Saratoga County District Attorney Karen A. Heggen reports that Nathaniel Bradford, DOB 5/8/1985, previously of the Town of Saratoga, was sentenced today in Saratoga County Court to an aggregate of 78 years to Life by Saratoga County Court Judge James A. Murphy, III following a conviction on February 2, 2023 by a trial jury of nine charges relating to the repeated sexual abuse for years of two victims under the age of eighteen.
Judge Murphy sentenced the defendant as follows:
- Predatory Sexual Assault, a Class A-II felony, in violation of New York State (“NYS”) Penal Law Section 130.95(2) for crimes committed December, 2017 to May 2020: 25 years to Life;
- Predatory Sexual Assault Against A Child, a Class A-II felony, in violation of NYS Penal Law Section 130.96 for crimes committed January 2014 to March 2019: 25 years to Life; concurrent with Count 1;
- Endangering the Welfare of a Child, a Class A misdemeanor, in violation of NYS Penal Law Section 260.10(1) for crimes committed January 2014 to May 2021: 364 days, which merges by operation of law with the state prison sentences;
- Predatory Sexual Assault Against a Child, a Class A-II felony, in violation of NYS Penal Law Section 130.96 for crimes committed December 2017 to May 2020; 25 years to Life; concurrent with Count 1, but consecutive to Count 2;
- Rape in the Second Degree, a Class D violent felony, in violation of NYS Penal Law Section 130.30(1) for a crime committed in the Spring 2021: 7 years, to be followed by 10 years of post-release supervision; concurrent to Count 1, but consecutive to Counts 2 and 4;
- Rape in the Second Degree, a Class D violent felony, in violation of NYS Penal Law Section 130.30(1) for a crime committed in the Summer 2020: 7 years, to be followed by 10 years of post-release supervision; concurrent to Count 1, but consecutive to Counts 2, 4 and 5;
- Criminal Sexual Act in the Second Degree, a Class D violent felony, in violation of NYS Penal Law Section 130.45(1) for a crime committed during the Summer 2020: 7 years, to be followed by 10 years of post-release supervision; concurrent to Count 1, but consecutive to Counts 2, 4, 5 and 6;
- Rape in the Second Degree, a Class D violent felony, in violation of NYS Penal Law Section 130.30(1) for a crime committed in the Summer 2020: 7 years, to be followed by 10 years of post-release supervision; concurrent to Count 1, but consecutive to Counts 2, 4, 5, 6 and 7;
- Endangering the Welfare of a Child, a Class A misdemeanor, in violation of NYS Penal Law Section 260.10(1) for crimes committed December 2017 to May 2021: 364 days, which merges by operation of law with the state prison sentences.
This results in an aggregate sentence of 78 years to life. Judge Murphy also issued Orders of Protection for the victims and the other members of their households for a period of 100 years; imposed a surcharge of $1,435 and required the defendant to provide a DNA sample. These crimes occurred in the Towns of Saratoga, Greenfield and the City of Saratoga Springs.
These convictions stem from an investigation by the Saratoga County Sheriff’s Department following a disclosure of the repeated sexual abuse inflicted on a victim by the defendant. With the assistance of the Harriet M. West Child Advocacy Center and the Saratoga County Department of Social Services Child Protective Services, an additional victim of the defendant was identified and the defendant charged.
At the sentencing today, Senior Assistant District Attorney Michele Schettino advocated for a maximum sentence of 78 years to Life. She noted the egregious conduct the defendant engaged in to silence the victims- such as enticing them with alcohol and drugs as he exploited the victims for years. She also noted the significant length of time the abuse continued and the continued abusive acts. Most importantly, ADA Schettino noted the strength and courage the victims demonstrated in coming forward.
The defendant’s attorney and the defendant also addressed the Court prior to sentencing. Defense Attorney Thomas Jackson drew the Court’s attention to the letters of support submitted from the defendant’s family and friends. The defendant also spoke to the Court, rambling on about the victims and their family, but never acknowledging responsibility for the crimes the jury found him guilty.
Judge Murphy also commended the victims who were “…brave enough to confront [the defendant].” He went on to state, “I believe them [the victims] and the jury believed them.” The Judge remarked that the defendant had “…stolen the childhood” of the victims. He then sentenced the defendant to an aggregate of 78 years to Life; imposed a 100-year Order of Protection for the victims and members of their households; imposed a mandatory surcharge of $1,435.00 and required the defendant to provide a DNA sample.
District Attorney Heggen praised the efforts of the many people involved in securing this conviction and sentence. “From the beginning involvement of the Saratoga County Sheriff’s Office, to their work with the Harriet M. West Child Advocacy Center that serves Saratoga County, this case was thoroughly investigated and evidence collected to support the conviction and sentence of this defendant. ADAs Michele Schettino and Rachael Phelan worked diligently to set forth a clear and complete case for the jury to consider. They were assisted throughout the process by many witnesses from law enforcement, our Saratoga County Department of Social Services-Child Protective Services, an expert in electronic evidence, civilian witnesses and the District Attorney’s Crime Victim Unit. It was this complete team that came together in presenting evidence that convinced the trial jury to convict the defendant of all nine counts submitted to them in approximately 30 minutes.”