Post by WaTcHeR on May 20, 2006 13:01:09 GMT -5
05/20/2006 - A former special deputy for the Genesee County Sheriff's Department has been sentenced to probation and a tether for using his cellphone camera to capture a sexual episode between his friend's wife and a 13-year-old girl.
Genesee Circuit Judge Richard B. Yuille told John J.A. Debono he was "going to pay a tough price" for his decision to record the sexual encounter.
Debono, 22, of Swartz Creek, was placed on two years probation and sentenced to 60 days on tether after pleading guilty to possession of child sexually abusive material, a 4-year felony, and attempted accosting a child for immoral purposes, a 2-year felony.
He also must also register as a sex offender.
Mitchell H. Nelson, Debono's attorney, told Yuille his client has suffered the most by losing his position as a special deputy with the Sheriff's Department. He said the episode was fueled by alcohol and Debono's "loss of common sense."
After the incident came to light, Genesee County Sheriff Robert J. Pickell removed Debono from the reserve squad, which has no arrest powers but assists in traffic control and other duties during special events, such as parades.
Earlier, Yuille sentenced Deborah L. Workman, 17, and her estranged husband, Michael S. Workman, 22, both of Swartz Creek, to 60 days on tether, 2 years probation and registration as sex offenders.
Both entered guilty pleas of attempted accosting a child for immoral purposes.
The charges stem from an Aug. 11 incident in which the victim was videotaped on Debono's cellphone while nude and engaged in sex acts with Deborah Workman. Although the 13-year-old girl did not appear in court for any of the sentence hearings, her mother sent a letter saying the girl is still struggling with the psychological effects of the incident.
Genesee Circuit Judge Richard B. Yuille told John J.A. Debono he was "going to pay a tough price" for his decision to record the sexual encounter.
Debono, 22, of Swartz Creek, was placed on two years probation and sentenced to 60 days on tether after pleading guilty to possession of child sexually abusive material, a 4-year felony, and attempted accosting a child for immoral purposes, a 2-year felony.
He also must also register as a sex offender.
Mitchell H. Nelson, Debono's attorney, told Yuille his client has suffered the most by losing his position as a special deputy with the Sheriff's Department. He said the episode was fueled by alcohol and Debono's "loss of common sense."
After the incident came to light, Genesee County Sheriff Robert J. Pickell removed Debono from the reserve squad, which has no arrest powers but assists in traffic control and other duties during special events, such as parades.
Earlier, Yuille sentenced Deborah L. Workman, 17, and her estranged husband, Michael S. Workman, 22, both of Swartz Creek, to 60 days on tether, 2 years probation and registration as sex offenders.
Both entered guilty pleas of attempted accosting a child for immoral purposes.
The charges stem from an Aug. 11 incident in which the victim was videotaped on Debono's cellphone while nude and engaged in sex acts with Deborah Workman. Although the 13-year-old girl did not appear in court for any of the sentence hearings, her mother sent a letter saying the girl is still struggling with the psychological effects of the incident.