A Morgan County man has been sentenced to 25-100 years in the state penitentiary for sexual assault of a preteen in 2023.
Aidan S. Roderick, 20, of Berkeley Springs appeared before Judge Debra McLaughlin in Morgan County Circuit Court on February 6 to be sentenced for the crimes.
Roderick addressed the court before the judge handed down his sentence. He read a letter in which he apologized to the victim, her family and the community for his crimes. Roderick asked for an opportunity to contribute to society in a positive way, and asked for consideration when being sentenced.
Judge McLaughlin took no pause before sentencing Roderick to 25-100 years in prison, the maximum sentence for the crime.
“There is a reason why the sentence is so significant,” Judge McLaughlin said. “You didn’t just commit sexual assault. You ruined the life of a child.”
She told Roderick his actions had left the victim and her family to pick up the pieces after his assaults.
The only allowance the court made in his case was letting Roderick plead to just one count of sexual assault. He was accused of committing sexual assault against the preteen victim on three occasions.
“Your statement understates what happened in this case,” Judge McLaughlin said.
“Do I think the penitentiary will help you? Not really. You’ll be under supervised release of 25 years. During that time, maybe you’ll get the treatment you need. Sometimes the penitentiary is just for punishment. I don’t see anything in this case to favor leniency,” said the judge.
