| Columbia County Sheriff's Office |
David W. Harrison, Jr., SHERIFF James R. Sweet, UNDERSHERIFF
| Copyright ©2006 Columbia County Sheriff's Office, Hudson, NY 12534 |
Child Sex Abuser Receives 125 Year Sentence in Sheriff's Office Case
September 21, 2007
(2006 Investigation and Arrest by Sheriff's Office Uniformed Patrol and Criminal Investigation Branches)
September 21, 2007 Article from The Independent News Paper
"Czajka throws the book at convicted molester"
By DIANA LADDEN
HUDSON—Columbia County Judge Paul Czajka sent Brian A. Shultis, 62, of Hillsdale, to prison for 125 years Wednesday.
Mr. Shultis was convicted in July of 26 felonies and one misdemeanor for years of sexually abusing a now-13-year-old girl.
After the sentencing, Columbia County Sheriff David Harrison Jr. told reporters: “The judge and the jury saw Mr. Shultis for
what he is—a threat to the children of our community. To blame a small child for what happened is, in my opinion, the
action of a pedophile.”
“The sentence this court imposed is not nearly as harsh as the sentence you imposed on your victim,” Judge Czajka said to
the defendant during the sentencing process.
Before sentence was pronounced, Assistant District Attorney David Costanzo, who handled the case for the D.A.’s Office,
said that Mr. Shultis failed to accept responsibility for his actions. “ He made excuses. He blamed his health. He blamed the
victim,” said Mr. Costanzo, adding that there was no chance of rehabilitation for the defendant. Saying that he wanted to
ensure that Mr. Shultis “could not do this to this child or any other child,” the ADA asked for: 25 years for each of the five
counts of first degree criminal sexual acts, as well as 5 years of post-prison supervision; 5 to 15 years each for the three
counts of use of a child in a sexual act; 5 to 15 years for each of 2 counts of first degree sexual abuse; 7 years for each of
the 16 counts of possession of a sexual performance by a child and 3 years for endangering the welfare of a child. Also on
Mr. Costanzo’s list was an order of protection stipulating that Mr. Shultis have no contact with anyone under the age of 18.
Richard Koweek, attorney for Mr. Shultis, said that both of his client’s parents had died young and briefly highlighted each
of the man’s own maladies, accompanied by a rasping cough issuing from the defendant. Mr. Koweek also said that before
his arrest on long-term sexual abuse charges, he had never been in trouble with the law. The attorney also read letters
from two members of the clergy, one of whom characterized Mr. Shultis as “a polite, respectful and kind gentleman.”
Also, said Mr. Koweek, incarceration is meant to be rehabilitating and in light of Mr. Shultis’s age and poor health, he
requested minimum sentences to run concurrently instead of consecutively. The attorney also asked that any fines be
waived in view of Mr. Shultis’s indigence. He called the order of protection requested by Mr. Costanzo to be “over broad,”
as simply walking down a street could place Mr. Shultis in violation.
Mr. Shultis, shackles rattling, got to his feet and told Judge Czajka that he has “accepted responsibility” for his actions,
adding that there were no excuses for what he had done. He said that he was “overwhelmed” by the whole situation.
He also apologized to his victim and to his other “grandkids” since, he said, “I won’t be there on their behalf.”
But Judge Czajka was skeptical of Mr. Shultis’s acceptance of responsibility and said that his apology in court meant “little
or nothing” as he had told police in his statement that the sexual abuse was the fault of his young victim. The judge told Mr.
Shultis that he felt that the convicted man had apologized as a way of seeking a lighter sentence than he deserved. And,
he added, it is the penal law’s function to protect the community and deter Mr. Shultis and others like him from similar
conduct.
Judge Czajka sentenced Mr. Shultis to the maximum of 25 years for each of the 5 counts of first degree criminal sexual
acts, to be served consecutively with 5 years of post release supervision; 7 years for both counts of first degree sexual
abuse to be served concurrently with 3 years of post release supervision, an indeterminate sentence of 5 to 15 years for
each of 3 counts of use of a child in a sexual act, an indeterminate sentence of 16 months to 3 years for each of the 16
counts of possessing a sexual performance by a child and a year for the misdemeanor of endangering the welfare of a
child.
Mr. Shultis was also fined $5,000 and must pay a $379 surcharge. Judge Czajka also granted the order of protection
requested by Mr. Costanzo. Mr. Shultis is appealing the sentence.
