NORWICH – A Town of German man who admitted he tried to kidnap a 21-year-old woman in an empty Norwich parking lot was sentenced to five years in state prison Friday and may have to register as a sex offender.
Andrew Jason Waterman, 32, of Willet Line Road (McDonough address) was sentenced to five years in state prison and five years post-release supervision. Waterman pleaded guilty to the top count against him – second degree kidnapping, a Class B felony – a day before his jury trial was scheduled to begin on June 21.
First Assistant District Attorney Stephen Dunshee said the woman was attacked as she walked home from work in the lot behind the VFW near East Main and Silver Street in the City of Norwich at around 9 p.m., March 27, 2009.
“The victim got out of work and took a shortcut behind an alley near the New Beginnings Church. He (Waterman) approached her and asked her out. She rejects his engagement, but he follows her to another parking lot. This is where he puts her in a bear hug and knocks her to the ground. He put his hand on her mouth and nose; the victim said she nearly passed out. She fought with him, pulled the glasses off his face and struck him in head. As she fought to get free, he threatened to kill her,” said Dunshee.
Dunshee requested that Chenango County Court Judge W. Howard Sullivan arrange a hearing to determine if Waterman should be a registered sex offender.
“Defendants pleading to non-sexual crimes, like kidnapping, can still be considered for sex offender registration if the court finds the criminal offense was sexually motivated,” said Dunshee.
Dunshee added that Waterman admitted no motive in his plea, but prosecutors were contending that the crimes were sexually driven.
“Mr. Waterman is a very dangerous man and what happened in this case could have been a lot worse if it wasn’t for the strength and courage of victim, who fought her attack off and ran to find help,” said District Attorney Joseph McBride.
The victim appeared at the sentencing along side the City of Norwich police officers assigned to the case, but declined to make comment in court.
