By ANDREA VanVALKENBURG
PLATTSBURGH — A Champlain man must register as a sex offender after he admitted to fondling two young girls earlier this year.
Michael Boulerice was first arrested in May after the girls' mother discovered online correspondences that detailed the abuse, said Clinton County Assistant District Attorney Chantelle Schember.
Boulerice didn't speak about the abuse in Clinton County Court Tuesday afternoon, when he was sentenced to 10 years probation.
He had pleaded guilty in August to two counts of first-degree sexual abuse.
Before he was also sentenced to three months of time served, Boulerice was told by Judge Patrick McGill that "the damage you caused is certainly going to outlast any jail you served."
McGill said the local man violated his position of trust over the young girls, and the judge encouraged him to actively participate in sex-offender programs during his probation.
He said Boulerice left a "lasting scar on the victims."
During his sentencing appearance, Boulerice was also ordered to pay about $4,425 in fines and court expenses.
A hearing later this month will determine at which sex-offender level Boulerice will have to register.
McGill issued orders of protection for the two girls.
E-mail Andrea VanValkenburg at: avanvalkenburg@pressrepublican.com
