Published: Nov. 27, 2018
Teen sentenced to prison for child enticement, blackmail
By Nicholas Dettmann
ndettmann@conleynet.com 262-306-5043
WEST BEND — Washington County Judge Andrew
Gonring spent more than 20 minutes going over the juvenile criminal record of
Braydin Michael Hay during a sentencing hearing Monday.
When finished, Gonring expressed disappointment
in the 17-year-old’s inability to take previous penalties and warnings
seriously.
“I don’t have sympathy for you,” Gonring said.
He also referred to an appearance in Gonring’s
courtroom on Hay’s 17th birthday nearly a year ago, when Gonring warned him if
the behavior didn’t stop, serious penalties awaited.
Gonring sentenced Hay to 14 years in the state
prison system, four years of initial confinement and 10 years extended
supervision.
Hay was charged with seven counts overall,
three counts of sexual intercourse with a child and three counts of child
enticement, as well as one count of misdemeanor bail jumping.
Hay was convicted and sentenced on one count of
child enticement. The remaining charges were dismissed, but considered in
sentencing.
The Hubertus teen set up false social media
accounts to coerce victims into sexual
activities, then use it as blackmail. In unrelated cases, he impersonated a law
enforcement officer and stole and used family credit cards.
Two members of the victim’s family — her
grandmother and mother — read prepared statements to the court. The grandmother
fighting through tears, said Hay’s actions have “created many sleepless nights”
and their security has been compromised. The mother, also fighting tears, said
the victim feels “humiliated” and “it breaks my heart” to see the victim
struggle.
She also said “you’re a predator and you need
to be stopped.”
Then, the victim read an emotional prepared
statement to the court.
“Every day I wake up sick to my stomach,” the
victim said. “I’m ashamed to look at my family. It has affected my
relationships with my friends.”
During the readings, Hay didn’t make eye
contact and looked straight ahead.
Letters of character were submitted for Hay,
including by his mother, who was commended by the victim and the victim’s
family for stepping up and reporting the behavior. Hay’s mother turned in her
son once she learned of the behavior when she saw his cellphone.
Hay was given the chance to speak.
“I’m ashamed for my actions in this case,” he
said.
He hoped the victim and the victim’s family can
find it in their heart to forgive him.
“I realize now I need help,” Hay said. “I take
full responsibility for my actions. I’m 17 and I have my whole life ahead of
me.”
Hay’s age was a point of emphasis by his
attorney, who attributed Hay’s actions to his lack of insight and understanding
of their severity and argued for a lighter sentence based on his lack of an
adult criminal record.
In the end, Gonring said he couldn’t ignore
Hay’s behavior, which he called predatory.
He said in nearly 20 years on the bench,
sending a 17year-old to prison isn’t easy. But, in this case, any punishment
less than confinement was not realistic.
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