Ex-Livingston man guilty of sexually abusing two children
A former Livingston man has been found guilty of 16 felony counts stemming from the sexual assault of two children, according to Columbia County District Attorney Paul Czajka.
John Acklin, 56, of Bandera, Texas, formerly of Livingston, was convicted by a Columbia County jury on Friday, Aug. 9, of one count of course of sexual conduct against a child; 10 counts of criminal sexual act; one count of aggravated sexual abuse in the first degree; and four counts of aggravated sexual abuse in the second degree, according to the district attorney.
Authorities have said the children were under 11 at the time of the assaults, which they said were committed in the town of Livingston between December 2004 and March 2006. After Acklin moved to Texas, the abuse ended, according to state police.
Several other counts were dismissed, having expired under the statute of limitations.
Acklin was taken into custody in Texas on Oct. 25, 2018, and extradited to New York on Nov. 8, state police said at the time.
“As long as I’ve been dealing with these cases, the courage of child survivors never ceases to amaze me,” Czajka said in a prepared statement.
The case was investigated by state police Investigator Robin Reed, assisted by Texas Rangers, and prosecuted by Chief Assistant District Attorney James Carlucci. Attorney John Hillman represented Acklin.
Czajka said he expects Acklin, who faces sentencing on Oct. 4, 2019, will spend the rest of his life in prison.