Scotia Man Admits To Raping A Teenager

A Scotia man entered a guilty plea in Schenectady County District Court for raping an underage child and faces up to seven years of imprisonment when he is sentenced in September

Once again a middle-aged predator has been convicted of engaging in sexual acts with a child under the age of 17. On Wednesday, 48-year-old Joel Steinhoff of Scotia pleaded guilty to two felony counts of third-degree Rape.

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According to the Schenectady County District Attorney’s Office, Mr. Steinhoff admitted to engaging in sexual acts with a 15-year-old child from July 2020 until December of 2020. He admitted to having sexual intercourse with a child that he knew, on at least two occasions, in his home in Scotia.

He was charged with three counts of third-degree Criminal Sexual Act (oral sex with a child under 17 years of age); eight counts of third-degree Rape (sexual intercourse with a child under 17 years of age); and one count of Endangering the Welfare of a Child (sexual relationship with a child under 17 years of age).

Schenectady County District Attorney Robert Carney made the announcement. He said, “Acting on a tip from someone with knowledge of the crime, the Scotia Police conducted a thorough investigation led by Detective Mike Peckham that secured the cooperation of the victim and through the execution of search warrants obtained corroborating documentary and forensic evidence. Members of the County Child Protective Services interviewed the victim at the Child Advocacy Building.

Mr. Steinhoff is scheduled to appear in court on September 22, 2021 and he is expected to be sentenced to seven years in prison and 10 years of probation. In addition, he will have to register as a sex offender for the rest of his life.