GOSHEN – Robert Youngs, a 36-year-old Circleville resident pleaded guilty to four felony charges of sex crimes involving children. Orange County District Attorney David Hoovler announced the settlement on Thursday, July 15.
Under the terms of the plea agreement placed on the record at the time that Youngs pleaded guilty, the Hoovler’s office will recommend that Youngs be sentenced to fifteen years to life in state prison in connection with the top charge of Predatory Sexual Assault Against a Child.
Youngs pleaded guilty to Predatory Sexual Assault Against a Child, Use of a Child in a Sexual Performance, Promoting a Sexual Performance by a Child, and Possessing a Sexual Performance of a Child. At the time that Youngs pleaded guilty, he admitted that between June 1, 2014, and April 11, 2015, he engaged in two or more acts of sexual contact with a child less than thirteen years old. He also admitted possessing a computer file of a child of less than sixteen years of age engaging in a sexual performance, directing or promoting a performance of a child less than seventeen years of age that included sexual contact, and inducing a child less than seventeen years of age to engage in a sexual performance, which he photographed.
“Children are the most innocent of victims and it is hard to comprehend how someone could even think of sexually abusing a child for sexual gratification or entertainment, let alone actually commit those heinous acts,” said Hoovler. “I am thankful that this disposition spares the victims and their families the trauma of testifying,” adding “We can only hope that there are no long-lasting physical effects which will be suffered by the victims in this case. I am grateful to the New York State Police and the Orange County Child Abuse Task Force for their investigation and the arrest of Youngs.”
Youngs is scheduled to be sentenced on October 14, 2021.
