By: Patrick Abdalla 10/22/2005
OWEGO, N.Y. - Saying he had heard from the victim and her mother claiming they did not want to see Greg Hollenbeck serve jail time, Tioga
County Judge Vincent Sgueglia sentenced the former teacher to five days in jail.
Sgueglia also said the case of the former Tioga Central, N.Y., School District teacher was one of the most extraordinary ones to come into his
courtroom since he became a justice. Hollenbeck, 27, of Candor, N.Y., pleaded guilty in September to two charges of having sexual intercourse
with a then-17-year-old. He also received 10 years probation and will have to register as a sex offender as part of his sentencing.
Hollenbeck will also have to pay more than $1,300 in fines and court costs.
Tioga County District Attorney Gerald Keene had asked for one year probation, saying Hollenbeck should be made an example. The former
social studies teacher had violated the trust of the school district, its students, their parents and his fellow teachers, he said.
"I don't think a light sentence sends the right message," he said before the sentencing was announced.
After the hearing, Keene voiced strong displeasure with the sentencing.
"I really thought that he should have had more jail time," Keene said, shaking his head. He said the trust that was broken by Hollenbeck was too
important and that even if he did not look to start the relationship, he should have stopped it from beginning.
Sgueglia said the victim and her mother had contacted him and informed him that she had said it was her desire to start the relationship with
Hollenbeck.
During his comments, the judge added that he had sent another former teacher who was facing similar charges to state prison for 10 years.
However, he said Hollenbeck had shown how much his actions had devastated his life and the justice system was meant to differentiate
between crimes.
"Your crime is no less, but its impact is different," he said.
Sgueglia added the jail time was meant to reinforce to Hollenbeck what he had done.
Hollenbeck's resignation as a teacher with the Tioga Central School District came March 26, three days after he was charged by the Tioga
County Sheriff's Department.
Hollenbeck, during the hearing, said his wife had posted bail when he had been released. He did not offer any other comments during the
sentencing. His wife was not in the courtroom Friday.
Hollenbeck has 30 days to file an appeal.
http://www.thedailyreview.com/site/news.cfm?newsid=15433940&BRD=2276&PAG=461&dept_id=465049&rfi=6
-------------
Guv'mint
Skoolin'
"DUHMAG.COM"
2005
