Walton man pleads guilty to sex crimes

On March 11, Duane Kinne from Walton, NY, pleaded guilty to six counts of Unlawful Surveillance in the Second Degree and Criminal Sex Act in the First Degree. Delaware County District Attorney Shawn Smith expressed his lack of sympathy for Kinne during a news conference, emphasizing the severity of the offenses.

Kinne's criminal actions included secretly installing a digital recording device in a shower at a private residence, where he recorded six individuals without their consent. Additionally, he admitted to performing oral sex on a child who was under 13 years old, prompting strong reactions from law enforcement authorities.

Delaware County Sheriff Craig DuMond highlighted the challenges of achieving justice in such cases but reaffirmed the commitment to standing up for the victims, stating that while no punishment can fully restore their dignity, accountability has been established. Kinne was arrested in December and has entered a plea deal.

As part of his sentence, Kinne is expected to receive one year of incarceration for each count of Unlawful Surveillance, which will be served concurrently. He is also anticipated to be sentenced to 12 years in state prison, followed by 20 years of post-release supervision.

Following his release, Kinne will be required to register as a sex offender for life. The Director of Safe Against Violence, Stacy Osborn, expressed pride in their efforts to achieve justice for the victims and hold the offender accountable for his actions.