Darrin J. Golden. (Photo Source: Kevin L. Smith/The Cortland Voice).
A Cortland was sentenced to 10 years in prison for his first-degree criminal sexual act charge on Thursday in Cortland County Court.
Darrin J, Golden, 36, also has 20 years of post-release supervision attached to his sentencing.
Back in July of last year, Golden was arrested by the city of Cortland police department following allegations that he sexually abused a victim that was under 11 years old. The incident took place at Golden’s apartment on Court Street while he was babysitting the victim.
Golden walked into the Cortland County Sheriff’s Office and reported the incident. From there, city police conducted an investigation.
Golden was previously charged with:
- Predatory Sexual Assault Against a Child (A-II Felony)
- Incest in the First Degree (Felony)
- Criminal Sex Act in the First Degree (2 Counts) (Felony)
- Sex Abuse in the First Degree (2 Counts) (Felony)
Following a plea deal, Golden’s charges were husked down to one, which was the first-degree criminal sex act charge.
Darrin J. Golden. (Photo Source: Kevin L. Smith/The Cortland Voice).
County assistant district attorney Jessica Weyant noted that after the plea, prosecution considered moving forward with the predatory assault against a child charge. According to Weyant, a sentencing between 10 years-to-life and 25 years-to-life was attached to the charge.
“(The prosecution) did come down from taking that into consideration, due to cooperation (from Golden) and others in the court that are laid out in the record today,” she said.
Weyant mentioned that the victim gave “full disclosure” on the incident at a recent child advocacy interview. Golden and the victim “played a game as a secret” between the two of them, Weyant added.
“(Golden) was in a position of trust with (the victim). It was mentioned, though, that Golden told (the authorities) about the secret,” Weyant said. “This prompted the victim to come forward and give full disclosure.”
County judge Julie Campbell credited Golden for turning himself in and “cooperating fully” through the investigation. Campbell noted while Golden is “someone who has never been charged with a crime before,” his first offense is “nothing short of a doozy.”
“What concerns me the most is that Mr. Golden preyed on a family member,” Campbell said as she read the pre-sentencing report from Golden’s probation officer. “He was placed in a position of trust and responsibility as a babysitter.”
Campbell said while Golden’s actions “show remorse,” the probation officer who filed the report “noticed that Golden may not be so sure of the lasting harm he has caused to this victim.”
“With that being said, the probation officer believes the proposed sentencing fits well with his actions,” Campbell said.
Defense attorney Christopher Thorpe had no objection and respected the sentencing.
“It’s a very unfortunate and sad situation,” Thorpe said. “Mr. Golden has taken full responsibility for his actions. In fact, I don’t think I’ve ever had a client (cooperate) in this matter as Mr. Golden has in this case.”
Thorpe noted Golden’s time in state “will be mostly assured by the great circumstances that he finds himself in and bestowed upon this young (victim).”
Golden declined to comment on his sentencing and did not appeal it. A no-contact order of protection was filed in favor of the victim.
