Skip packman jailed for indecent assault of a child
Describing it as a crime “committed in the back alleyways” of one’s soul, a judge sent a Skippack Township man to jail for having indecent contact with a 6-year-old girl.
Sean M. Caines, 32, of the 4100 block of Rittenhouse Lane, was sentenced in Montgomery County Court on Monday to 11½ to 23months in the county jail in connection with one incident that occurred at a Skippack residence in December 2015 while the girl was in Caines’ company. With an additional five years’ probation, Caines will be under court supervision for a total of seven years.
“This is a crime that was committed in the back al- leyways of your soul,” Judge Steven T. O’Neill addressed Caines while imposing the punishment. “What you did to (the victim), what the jury convicted you of, is in a far darker place. When you committed that indecent assault you endangered (the victim).”
On April 7, a jury convicted Caines of charges of indecent assault of a child, endangering the welfare of a child and corruption of aminor in connection with the incident.
Caines will have to report his address to state police for the rest of his life as a result of his conviction.
Caines denied the allegations when he testified in his own defense during the three-day trial. Caines suggested the girl was not telling the truth. Caines, according to testimony, continued to proclaim his innocence to probation officials during a presentence interview.
On Monday, Caines, a U.S. Navy veteran who said he once aspired to become a state police trooper, offered no apology and asked for the judge’s mercy.
“I want to be able to move forward,” said Caines, claiming he lost his social status inthe community and likely the chance to fulfill his goal of becoming a trooper as a result of his conviction. “I have, my entire life, lived a life of serving. I lived a life of sacrifice… for my friends and family.”
Assistant District Attorney Matthew Brittenburg argued Caines’ statements were telling.
“He essentially accepts no responsibility. That speaks to a potential for recidivism,” claimed Brittenburg, who argued for a lengthy prison term against Caines. “The defendant honorably served his country, but at the end of the day the real hero was (the victim). She’s the courageous one here, not the defendant.”
An investigation began after the child’s mother reported to state police at Skippack that she learned Caines had indecent contact with the girl while the girl was in the company of Caines at a Skippack residence on Dec. 15,2015. Awitness observed the incident, according to court papers and testimony.
The girl subsequently described the inappropriate contact to her mother, to police and to counselors at Mission Kids, Montgomery County’s child advocacy facility where medical professionals, social workers, police officers and attorneys come together to streamline the investigative process and provide victims with the necessary support services to help them heal.
The girl testified during the trial about the indecent contact, which involved inappropriate touching. The jury also viewed a videotape of the girl’s Mission Kids interview.
The victim’s mother told the judge her family was devastated by the crime.
Defense lawyer Peter Thomas argued the allegations lodged against Caines were in “stark contrast” to his character and past behavior, citing Caines’ military service, including two tours of duty during which he helped locate a sailor who was lost at sea. Thomas sought a time served sentence for Caines with credit for the nearly sixmonths he’s been in jail while awaiting sentencing.
“Make no mistake, a jury has spoken,” O’Neill said as he ordered additional jail time for Caines.
Caines also pleaded guilty to an unrelated charge of driving under the influence of alcohol in connectionwith a one-vehicle crash that occurred April 27 during which Caines crashed into a telephone pole and several mailboxes in Lower Salford.
The crash occurred just 20 days after Caines was convicted of the indecent assault charges and while hewas free on bail awaiting sentencing.
When police interacted with Caines they detected an odor of alcohol on his breath and Caines exhibited signs of impairment during field sobriety testing, prosecutors alleged. Caines refused to submit to blood-alcohol testing and he was charged with alleged DUI, authorities said.