D.A. CZAJKA ANNOUNCES GUILTY PLEA
District Attorney Paul Czajka has announced that on April 27, 2017, William Kraus was convicted by guilty plea of Rape in the 1st Degree, a class B Violent Felony; Criminal Use of a Firearm, a class B Violent Felony; and Unlawful Imprisonment in the First Degree, a class E Felony, the Honorable Richard M. Koweek presiding.
Sheriff David Bartlett’s Investigators and Deputies arrested Kraus on January 27, 2017 and charged him with these three offenses, all of which resulted in convictions.
Defendant Kraus had unlawfully imprisoned and raped his victim with the use of a loaded shotgun in Hillsdale.
District Attorney Czajka commended Sheriff Bartlett’s investigation (Investigators Patrick Logue and Skype and Deputies Joseph Kilmer and Ian Boehme) but reserved his highest praise for the victim: “After suffering this brutal attack, the victim had the presence of mind to contact the Sheriff through 911. Thereafter, she courageously assisted Sheriff’s Deputies and Investigators in apprehending her attacker.”
Judge Koweek will sentence defendant on June 12, 2017. He faces a sentence of from five (5) to twenty-five (25) years with the New York State Department of Corrections.
Michael C. Howard, Esq. represents Kraus.