A 70-year-old Chestnut Ridge man was sentenced to 12 years in prison for the repeated sexual abuse of a pre-teen girl in 2019 and 2020, the Rockland District Attorney's Office announced.
The sentence imposed on Wednesday, Oct. 7, was the one Thomas Kelly was promised by Rockland Judge Kevin Russo in July when he pleaded guilty to first-degree course of sexual conduct against a child. He admitted at that time that he had engaged in sexual intercourse and other sexual activity with the girl on multiple occasions between June 2019 and February 2020 in Chestnut Ridge.
District Attorney Thomas Walsh said in a news release that Kelly had abused a position of trust and he commended the girl for having the strength to confront Kelly in court and deliver
a victim impact statement.
"She is a testament to the courage and perseverence of victims who deserve justice," the DA said. "Our thoughts and prayers remain with her on her path of recovery.”
Russo also imposed 10 years of post-release supervision and an order of protection barring Kelly from any contact with the victim. Kelly must register as a sex offender and his risk level of re-offending will be determined before he is released from prison.
This article originally appeared on Rockland/Westchester Journal News: Chestnut Ridge man in repeated sexual abuse of young girl gets prison term
