SMETHPORT — A Bradford man was sentenced Thursday for allegations he showed his genitals to three teens in 2016.
Codi L.M. Veite, 19, of Bradford, was given a sentence of 25 days to one year in McKean County Jail with credit for 25 days of time served. President Judge John Pavlock also ordered that for the next five weeks, Veite is to report during the day to complete at least 20 hours of community service per week.
Veite must also register as a sex offender for the next 25 years. During his sentence, he is to have no unsupervised contact with juveniles, undergo a mental health evaluation and complete the CareerLink program.
A jury found Veite guilty in December of charges of unlawful contact with a minor, indecent exposure and open lewdness.
At Thursday’s hearing, Assistant District Attorney Ashley Shade noted, “We do believe that the defendant requires some supervision in the community.”
Veite’s attorney, Public Defender Phil Clabaugh, asked that Pavlock offer a mitigated sentence and suggested he “find a more creative way to punish him than incarceration.”
Clabaugh noted that he worried about Veite being incarcerated.
When Pavlock asked if Veite wanted to make a comment, he simply said, “No, your honor.” When the judge asked about his job status, Veite said he has been looking for two years, and he is “trying to get his mind straight.”
Pavlock said he was the judge who heard the trial and added that while “no one should be penalized for going trial,” being at the trial meant he heard what the case was all about. “I just don’t understand why the defendant didn’t step forward and take some responsibility earlier.”
Pavlock noted that Veite was only 17 when the allegations took place and said, “I’m not sure he understood the illegality of what he was doing — not that it makes it right.” He hopes Veite understands now.
According to court records filed at the time of his arrest, Bradford City Police responded to a report of indecent exposure on April 16, 2016, on Pearl Street. Veite allegedly showed his genitals to a 13-year-old, 15-year-old and 17-year-old who were outside in front of a house. He allegedly made several comments referencing sexual intercourse to the teens, and told the teens he could be a “porn star.”
