ALBANY – District Attorney P. David Soares Thursday announced that Richard Clevenstine, 59, of Bethlehem, NY, was sentenced to 24 2/3 years in prison and 29 years post release supervision in Albany County Court.

Clevenstine was found guilty after a jury trial of 11 counts including two counts of Rape in the Second Degree, three counts of Rape in the Third Degree, one count of Criminal Sexual Act in the Third Degree, three counts of Endangering the Welfare of a Child, and one count each of Attempted Criminal Sexual Act in the Third Degree, and Sexual Abuse in the Third Degree.

Between January of 2006 and August of 2007, Clevenstine repeatedly sexually abused two teenage girls. He engaged in sexual and oral intercourse with one child who was less than 15 years old, he directed both girls to masturbate and instructed them how, and also engaged in sexually explicit dialogue by way of instant messages with both girls.

Clevenstine befriended the family of the two victims in order to gain their trust and then engaged in a grooming process with both girls in order to ensure their silence in committing the crimes.

If you, or anyone you know has been a victim of abuse, please call the Crime Victim Unit to speak with a Victim Witness Specialist at 694-8445.