KINGSTON – A 22-year-old Purling man was sentenced in Ulster County Court to 12 years in state prison plus 10 years of post-release supervision for his forcible rape of a 66-year-old woman at the Wenton Motel in Saugerties in August 2020.
Austin Hollister was visiting his father at the motel when he committed the sexual assault.
The victim fought her attacker and neighbors who heard her calls for help responded and detained the naked man until Saugerties Police officers arrived.
The victim was immediately transported to the hospital for treatment and forensic examination.
At the time of sentencing on Thursday, Judge Bryan Rounds said the attack appeared to have been committed during a period of use and abuse of substances in Hollister’s life, but the judge said the use or abuse of drugs and alcohol does not make people do something that is not within them to do. The judge encouraged Hollister to identify and deal with what it is within him that caused him to commit such a serious violation of another person.
District Attorney David Clegg said, “abuse of alcohol and substances is a very serious problem for many, but it is never a legitimate or acceptable explanation for the horrible violation and sexual assault of anyone.”
The victim has expressed her gratitude for the manner and sensitivity of the police investigation and judicial process, and the dignity of her treatment and examination by the nurse at such a personal and sensitive moment of trauma in her life.
She is doing well, spending time with her family and enjoying her grandchildren.
