WI- Madison man gets probation in Internet sex sting

5-30-2008 Wisconsin:

Because he is a citizen of India, Amol Girish Date, 24, also could be deported or lose his chance at U.S. citizenship, the judge said.

During the plea and sentencing hearing, Sauk County District Attorney Patricia Barrett and Date's attorney, Harold L. Harlowe of Madison, presented a report on Date by Madison-based psychologist Patricia Coffey. Both attorneys accepted Coffey's evaluation that Date does not represent a high risk to re-offend or harm others.

Harlowe referred to his client as a very naive person.

"He has no criminal or anti-social history," he said. "I don't believe there is any evidence he was acting in a predatory way."

Barrett pointed out Date was arrested during a sting in which a Sauk Prairie police officer pretended to be a 14-year-old girl online.

"This particular crime does not have an actual victim," she said.

After reading Coffey's report, Judge Patrick Taggart agreed with their positions.

Date pleaded no contest to using a computer to facilitate a child sex crime and was convicted, but escaped the maximum 40-year prison term and $100,000 fine that could have been imposed.

Instead, Taggart accepted the penalty agreed on by the prosecution and defense, in which Date was placed on probation for three years, has to register as a sex offender and also receive sex offender treatment. He cannot use a computer or be in contact with girls under 18 years old unless his probation agent allows it. He paid nearly $400 in court costs and fees.

A Madison man caught in an Internet sting after police say he came to Sauk City to have sex with a 14-year-old girl in November is a low risk to the community, a judge decided Friday. He accepted a plea agreement requiring the defendant to serve three years of probation and undergo sex offender registration and treatment. ..News Source.. by WisNews.com