BERNE — A Berne man pleaded guilty to sexually abusing a girl whom he was babysitting in Watervliet.

Gordon Satterday, 34, of 1638 Helderberg Trail, Berne, pleaded guilty last Thursday, before Judge Stephen W. Herrick, to one count of first-degree sexual abuse.

He faces three years in state prison and two years of post-release supervision.

According to the Watervliet Police Department at the time of the arrest, on Sept. 23 Satterday was babysitting the child of an acquaintance in Watervliet when he molested her. The girl was younger than 11 years old, the indictment says.

The girl told her mother about the abuse, police say, and the mother called the police. Satterday was picked up by the police, and, during an interview, admitted to the crime, said Watervliet Sergeant Edward Watson.
Watson described the abuse as "inappropriate fondling of the genitals."

Satterday had no prior history of abuse, Watson said.

Albany County District Attorney David Soares noted the speed with which the case was prosecuted. Now, he said, the victim can get on with her life.

Sentencing is scheduled for Jan. 19, 2006.