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	Former Probabion Officer Sentenced in Abuse Case By Omar Aquije The Post-Star May 25, 2007 http://www.poststar.com/articles/2007/05/25/news/latest/doc46577f84d3df6830789630.txt Glens Falls — Bradford K. Overton, a former Warren County probation officer, was sentenced on Friday to 6 months in Warren County Jail on misdemeanor charges that he fondled two male teens. In addition, Glens Falls Judge Richard Tarantino sentenced Overton, 30, to 6 years of probation and issued a 5-year order of protection requiring him to stay away from the victims and three family members. Overton, a Glens Falls resident, must also register for sex offender status. A judge will determine the level of his status before Overton is released from jail. The Washington County District Attorney's Office, which handled the case as a special prosecutor, agreed to drop a felony sex abuse charge against Overton, who instead pleaded guilty to two misdemeanor charges of forcible touching. Overton has admitted to touching the buttocks of two boys, ages 15 and 16, at his home last summer. He knew the boys through a Queensbury church where he was a youth group leader. Washington County District Attorney Kevin Kortright said the victims and their families were comfortable with the sentencing. "We felt that was a proper disposition of the case. We talked to the victims (and their families), and they were all on board with what we were doing," he said. Overton's attorney, Garfield Raymond, said Overton has apologized for the crime and is taking responsibility for his actions. "The things he said he did only go to a misdemeanor," Raymond said after the sentencing. "He accepted that responsibility." Overton had also been charged with first-degree sexual abuse, a felony, for allegedly having sexual contact with a 9-year-old boy he met while working as a Warren County Child Protective Services caseworker in 2004-05. But prosecutors dropped that charge because of problems with evidence. Raymond had said his client vehemently denied any improper contact with the 9-year-old boy. Overton resigned from his position with the probation department shortly after his first arrest in the case on Dec. 5. The Washington County probation department will handle his case, Kortright said. "It's always disappointing when an official uses his position to have access to kids," Kortright said. "I hope parents take note and watch for the signs (of abuse)."
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