Medina man sentenced to 3 years in prison in sex abuse case

ALBION – A Medina man was sentenced to 3 years in state prison today by Orleans County Court Judge Sanford Church.

Jeffrey Fitzsimmons, 34, of West Oak Orchard Street also will get 10 years of post-release supervision. The judge also issued an order of protection for the victim for up to 10 years when Fitzsimmons is released from prison.

Fitzsimmons was charged in April with first-degree sexual abuse, forcible touching and endangering the welfare of a children for inappropriately touching a 15-year-old girl.

He pleaded guilty to a reduced charge of attempted sexual abuse in the first degree and admitted in court previously to committing the crime. However, during a pre-sentence investigation with probation staff, Fitzsimmons wouldn’t admit to the crime, District Attorney Susan Howard said.

Judge Church faulted Fitzsimmons for not taking responsibility for the crime.

“You pleaded guilty but now you deny it happened?” Judge Church said.

The mother of the alleged victim spoke in court this morning and said Fitzsimmons caused emotional trauma to her daughter by allegedly forcing himself on her and violating her trust.

“My child deserves justice,” the mother said. “Watching your child go through this is the most horrible thing in the world.”

She asked for the maximum possible sentence in the plea and for the highest level on the sex offender registry. That level on the registry will be determined in a separate hearing when Fitzsimmons is close to his release date from prison.