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Victims recount ordeals, sex offender receives 35-year prison sentence

Greg Masse

After hearing videotaped and live courtroom testimony from victims on Monday, Ninth District Judge J.E. DeVilbiss sentenced 46-year-old George Aaron Velky to 35 years in prison.

Velky, convicted of two felony counts of aggravated sexual crimes and one count of felony menacing with a handgun, could have received up to 67 years in prison.

The first victim testified via a videotaped interview. She said she didn’t want to testify in person because she was afraid seeing Velky would make her lose any progress she’s made in counseling.



“The stresses (Velky) put on me made me into a walking zombie,” she said.

The victim added that Velky made her “live in fear of him” and she still has “torturous dreams and nightmares.”



Another victim testified in court, telling DeVilbiss that Velky physically, verbally and sexually abused her.

A man close to the victims spoke to the court on their behalf.

“I’m Christian and I hope God will forgive him, but he has to be punished,” the man said.

Velky sobbed and said, “It was obviously wrong, improper and every other word that could be used.”

After reciting the charges and recommendations by the probation department, DeVilbiss sentenced Velky to 35 years: 16 years for each count of a sex crime and three years for felony menacing.

“I think you are a psychopath,” DeVilbiss said. “It’s remarkable to me that you (said) there were needs being fulfilled on both ends – and then you refer to her needs.”


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