WHEATFIELD, N.Y. (WKBW) — A former Niagara Wheatfield student who pleaded guilty to raping a classmate has been granted youthful offender status and sentenced to 10 years probation.
The victim said the defendant raped her in 2018. But he was allowed to continue attending high school even after he was charged with rape. The school only removed him after he pleaded guilty.
The student was previously sentenced to one year interim probation.
During his year-long probation he was required to live at home, receive psychiatric treatment and couldn't engage in any sexually explicit sites, among other things.
“I am very sorry for what I’ve done, and I hope that the victim can forgive me,” said the defendant when he was sentenced to one year interim probation.
“He has no remorse for what he has done, this sound like a youthful offender to you,” said the victim’s mother the day he was sentenced to one year interim probation.
His sentencing was delayed in August 2020 by the judge because the defendant's attorney did not provide a report from the sex abuse prevention program the defendant was required to attend under his temporary probation.
The Niagara County District Attorney's Office confirmed to 7 Eyewitness News Tuesday the defendant was sentenced to 10 years probation and granted youthful offender status.
In a text message to 7 Eyewitness News Senior Reporter Eileen Buckley the victim's mom said "I'm sick. Youthful offender status just erases the crime."
