Scout Tour Operator Convicted Of Sexual Abuse
New York Man Pleaded Guilty To Four Counts Of Sodomizing 12-Year-Old
POSTED: 10:32 a.m. MDT May 15, 2002
UPDATED: 11:37 a.m. MDT May 15, 2002
DENVER -- A Boy Scout leader convicted of sodomizing a 12-year-old member of his troop in New York City has been allowed to travel to Colorado to run his tour business pending sentencing
in August.
Jerrold Schwartz, scout master of Troop 666 in Manhattan, pleaded guilty to four counts of third-degree sodomy last week.
Schwartz admitted that he sexually abused the boy in his home and office for several months during the fall of 1996.
Schwartz, 42, pleaded guilty after a New York State Supreme Court judge said he would give him at most eight years in prison, and possibly less.
Justice Charles Solomon rejected earlier pleas from Schwartz' lawyers who said
putting him in prison would serve no social purpose. Schwartz was
allowed to remain free on $25,000 bail and travel to Colorado where
he has a tour business, Adventure Trails Inc.
It is based in New York City and Colorado Springs, and provides, among other things, boy scout trips to the Air Force Academy.
"Adventure Trails has provided thousands of Scouts over the
years with unforgettable memories and experiences," says its Web
site.
The mother of the New York City victim, in court to hear
Schwartz' plea, said she was not satisfied with the sentencing
range that was promised, but she said she was happy that her son
would not have to testify at a trial.
The woman said Schwartz, after winning her trust, began abusing
her son when he was 12 and continued until he was 16. The victim,
now 20, "is still very fragile," she said. "He still gets
nightmares every night."
The New York prosecutor told the judge that one sex attack on the boy occurred on Schwartz's wedding day. The youth eventually turned to drugs and alcohol
because of the emotional damage he suffered.
Schwartz, whose Boy Scout troop for a while was given space in
St. Bartholomew's Church on Park Avenue, was originally charged
with 36 counts of sodomy.
The assistant district attorney asked the judge to sentence the
defendant to at least eight years in prison if he pleaded guilty.
The victim has filed a $150 million lawsuit against Schwartz and
others.
Solomon accepted Schwartz's guilty plea and said he would have to register as
a sex offender in New York.
He is required to do the same in Colorado within five days of
his arrival or face arrest, according to an agent with the
Colorado Bureau of Investigation.
None of the local scout groups 7NEWS talked with say they have dealings with the organization.
Jerrold Schwartz, scout master of Troop 666 in Manhattan, pleaded guilty to four counts of third-degree sodomy last week.
Schwartz admitted that he sexually abused the boy in his home and office for several months during the fall of 1996.
Schwartz, 42, pleaded guilty after a New York State Supreme Court judge said he would give him at most eight years in prison, and possibly less.
Justice Charles Solomon rejected earlier pleas from Schwartz' lawyers who said
putting him in prison would serve no social purpose. Schwartz was
allowed to remain free on $25,000 bail and travel to Colorado where
he has a tour business, Adventure Trails Inc.
It is based in New York City and Colorado Springs, and provides, among other things, boy scout trips to the Air Force Academy.
"Adventure Trails has provided thousands of Scouts over the
years with unforgettable memories and experiences," says its Web
site.
The mother of the New York City victim, in court to hear
Schwartz' plea, said she was not satisfied with the sentencing
range that was promised, but she said she was happy that her son
would not have to testify at a trial.
The woman said Schwartz, after winning her trust, began abusing
her son when he was 12 and continued until he was 16. The victim,
now 20, "is still very fragile," she said. "He still gets
nightmares every night."
The New York prosecutor told the judge that one sex attack on the boy occurred on Schwartz's wedding day. The youth eventually turned to drugs and alcohol
because of the emotional damage he suffered.
Schwartz, whose Boy Scout troop for a while was given space in
St. Bartholomew's Church on Park Avenue, was originally charged
with 36 counts of sodomy.
The assistant district attorney asked the judge to sentence the
defendant to at least eight years in prison if he pleaded guilty.
The victim has filed a $150 million lawsuit against Schwartz and
others.
Solomon accepted Schwartz's guilty plea and said he would have to register as
a sex offender in New York.
He is required to do the same in Colorado within five days of
his arrival or face arrest, according to an agent with the
Colorado Bureau of Investigation.
None of the local scout groups 7NEWS talked with say they have dealings with the organization.Copyright 2002 by TheDenverChannel.com. The Associated Press contributed to this report. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