To contact reporter Diana Ladden email dladden@IndeNews.com.
September 21, 2007
(2006 Investigation and Arrest by Sheriff's Office Uniformed Patrol and Criminal Investigation Branches)
September 21, 2007 Article from The Independent News Paper
"Czajka throws the book at convicted molester"
By DIANA LADDEN
HUDSON—Columbia County Judge Paul Czajka sent Brian A. Shultis, 62, of Hillsdale, to prison for 125 years Wednesday.
Mr. Shultis was convicted in July of 26 felonies and one misdemeanor for years of sexually abusing a now-13-year-old girl.
After the sentencing, Columbia County Sheriff David Harrison Jr. told reporters: “The judge and the jury saw Mr. Shultis for
what he is—a threat to the children of our community. To blame a small child for what happened is, in my opinion, the
action of a pedophile.”
“The sentence this court imposed is not nearly as harsh as the sentence you imposed on your victim,” Judge Czajka said to
the defendant during the sentencing process.
Before sentence was pronounced, Assistant District Attorney David Costanzo, who handled the case for the D.A.’s Office,
said that Mr. Shultis failed to accept responsibility for his actions. “ He made excuses. He blamed his health. He blamed the
victim,” said Mr. Costanzo, adding that there was no chance of rehabilitation for the defendant. Saying that he wanted to
ensure that Mr. Shultis “could not do this to this child or any other child,” the ADA asked for: 25 years for each of the five
counts of first degree criminal sexual acts, as well as 5 years of post-prison supervision; 5 to 15 years each for the three
counts of use of a child in a sexual act; 5 to 15 years for each of 2 counts of first degree sexual abuse; 7 years for each of
the 16 counts of possession of a sexual performance by a child and 3 years for endangering the welfare of a child. Also on
Mr. Costanzo’s list was an order of protection stipulating that Mr. Shultis have no contact with anyone under the age of 18.
Richard Koweek, attorney for Mr. Shultis, said that both of his client’s parents had died young and briefly highlighted each
of the man’s own maladies, accompanied by a rasping cough issuing from the defendant. Mr. Koweek also said that before
his arrest on long-term sexual abuse charges, he had never been in trouble with the law. The attorney also read letters
from two members of the clergy, one of whom characterized Mr. Shultis as “a polite, respectful and kind gentleman.”
Also, said Mr. Koweek, incarceration is meant to be rehabilitating and in light of Mr. Shultis’s age and poor health, he
requested minimum sentences to run concurrently instead of consecutively. The attorney also asked that any fines be
waived in view of Mr. Shultis’s indigence. He called the order of protection requested by Mr. Costanzo to be “over broad,”
as simply walking down a street could place Mr. Shultis in violation.
Mr. Shultis, shackles rattling, got to his feet and told Judge Czajka that he has “accepted responsibility” for his actions,
adding that there were no excuses for what he had done. He said that he was “overwhelmed” by the whole situation.
He also apologized to his victim and to his other “grandkids” since, he said, “I won’t be there on their behalf.”
But Judge Czajka was skeptical of Mr. Shultis’s acceptance of responsibility and said that his apology in court meant “little
or nothing” as he had told police in his statement that the sexual abuse was the fault of his young victim. The judge told Mr.
Shultis that he felt that the convicted man had apologized as a way of seeking a lighter sentence than he deserved. And,
he added, it is the penal law’s function to protect the community and deter Mr. Shultis and others like him from similar
conduct.
Judge Czajka sentenced Mr. Shultis to the maximum of 25 years for each of the 5 counts of first degree criminal sexual
acts, to be served consecutively with 5 years of post release supervision; 7 years for both counts of first degree sexual
abuse to be served concurrently with 3 years of post release supervision, an indeterminate sentence of 5 to 15 years for
each of 3 counts of use of a child in a sexual act, an indeterminate sentence of 16 months to 3 years for each of the 16
counts of possessing a sexual performance by a child and a year for the misdemeanor of endangering the welfare of a
child.
Mr. Shultis was also fined $5,000 and must pay a $379 surcharge. Judge Czajka also granted the order of protection
requested by Mr. Costanzo. Mr. Shultis is appealing the sentence.
To contact reporter Diana Ladden email dladden@IndeNews.com.