A Cortland County man has been recently sentenced to 25 years to life for Predatory Sexual Assault Against a Child.
63 year old Mitchell Padbury, who was convicted in March of this year after three and a half days of testimony in Cortland County Court for multiple sexual offenses was sentenced by Cortland County Court Judge Julie Campbell.
“These are particularly sensitive cases where children, one of our most vulnerable populations as victims, are involved,” according to D.A. Patrick Perfetti.
The conviction comes after Padbury over the course of seven months from September of 2014 to March of 2015, was in the care of the victim who he was abusing in the county. An investigation by police found the victim had suffered sexual abuse over a 3 year period.
“Key to success in bringing this matter to trial was the efforts of the Cortland Child Advocacy Center (CAC) in its support of the victim and the family that fortified the courage of the victim to come forward and testify in open court. DA Perfetti notes that this was the first time that a companion canine, Luna – a cocker-pooh, was used in support of a testifying witness at trial in Cortland County.” According to the statement released by District Attorney Patrick Perfetti’s office.
The overall sentencing for Padbury was 25 years to life for Predatory Sexual Assault Against a Child, 25 years, with 20 years post-release supervision (PRS) each for Course of Sexual Conduct Against a Child in the 1st Degree, Criminal Sexual Act in the 1st Degree and a third class “B” violent felony charge, 7 years, with 10 years PRS for Sexual Abuse in the 1st Degree, and 1 year for Endangering the Welfare of a Child, concurrent. These sentences are the maximum allowed by law.
