New York man Craig Ross Jr is sentenced to 47 years to life for sexually assaulting nine

Release time：2024-04-19 21:44:23 Source：Global Gist news portal

A New York man was sentenced to 47 years to life in prison for kidnapping and sexually assaulting a nine-year-old girl cycling in a state park on family vacation last year - after the young victim's heart-wrenching statement was read out in court.

Craig N. Ross Jr., 47, snatched the nine-year-old girl, who is not being named due to the nature of the crime, during her camping trip to Moreau Lake State Park in New York near Saratoga Springs on September 30. 

The girl, who was not present in court, wrote a heart-wrenching statement that was read aloud by Saratoga County Assistant District Attorney Jennifer L. Buckley on Wednesday. 

She wrote: 'Because of you, I can't sleep at night. I was imprisoned for two and a half days, and now you will be imprisoned for 47 years.' 

'I felt alone. Now you will be alone, too. Someone will always be watching you, like someone was watching me. You'll be treated wrong, like I was treated wrong.'

'Eventually, I will forget you but you won't forget me. You will never be able to affect anyone again....You will crumble, and I will be standing tall,' she added, concluding her statement with 'no fear'. 

Craig N. Ross Jr., 47, was sentenced to 47 years to life in prison for kidnapping and sexually assaulting a nine-year-old girl cycling in a state park on family vacation last year

Ross snatched the nine-year-old girl, who is not being named, during her camping trip to Moreau Lake State Park in New York near Saratoga Springs on September 30

After the girl went missing, a multi-agency search spanning 46 miles was launched and included 400 personnel from federal, state, and local authorities and volunteers on the ground

Ross displayed little emotion, keeping his gaze downward as the statement was read aloud. He declined to speak, as reported by Associated Press. 

The 47-year-old pleaded guilty in February to first-degree kidnapping and predatory sexual assault against a child. 

Judge James A. Murphy sentenced him to 25 years to life for the conviction of kidnapping and 22 years to life for the conviction of predatory sexual assault. 

The judge ordered those sentences to be served consecutively and imposed a protective order for the girl.  

Family members of the little girl were able to confront Ross during the sentencing on Wednesday afternoon. 

The girl’s uncle, who was sharing a statement from her father, said: 'What kind of person wakes up in the morning and decides they’ll steal someone’s kid? What kind of monster does that?'

At a court hearing in February, Assistant District Attorney Buckley said they had a huge amount of evidence, including over 2,000 photos, surveillance videos, emails and witnesses to present. 

Judge James A. Murphy sentenced him to 25 years to life for the conviction of kidnapping and 22 years to life for the conviction of predatory sexual assault

The child was cycling alone on Loop A of Moreau Lake State Park when she vanished in September last year. 

It should have only taken a few minutes for to complete the small loop, but after 15 minutes, when her parents realized she hadn't returned, they grew worried.

Her parents called authorities after discovering her bike on the trail, with officials scouring the 6,250-acre park but finding no sign of her.

After she disappeared, a multi-agency search spanning 46 miles was launched and included 400 personnel from federal, state, and local authorities and volunteers on the ground.

The search continued for two days until Ross left a ransom note in the mailbox of the child's family home demanding $50,000 for her return. 

Police were able to identify fingerprints said to match a 1999 DUI charge for Ross and swooped on his mother's trailer in Milton. 

Two SWAT teams - one state and one federal - descended on the property in helicopters, with Ross allegedly putting up a struggle. 

They found the girl hidden in a cabinet.

The girl's aunt said it was 'pure torture, pure torture really. You're thinking like what if this doesn't end soon, what if we can't find her, all of the what ifs.' 

When she found out she was okay, she 'dropped to my knees, screaming,' the girl's aunt said. 

The child was taken to Albany Medical Center Hospital after being found, with officials saying that she was in good physical health following the ordeal.

The 47-year-old pleaded guilty in February to first-degree kidnapping and predatory sexual assault against a child 

Police were able to identify fingerprints said to match a 1999 DUI charge for Ross and swooped on his mother's trailer(pictured) in Milton

After the young girl was found, her parents expressed gratitude to law enforcement authorities, as they said: 'We're thrilled.

'A huge thank you to the FBI, the New York State police, all of the agencies that were mobilized, all of the families, friends, community, neighbors and hundreds of volunteers who supported us and worked tirelessly to bring her home.'

Announcing Ross' sentencing on Wednesday, Saratoga County District Attorney Karen A. Heggen said the plea deal shows Ross 'was responsible for his heinous and despicable acts last fall.'

'The sentencing today by Judge James A. Murphy, III of Ross to an aggregate of 47 years to life reflects the Court’s determination that Ross’ actions were so vile and wicked that he should face up to life in prison,' Heggen said. 

'He will serve decades in prison before any parole consideration is available to him. This result is due to the tremendous efforts of the New York State Police and their numerous law enforcement partners...

'...Along with the outpouring of support from the citizens of the community who turned out in so many ways in support of the child and their family,' Heggen added. 

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