CORTLAND, N.Y. — City police arrested a 40-year-old Cortland man Friday for sexually abusing a girl younger than 15 repeatedly over the last five years.
Brad J. Withey, of 7 Willow Ave., was charged with two counts of first-degree sexual abuse, a felony, as well as felony counts of first-degree criminal sexual act and second-degree criminal sexual act, according to city police. Withey was also charged with forcible touching and endangering the welfare of a child, misdemeanors.
After receiving a report of possible abuse on Jan. 13, police determined during a week-long investigation Withey abused a girl on multiple occasions from 2013 to 2018 at a residence on South Avenue, said Lt. Rick Troyer. Withey went to the city police station for an interview regarding the case Friday and was arrested about 3 p.m., Troyer said.
A person is charged with first-degree criminal sexual act when police believe he or she engaged in oral or anal sex with someone by force, or with someone who is physically helpless, or younger than 11 or younger than 13 and the perpetrator is older than 18, according to state penal law.
First-degree criminal sexual act carries a wide-ranging potential sentence; if convicted of this top charge levied against him, Withey could face from one to three years in prison to up to 25 years in prison, according to state penal law.
Withey was sent to the Cortland County Correctional Facility on $5000 cash bail or $10,000 bond. Withey was incarcerated as of 2:15 p.m. Monday and is scheduled to appear at 9 a.m. Tuesday in Cortland City Court.
