Circleville Man Pleads Guilty to Four Felonies Involving Child Crimes

District Attorney to Recommend 15 Years to Life in State Prison

Orange County District Attorney David M. Hoovler announced that Thursday, July 15, 2021, Robert Youngs, age 36, of Circleville, pleaded guilty before Orange County Court Judge William L. DeProspo to four felonies involving child sex crimes. Under the terms of the plea agreement placed on the record at the time that Youngs pleaded guilty, the District Attorney’s Office will recommend that Youngs be sentenced to fifteen years to life in state prison in connection with the top charge of Predatory Sexual Assault Against a Child.

Youngs pleaded guilty to Predatory Sexual Assault Against a Child, Use of a Child in a Sexual Performance, Promoting a Sexual Performance by a Child, and Possessing a Sexual Performance of a Child. At the time that Youngs pleaded guilty, he admitted that between June 1, 2014 and April 11, 2015 he engaged in two or more acts of sexual contact with a child less than thirteen years old. He also admitted possessing a computer file of a child of less than sixteen years of age engaging in a sexual performance, directing or promoting a performance of a child less than seventeen years of age that included sexual contact, and inducing a child less than seventeen years of age to engage in a sexual performance, which he photographed.

Youngs is scheduled to be sentenced on October 14, 2021.

District Attorney Hoovler thanked the New York State Police and the Orange County Child Abuse Task Force for their investigation and the arrest of Youngs. District Attorney Hoovler also thanked the Orange County Child Advocacy Center who worked with prosecutors and police on the case.

On April 23, 2021, the Orange County Child Advocacy Center opened. Child advocacy centers bring child protective services, law enforcement, medical providers, advocacy, and therapeutic resources together when allegations of child abuse or maltreatment are made to make the investigation process less traumatic for children.

“Children are the most innocent of victims and it is hard to comprehend how someone could even think of sexually abusing a child for sexual gratification or entertainment, let alone actually commit those heinous acts,” said District Attorney David Hoovler. “I am thankful that this disposition spares the victims and their families the trauma of testifying. We can only hope that there are no long-lasting physical effects which will be suffered by the victims in this case. I am grateful to the New York State Police and the Orange County Child Abuse Task Force for their investigation and the arrest of Youngs. My Office will continue to work with all our law enforcement partners, and Orange County Child Advocacy Center, in protecting children and will continue to seek severe punishment for all who commit violent crimes against defenseless children.”

The case was prosecuted by Senior Assistant District Attorney Jessica Dovico and Assistant District Attorney Alexis Gregory.

A criminal charge is merely an allegation by the police that a defendant has committed a violation of the criminal law, and it is not evidence of guilt. All defendants are presumed innocent and entitled to a fair trial, during which it will be the State of New York’s burden to prove guilt beyond a reasonable doubt.