It's become a religious mantra the last few years--children NEED their fathers. Well, I'm guessing this 16-year-old rape victim would disagree. The father of her convicted rapist, MICHAEL NEWLAND SR., was basically the one who who "allegedly" set up this sexual assault. Not surprisingly, Daddy has a similar history involving the sexual abuse of minors.
It is positively terrifying that a father like this was able to work as a school bus driver.
http://www.uticaod.com/topstories/x2061440183/Michael-Newland-Jr-pleads-guilty-to-rape
Michael Newland Jr. admits to rape; father pleads not guilty
By COURTNEY POTTS
Observer-Dispatch
Posted Dec 07, 2010 @ 05:43 PM
Last update Dec 07, 2010 @ 09:55 PM
The son of a former Holland Patent school bus driver pleaded guilty Tuesday to raping a 16-year-old girl whom he was allegedly introduced to by his father, officials said.
Michael Newland Jr., 23, of Cold Brook, pleaded guilty to felony third-degree rape in Oneida County Court to having sex with the girl at her Trenton home Oct. 21, District Attorney Scott McNamara said
Newland was sent back to Oneida County jail after the proceedings to await sentencing in January. He was represented by Assistant Public Defender David Cooke.
Meanwhile, his father, Michael Newland Sr., 44, pleaded not guilty Tuesday night in Trenton Town Court to endangering the welfare of a child. Justice Don Cannon released Newland Sr. on his own recognizance and ordered him to reappear in Town Court at 6:30 p.m. Tuesday, Jan. 4.
The misdemeanor charge against Newland Sr. stems from the allegation that he drove the underage girl on his school bus to meet his son after school. The girl and Newland Jr. then met again later that night to have sex, police had said.
In New York state, it is illegal for someone who is 21 or older to engage in sex with someone younger than 17.
Oneida County Assistant District Attorney Todd Carville discussed a possible plea deal with defense attorney William Borrill at the arraignment Tuesday, but would not disclose details on the offer.
The defense has until Tuesday, Dec. 21, to file motions in the case, and until Tuesday, Jan. 4, to decide on the plea deal.
Carville said prosecutors are prepared to go to trial if the deal isn’t accepted.
Borrill declined to comment on the case.
Newland Sr. faces additional charges of endangering the welfare of a child and third-degree sexual abuse in Herkimer County, stemming from separate allegations that he had sexual contact with an underage Holland Patent student at his home in Ohio on multiple occasions in 2009.
That girl also rode Newland’s bus to and from school, police have said.
Newland pleaded not guilty to those charges Tuesday, Nov. 23, in Ohio Town Court, and is scheduled to return to court there Tuesday, Jan. 25. Herkimer County Assistant District Attorney James Franchi is handling the case.