Man to get 10 years for Rape in the First Degree and also admits committing crime of felony Criminal Mischief for damaging gas tanks on vehicles and Attempting to Burglarize a house in Halfmoon.
Saratoga County District Attorney James A. Murphy, III announced today that Zachary Currier (dob 6-20-94) of Geyser Road, Ballston Spa, NY, pleaded guilty to Rape in the First Degree a violent felony for forcibly compelling a female to have intercourse. The victim woke to her assailant, Mr. Currier, in her bedroom with what appeared to be a handgun (a pellet gun). He proceeded to threaten her and forced her to engage in sexual intercourse. He is expected to receive ten years in a State Prison facility with up to 20 years of post-release supervision. An Order of Protection will be issued at the time of sentencing. Mr. Currier will also have to register as a sex offender upon his release from prison. He will also be considered for the possibility of Civil Confinement.
The victim and defendant had known each other for some time.
In an unrelated investigation, Currier also admitted to playing a part in a string of Criminal Mischief cases wherein he and his co-defendants drilled holes is the gas tanks of vehicles and drained them of gasoline. He is expected to be sentenced to 1-3 years in a State Prison facility based upon his admission of guilt and restitution by way of judgment has been ordered for the victims who incurred costs in repairing their vehicles. The vehicles were throughout Saratoga County.
In addition, Currier pleaded guilty to an unrelated Attempted Burglary which occurred in the Town of Halfmoon. He is expected to be sentenced to 3 years in a State Prison Facility for his role in that crime with post release supervision of up to 3 years. Restitution has been ordered for the victims of the Attempted Burglary. The property attempted to be taken was one or more flat screen TVs.
Murphy praised the work of law enforcement stating, “We would not be able to obtain the convictions we do without the tireless efforts of law enforcement. Justice was served today. All of the cases were important, but in the case of the rape, the victim was most relieved that she didn’t have to endure testifying against him in open court and was thankful that the defendant took responsibility for his crimes. Three ADAs were handling Mr. Currier’s cases, Lyn Murphy handled the domestic violence/rape case, Jen Buckley the Burglary case and Karen Heggen the gas tank cases. The level of cooperation that the prosecutors, police and victims of crime demonstrated assisted in the efficient delivery of prosecutorial resources.”