A man who admitted to sexually assaulting a 13-year-old in Colonie was sentenced on Friday to 14 years in prison.

Derek George, 33, of Colonie, had pleaded guilty in Albany County Court in January to first-degree criminal sex act. The sexual assault happened on Halloween 2021. George knew the victim.

Assistant District Attorney Ariel Fallon read a series of victim impact statements including from the victim, who said she is still grappling with the trauma from the crime.

“I want you to know that despite the darkness you inflicted upon me, I am fighting to reclaim my life and my voice,” Fallon said, reading from the statement. “I may be scarred, but I am not defined by what you did to me. I will find a way to heal even if the journey feels endless. I will rise from this, and I will not let your actions define my future.”

The victim’s mother, sister and brother also provided statements. The victim’s sister said she still has nightmares about the event. The crime has affected the whole family.

“You don’t deserve to walk freely or breathe the same air that we breathe,” Fallon said reading another statement.

“This is a ripple of trauma that will affect us the rest of our lives,” said another statement.

George’s attorney, Trevor Hannigan, lobbied for a sentence of 10 years. He said that his client has taken responsibility for his actions by pleading guilty and is remorseful.

“I would respectfully submit to you the sum of an individual is not their worse moment, and certainly this is Mr. George’s worse moment, and he acknowledges that,” he said. 

In the presentencing report, Hannigan said his client told investigators that he was assaulted when he was a teenager by being placed into a burning fire. George is also a victim of sex abuse as a child, and has some mental health issues with which he is now addressing.

George spoke very briefly.

“I’m sorry for all the harm that I’ve done,” he said. 

Judge Andra Ackerman said she did not accept being a sexual abuse victim as a mitigating factor.

“I think it’s even worse when you’ve been through it, know what it feels like, and you do it to someone else,” she said.

In addition, George was deemed a predicate felon. He has a previous conviction in April 2022 for attempted criminal possession of a controlled substance. He was sentenced to 5 years of probation in that case.

George must also serve 20 years of post-release supervision.