By Rich Bockmann
The former Rochdale Little League coach who pleaded guilty last month to sexually abusing three teenage boys and taping two others in a sexual act was sentenced today to 18 years in prison.
David Hartshorn, 54, was arrested in early 2011 after one of his victims told his mother, who reported the abuse to the authorities.
The former Little League coach of the year pleaded guilty in August to one count of first-degree criminal sexual assault, two counts of second-degree criminal sexual act and two counts of use of a child in a sexual performance, according to Queens District Attorney Richard Brown.
On Friday, Queens Supreme Court Justice Richard Buchter gave Hartshorn an indeterminate sentence of 18 years.
“A coach can have a lasting impact on a child’s life. In this case, unfortunately, it was not in a good way,” Brown said. “The defendant has admitted to being a sexual predator who took advantage of his position as a Little League coach to get close to young boys before sexually abusing them. For that reason alone, the prison sentence meted out by the court today is more than warranted.”
Reach reporter Rich Bockmann by e-mail at rbockmann@cnglocal.com or by phone at 718-260-4574.
