3 from Orleans are sentenced to either jail or state prison

By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 28 November 2016 at 4:52 pm

ALBION – Three people will be spending time in either the county jail or state prison after being sentenced today in Orleans County Court.

Billy J. Ray, 40, of Phipps Road in Albion was sentenced to 1 to 3 years in state prison for criminal contempt in the first degree.

Ray, during an Oct. 31 court appearance, admitted to violating an order of protection when he was in jail by using the phone and threatening someone’s life who he was ordered to not have contact with.

Judge James Punch said Ray on many occasions threatened the victim in the crime.

“This was a reign of terror,” Punch told Ray during sentencing this afternoon. “You’re a bully and you’ve bullied this woman for a long period of time.”

Ray apologized in court for scaring the victim.

His attorney, Dominic Saraceno, asked for Probation for Ray. Saraceno said Ray has taken responsibility for the crime, and has a minimal criminal record.

“He never once blames his victim,” Saraceno said. “He blames his own compulsive behavior.”

Punch said Ray deserves time in prison.

“You are profoundly self-centered with no concept of other people’s rights,” the judge said.

In other sentencings:

• A Holley woman who admitted to violating her probation by driving with a suspended license, and by using marijuana and heroin, was sentenced to 1 to 3 years in state prison.

Stephanie M. Rauch, 27, of North Main Street has been given opportunities to avoid prison, but hasn’t been successful, Punch said.

“There is really nothing more that we can do to help you with your drug problem at this point,” Punch told her.

Her attorney, Dominic Saraceno, said a drug addiction is fueling Rauch’s problems.

“She will, hopefully, get past this,” Saraceno said.

• A 19-year-old man from Shelby was sentenced to 6 months in jail and 10 years of probation for first-degree sexual abuse.

The man was 18 when the crime occurred and was given youthful offender status, meaning his name shouldn’t be published after he has been sentenced. He has no prior criminal record.

The man admitted to having sexual contact with the victim, who was also intoxicated to the point of being physically helpless.

“This is a disturbing and disgusting crime, there is no other way to describe it,” Punch said.

He ordered the man to pay a $1,000 victim fee and also issued an order of protection for the victim.

Saraceno, the attorney, said the man has mental health issues.

“It’s pretty obvious the defendant has serious issues to address,” Saraceno told the judge.

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