Hudson Valley Man Admits to Groping Teen
A Hudson Valley man confessed he forcibly touched a teenage girl just after Christmas.
On Wednesday in Town of Wallkill Justice Court, 38-year-old Joseph Retherford of Wallkill pleaded guilty to forcible touching. At the time he pleaded guilty, Retherford admitted on December 28, 2018, in the vicinity of Scotchtown Collabar Road and Goshen Turnpike, he forcibly touched the sexual or other intimate parts of a teenage girl for the purpose of degrading or abusing her or for the purpose of gratifying his sexual desire, while the victim was a passenger in his vehicle.
“Children are the most innocent of victims,” Orange County District Attorney David Hoovler. “We can only hope that this disposition, which spares the victim from having to testify, brings some measure of closure to the victim and the victim’s family. My Office will continue to work with all our law enforcement partners in protecting children and will continue to seek severe punishment for all who commit violent crimes against defenseless infants and children.”
Retherford is scheduled to be sentenced on August 28, 2019, in the Town of Wallkill Justice Court. Retherford will be required to register as a sex offender.
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