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Office of the District Attorney P. David Soares Sandra “Beth” Geisel Indicted on Four Felony Counts ALBANY , NY – District Attorney P. David Soares today announced that SANDRA B. GEISEL, 42 formerly of the Town of Colonie, NY has been indicted on three counts of Rape in the 3 rd Degree and one count of a Criminal Sexual Act in the 3 rd Degree. The indictment alleges that on three separate occasions, GEISEL, an individual over the age of 21 years, engaged in sexual intercourse with an individual who was less than 17 years old at the time. These events took place on May 15 th, 2005 in the early morning hours in the Town of Colonie; sometime between the late night hours of May 26 th 2005 and the early morning hours of May 27 th, 2005 in the Village of Ravena; and between the late night hours of May 28 th, 2005 and early morning hours of May 29 th, 2005 at the press box of the athletic field of Christian Brothers Academy at 12 Airline Drive in the Town of Colonie. The indictments further allege that GEISEL engaged in a criminal sexual act with the victim sometime between the late night hours of May 26 th 2005 and the early morning hours of May 27 th, 2005 in the Village of Ravena . Each of the counts carries a possible 1 1/3 rd to 4 year sentence. DA Soares cited his “One Standard of Justice” pledge in explaining how his Office has prosecuted the case. “There are legal and moral issues involved in this case. The law states that a minor, someone under the age of 17 years, can not legally consent to engaging in sex with an adult over the age of 21 years. As a prosecutor sworn to uphold the law, I am obligated to prosecute this case just like any other. But to those who say that we shouldn’t be prosecuting this case, I say, let’s not overlook the issues of class and gender in that reaction. It’s no secret that the national media has been interested in this case because the defendant is an attractive, wealthy, woman who happens to be a teacher at a private Catholic military school. But these very facts, the facts that make this case a national sensation, are facts that my Office must ignore, has ignored, and will continue to ignore. What we have here is an allegation than an adult over the age of 21 engaged in sex with someone under the age of 17. The statute refers to that act as Rape in the 3 rd Degree and today the Grand Jury indicted BETH GEISEL based on that statute. I am satisfied with their decision,” he said. GEISEL is expected to be arraigned on the charges before the Honorable Stephen W. Herrick on Tuesday, September 13 th, 2005 . Back to Press Releases For further information contact: Richard Arthur
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