was younger than 17, officials said.

Franklin Central School Principal Jason Thomson said previously that he and Superintendent Gordon Daniels worked with investigators from the moment they were told of a rape allegation against Becker.

By the next afternoon, other alleged victims were coming forward.