ITHACA, N.Y. (WHCU) – A Newfield man will spend a decade behind bars.
Stephan Starks appeared in Tompkins County Court today and was sentenced to ten years in state prison. The 74-year-old Starks was arrested last June after a months-long investigation into sex crimes against a child by the State Police. Starks was originally charged with a count each of predatory sexual assault against a child and sex abuse.
In January, Starks pled guilty to the crime of course of sexual conduct against a child, which is a class B violent felony in New York. During his plea, he admitted to subjecting a child under the age of 13 to repeated sexual contact over several years.
“There is nothing that the court system can provide to heal the trauma suffered by the victim in this case, but it is my hope that this represents a step toward closure for the victim and her family,” said Tompkins County District Attorney Matthew Van Houten. “This resolution should serve as a strong message that this kind of abuse has no place in our community.”
Starks was additionally sentenced to 20 years of post-release supervision.
