FARMINGTON — A Franklin County justice sentenced a Jay man Friday to 10 years in prison and six years probation for sexually abusing two girls between Jan. 1, 2007, and Aug. 15, 2011.
Joshua K. Welch, 32, pleaded guilty Oct. 22 to 10 counts of unlawful sexual contact with the girls, who were under age 16. The state dismissed a gross sexual assault charge as part of a plea agreement.
Justice Michaela Murphy also sentenced Welch to serve 10 years all suspended on a second count of unlawful sexual contact to run consecutive to the first count. He was also sentenced to 10 years each on three more unlawful sexual contact charges to run concurrent with the first sentence. Murphy also ordered him to serve five years each on five lesser charges of unlawful sexual contact to run concurrent with the other charges.
Prior to sentencing, one of the victims told the court she doesn’t think she will recover from what was done to her.
“The things you did to me will stay with me for life. You’ve scarred me for life,” the girl said.
The girl’s mother asked that Welch be given the maximum punishment allowed by law.
The girl’s grandfather told Welch that he denied the girls a normal childhood.
“They lived in fear” that you would molest them again, he said.
The first disclosure of the sexual misconduct was made in 2007 but there was not enough evidence to bring charges, according to court discussion.
Assistant District Attorney Andrew Robinson said Welch stopped the sexual abuse for a while and started again until another disclosure was made in August 2011. This time there was enough evidence to bring charges.
Welch’s attorney, William Maselli, said his client always held a job and was responsible. He also has a history of helping others.
Welch’s mother, Annette Welch, said she and her husband brought Joshua up the best they could. He was never a drinker or partier.
“I don’t know what went wrong,” she said.
She said her son needed counseling. She also observed him with children and he was good with them, she said.
Maselli said his client stepped up to take responsibility so the girls would not have to testify in court. He has no criminal history and a good work ethic, he said.
“He is looking forward to getting out and making the most of his life,” Maselli said.
Welch said he was sorry for what the children had to go through.
dperry@sunjournal.com
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- Joshua Welch
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