An Elmira man was sentenced Wednesday to 18 years to life in state prison for sexually assaulting two children over several years, according to the Schuyler County District Attorney's Office. Kenneth G. Morales, 30, received concurrent sentences on two counts of predatory sexual assault against a child, a Class A-II felony.
Morales pleaded guilty to both counts July 16 in Schuyler County Court. Judge Matthew C. Hayden imposed the sentence Sept. 10, the district attorney's office said.
Prosecutors said the abuse began when the children were about 6 and 7 years old and continued for approximately seven years. The conduct occurred in Schuyler and Chemung counties, according to the release.
District Attorney Jeremy Hourihan told the court that Morales targeted and groomed the children from a young age by offering video games and cellphone use in exchange for sexual acts. Prosecutors said some of the abuse occurred while other people were in the home.
The district attorney's office said Morales documented the abuse by taking hundreds of sexually explicit photographs of the children. Hourihan argued for the maximum sentence allowed under the plea agreement, saying the victims were not responsible for what happened to them.
Hayden said at sentencing that prison could not adequately address what the children endured, according to the district attorney's account of the proceeding. He said he would not show Morales mercy because the effects on the victims would last throughout their lives.
Morales must register as a sex offender under New York's Sex Offender Registration Act after his release. The court also issued orders of protection for both victims.
The concurrent sentences mean Morales will serve the two 18-years-to-life terms at the same time.
New York State Police and the Elmira Police Department Detective Bureau investigated the case. Hourihan prosecuted it for Schuyler County.
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