Saratoga County District Attorney Karen A. Heggen reports that Craig N. Ross, Jr., (dob 3/17/1977) of Ballston Spa, NY pleaded guilty on February 21, 2024 to Kidnapping in the 1st Degree, a Class “A-I” felony, in violation of New York State Penal Law Section 135.25(1); Predatory Sexual Assault Against a Child, a Class “A-II” felony, in violation of NYS Penal Law Section 130.96 regarding his acts in the Town of Milton during the period of September 30, 2023 through October 2, 2023.
Ross appeared before Saratoga County Court Judge James A. Murphy, III with his attorney, Saratoga County Conflict Defender Matthew Maiello, and admitted to kidnapping a child and having engaged in sexual intercourse with the child, who was less than thirteen years old. This plea was taken in recognition of all of the nine charges filed by a Saratoga County Grand Jury in November, 2023.
Special Victims Unit Bureau Chief Jennifer L. Buckley headed the prosecution, along with Assistant District Attorney Mary T. Northrup. Buckley set forth on the record before Judge Murphy that with the guilty pleas of Defendant Ross, the prosecution recommends that Ross be sentenced to 25 years to life for the Kidnapping charge and 22 years to life for the Predatory Sexual Assault Against a Child, with the sentences to run consecutive, for an aggregate sentence of 47 years to life. Additionally, a 100 year Order of Protection is to be issued in favor of the victim and court-imposed fines and surcharges imposed.
Saratoga County District Attorney Karen A. Heggen noted, “With the guilty plea today of Craig N. Ross, Jr., the victim and their family were able to hear the defendant admit his guilt to these heinous and despicable acts. His admission of guilt ends the question of who was responsible for the kidnapping that rallied our entire community together to assist in locating her. He will serve decades in prison before any parole consideration is available to him. This result is due to the tremendous efforts of the New York State Police and their numerous law enforcement partners, along with the outpouring of support from the citizens of the community who turned out in so many ways in support of the child and their family.”
DA Heggen also makes note of New York State Civil Rights Law Section 50-b, which provides in pertinent part that “…The identity of any victim of a sexual offense, as defined in article one hundred thirty… of the penal law… shall be confidential.” Therefore, DA Heggen requests that any entity reporting or commenting on this case not use the name or photograph of the victim.