GOSHEN – A Circleville man was sentenced in Orange County Court on Thursday to 15 years to life in state prison in connection with sex crimes he committed against a child.
On July 15, 2021, Robert Youngs, 36, pled guilty to felony charges of 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.
Youngs admitted that between June 1, 2014 and April 11, 2015, he engaged in two or more acts of sexual contact with a child under the age of 13. He also admitted possessing a computer file of a child under the age of 16 engaging in a sexual performance, directing or promoting a performance of a child under 17 that included sexual contact, and inducing a child under 17 to engage in a sexual performance, which he photographed.
State Police and the Orange County Child Abuse Task Force worked with the District Attorney’s Office and the Child Advocacy Center to solve the case.
“Society must protect itself from any offender who targets children for sexual abuse,” said DA David Hoovler. “Even 15 years from now, the parole board should be wary of any decision that might lead to the release of this defendant. 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 these heinous acts.”
