Keeseville man sentenced to probation

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February 18, 2012

— 63-year-old had admitted to second-degree course of sexual conduct against child

REBECCA WEBSTER Press-Republican The Press Republican Sat Feb 18, 2012, 02:28 AM EST

PLATTSBURGH — A Keeseville man convicted in December of sexually abusing a 10-year-old child was sentenced Friday to 10 years of probation.

James Camire, 63, must also register as a sex offender and pay $1,425 in surcharges and fees, Clinton County Judge Patrick McGill said.

An order of protection was issued on behalf of the victim, who was abused by Camire between 2006 and 2008.

Assistant District Attorney Jaime Douthat said after the sentencing that it was a negotiated plea agreement that takes into consideration the input of the victim.

JUDGE'S WORDS

Camire walked into the courtroom wearing a black baseball cap, which he was asked to remove.

He sat and watched McGill intently as the judge spoke about the sentence.

"What strikes me ... is that Mr. Camire has been dealt a lousy hand of cards," the judge said.

McGill said Camire's pre-sentencing report gave him a look into the Keeseville man's life. He said Camire's childhood was just short of a disaster and that his adulthood was fraught with physical ailments and injuries.

"It's evident that ... you've had to deal with a number of issues," he said. "My hope is that the 10 years' probation ... will give you guidance and help."

The probation period is one that helps a person move in the right direction, McGill said, while at the same time keeping the community safe.

He said he hoped it would allow Camire time to recognize the triggering mechanisms that cause him to act in certain ways.

ORIGINAL CHARGE

Camire was originally arrested on June 30, 2011, for allegedly sexually abusing a young girl repeatedly in the 1970s, but due to the statute of limitations, the charges were dropped.

State Police then filed new charges for the 2006 to 2008 abuse.

Camire admitted in the court on Dec. 6, 2011, to the second set of charges and pleaded guilty to second-degree course of sexual conduct against a child.

McGill said in the court that day that the child was 10 years old when the abuse began.

Camire's attorney, Mark Anderson, said at the sentencing that he had an issue with the recommendation that Camire be deemed a Level 3 (high-risk) sex offender.

A hearing on that issue was scheduled for Feb. 23.

Email Rebecca Webster at: rwebster@pressrepublican.com