Sexual abuser's charges tossed

CANTON — A judge has dismissed a sexual abuse case against a Fort Covington man accused of molesting a young boy.

St. Lawrence County Judge Jerome J. Richards last month tossed out the case against Patrick P. Romeo, 67, for a lack of evidence. Romeo faced first-degree sexual abuse and child endangerment charges, court records show. He was accused of molesting a 7-year-old boy in August 2008 at Massena Town Beach in the town of Louisville.

The judge ruled that "since there were no witnesses to the alleged sexual contact between defendant and victim, and since the victim was not competent to give sworn testimony, there is no corroboration of the alleged sexual contact."

Romeo had been arraigned before Judge Richards on the St. Lawrence County charges in May.

Glenn MacNeill, an assistant Franklin County district attorney, said a federal sentencing scheduled in mid-July would have covered the charges in both counties.

Romeo was charged in Franklin County on two counts of first-degree sexual abuse, one count of second-degree sexual abuse and three counts each of child endangerment and forcible touching. He was charged in September with molesting three young boys, ages 7, 10 and 12, at a Fort Covington home in Franklin County. He was never indicted there.

Romeo admitted in February in federal court that he failed to register as a sex offender in New York. He admitted not registering as a sex offender after moving from California to Fort Covington in May, federal court records show. He was convicted in 2001 of molesting a 15-year-old girl in California in early 1996. He could face up to 10 years in federal prison and $250,000 in fines when sentenced on this violation July 14.