DELHI _ A Harpersfield man appeared in Delaware County Court on Monday and was sentenced to 15 years in prison on a charge of sexually abusing a child.
Mark B. Schultes, 43, pleaded guilty to a reduced charge of first-degree criminal sexual act, which is defined as engaging in oral or anal sexual conduct with a child younger than 13.
Schultes had originally been charged with predatory sexual assault against a child, a class A-1 felony that carries a maximum sentence of 25 years to life.
Delaware County District Attorney Richard Northrup said one of the incidents, which took place in Kortright in August 2006 and September 2007, involved oral sexual conduct.
Seventeen of Schultes' family members gathered in court to watch the plea and sentencing.
Northrup said he had had several meetings with the mother of the child and was very familiar with the case.
"This particular conduct is especially egregious," Northrup said. "To commit this kind of act is unconscionable and is indicative of someone who needs to be removed from society."
Schultes' attorney, Patrick Kilker, said his client has not previously engaged in this or any other type of crime.
"This (crime) involved some element of mental disorder," Kilker said.
When given a chance to comment, Schultes said, "I would like to apologize and express my extreme remorse. I want to apologize to my wife for tearing my family apart."
Schultes also apologized for the shame he said his act caused his victim.
Delaware County Judge Carl Becker said, "This is a truly tragic incident. It seems our society suffers an epidemic of pedophilia and we have not figured out how to deal with this epidemic."
Becker added, "You apologized for the shame you caused your victim. Well, shame on you, sir. Victims are the innocents, and innocents don't have shame because they have done nothing wrong. This was about your own carnal desires."
Becker said he was glad the young victim didn't have to testify.
"The prospect of having a young child testify to this kind of act in an open court in front of strangers is abhorrent," Becker said. "I don't know how much damage you have done, but I hope your family can put this sad chapter behind them."
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Patricia Breakey can be reached at 746-2894 or at stardelhi@stny.rr.com.
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