Convicted Hudson Valley Child Molester Appeals 68-Year Prison Sentence

A convicted Hudson Valley child molester had his appeal heard on his 68-year prison sentence.

In May 2015, Kaj-Erik Eriksen, who also went by the name Richard Lewis, of Kingston was found guilty of predatory sexual assault against a child, course of sexual conduct against a child, two counts of second-agree criminal sexual act and third-degree criminal sexual act, all felonies.

From 2004-2012, the Kingston man sexually abused three boys, ages 13 to 17. The sexual abuse occurred after Eriksen became friends with the victims and their families, officials say.

All three boys testified against him about the sexual abuse at the trial.

Following his conviction, Eriksen, who was considered a dangerous serial pedophile, was sentenced in Ulster County Court to 68-years to life in prison.

On appeal, Eriksen claimed that he was denied his pre-Miranda and post-Miranda rights. On Friday, The Appellate Division, Third Department, concluded that Eriksen was not in custody prior to his receipt of Miranda warnings and that the trial court’s ruling was correct.

The appeals court also determined that the 68-year prison sentence, while lengthy, was not unduly harsh because Eriksen’s adult life has been marked by his repeated sexual abuse of juvenile boys.

The court also noted that the Kingston’s man prior convictions from the State of Washington, under a different name, didn’t stop him from committing similar acts in the Hudson Valley.