Attorney General Peter F. Kilmartin announced that Theodore Gathmann (age 20), of Roswell, GA, pleaded guilty before Superior Court Justice Stephen P. Nugent to one count of first degree child molestation. Under the terms of the plea, Gathmann was sentenced to 25 years with 12 years to serve, ordered to undergo sex offender counseling, and is subject to lifetime sex offender registration and community notification.
Had the case proceeded to trial, the State was prepared to prove that on or about December 5, 2015, Gathmann molested a 13-year-old girl known to him. At the time of the assault, the defendant, victim, and others were staying in Newport for the funeral of a relative. The victim immediately reported the assault to her mother, who in turn contacted the Newport Police Department.
Newport Police Detective Jacqueline Wuest led the investigation and Assistant Attorney General Roger Demers prosecuted the case on behalf of the Office of Attorney General