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March 3, 2008

Man gets probation for blackmailing woman for sex

Judge cites remorse of perpetrator, who elicited sex via bogus videotape

By ANDREA VanVALKENBURG

PLATTSBURGH -- Sean Sweeney sobbed and tried to catch his breath as he apologized in court for blackmailing a woman into having sex with him.

"Words can't express how bad I feel," the 35-year-old Plattsburgh man told City of Plattsburgh Court Judge Penelope Clute during his sentencing appearance Monday.

"I hurt someone else, and it's unforgiveable. I hope one day she can forgive me. I think about it every day."

Minutes later, he was sentenced to three years probation for blackmailing a 28-year-old woman during an elaborate online scheme and coercing her into have sex with him.

In mid December, Sweeney pleaded guilty to the original misdemeanor charge of second-degree coercion for blackmail in connection with the online scam that led to his November arrest.

At the time, according to City Court records, he told City Police he knew what he did was wrong when he created a false MySpace page and later blackmailed a woman he befriended on the social-networking site.

For several months, Sweeney pretended to be a man named "Vinny" online and eventually learned the woman had allegedly engaged in sexual acts with two Plattsburgh State hockey players several years before and thought the encounter may have been filmed.

Sweeney, as "Vinny," later told the woman that he knew the former hockey players and had a copy of the alleged tape, saying he would give it to her only if she had sex with his friend, Sean.

If not, he said, he would post the tape online.

Hoping to get the tape back, the woman reluctantly gave in to the blackmail and met Sweeney on at least two occasions to engage in sexual acts.

The woman's mother later learned of the continuing blackmail and contacted authorities, who located Sweeney after the victim identified the South Platt Street apartment where the encounters occurred.

He later admitted to authorities that the tape never existed.

Sweeney's attorney, Michael Phillips, said in court Monday that his client is mortified and embarrassed by his conduct.

"There is no lack of empathy," Phillips told the judge as he disputed a portion of the pre-sentencing report that suggested Sweeney lacked insight into the victim and how his actions have impacted her.

"He is extremely upset by his behavior," Phillips maintained as his client tearfully lowered his head.

Clute agreed as she handed down the sentence, saying Sweeney has consistently shown remorse for his actions.

As Sweeney shook and tried to catch his breath during the 15-minute sentencing appearance, he was also ordered to pay a $160 court surcharge, perform 50 hours of community service and abide by an active order of protection that prohibits him from having contact with the victim.

He thanked the judge and his attorney as he left the court red-faced clutching a crumpled Kleenex.

Sweeney, who lost his job at WPTZ shortly after his arrest, is currently unemployed and considering moving to St. Lawrence County where he would be closer to family, if, his attorney said, that could be arranged and permitted under the terms of his probation.

avanvalkenburg@pressrepublican.com

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