McGraw man arrested for raping, sexting 14-year-old

Michael J. Waite of McGraw/CORTLAND SHERIFF'S OFFICE

A McGraw man was arrested Tuesday for raping a 14-year-old, city girl and sending her sexually explicit text messages, according to the Cortland County Sheriff’s Office and the Cortland Police Department.

On January 21, detectives from both departments investigated Michael J. Waite, 38, of 2942 Rte. 11, McGraw, for potential sex crimes, according to news releases.

Sheriff’s Office investigators determined Waite twice raped a girl he knew and once performed another forced sex act with her at a residence in Cortlandville, according to the department. Information on when the attacks occurred was not provided.

City police officers determined Waite sent “sexually explicit messages and photographs” to the girl between Jan. 12 and Thursday, said Lt. Michael Strangeway.

County investigators charged Waite with two counts of felony, second-degree rape, as well as second-degree criminal sex act and second-degree incest, felonies. Waite was also charged with two misdemeanors: endangering the welfare of a child and fifth-degree sale of marijuana, which is often levied against a person who gave marijuana to another person.

City detectives charged Waite with felony disseminating indecent material to a minor and endangering the welfare of a child, a misdemeanor.

When Waite was arraigned and sent to Cortland County Jail on $5,000 cash or $10,000 bond bail on the Cortland County charges and $250 cash or $1,000 bond on City charges. Waite is scheduled to reappear at 2:30 p.m. Feb. 7.