Man who said he was innocent of sex abuse 2 weeks ago pleads guilty today
ALBION – Two weeks ago in Orleans County Court, Joseph Quarella refused a plea deal and proclaimed his innocence. He was set to go to trial on Nov. 13 for first-degree sex abuse for having sex with a 16-year-old girl.
Quarella was asked in court on Oct. 16 if he would accept a plea offer in the case.
“No,” he told Judge Sara Sheldon. “I’m not because I didn’t do anything.”
But today in court, Quarella admitted to forcibly touching the victim’s private parts.
He pleaded guilty to first-degree attempted sex abuse and faces a maximum sentence of 2 ½ to 4 years in state prison. He will be sentenced on Jan. 22.
Quarella was living at Skyline Circle in Murray when he allegedly subjected the victim to crime, which occurred in November 2016.
Quarella is a second felony offender and already has served a sentence in state prison.
