Woolery sentenced to consecutive prison terms

District Judge Derek Weimer did not mince words as he handed down his sentence to Joshua Woolery for two counts of first-degree sexual assault of a minor Wednesday morning, calling the factual circumstances of the charges "deeply disturbing."

Woolery, 26, of Sidney, was arrested in October 2015 and charged with six felony charges relating to the alleged sexual assault of a minor between the ages of 12 and 16. Last fall, he pleaded not guilty to two charges of first-degree sexual assault of a child, three charges of third-degree sexual assault of a child and one charge of attempted first-degree sexual assault of a child.

The case was set for a jury trial at the end of March before Woolery, his court-appointed attorney, Michael Samuelson, and Cheyenne County Attorney Paul Schaub reached the plea deal on two counts of first-degree sexual assault of a minor, which was filed with the district court on March 4.

First-degree sexual assault of a minor is a class 1B felony in the state of Nebraska. It carries a maximum sentence of life imprisonment and a minimum of 15 years.

Prior to sentencing, Schaub said he wanted to draw attention the evidence presented in the case, which he described as "overwhelming."

Schaub said Woolery was twice the age of his victims, and was considered a youth leader in the community. He also said that in statements included in the evidence, children described Woolery's apartment as "a kid's place to be."

"And the defendant even tried to escape culpability by stating that he was actually the victim," Schaub said.

Scaub said what was extremely disconcerting to him was the lifelong impact of Woolery's actions on his victims. He said one victim was currently suffering from depression since the sexual assault.

"Memories can not be changed or removed," Schaub said. "They will be there for life."

Schaub concluded by requesting the judge sentence Woolery to consecutive sentences for each charge.

In his statement prior to sentencing, Samuelson said Woolery had "made a very serious mistake," but said various testing showed him to be a low risk. He said the defendant was "incredibly apologetic" and willing accept whatever sentencing the court would impose.

"Obviously, he made a horrendous mistake and he's not going to tell you otherwise," Samuelson said.

Woolery also addressed the court himself before sentencing was pronounced.

"I'm sorry for what I did, and I'm truly ashamed for what I did," he said.

Weimer then proceeded with his judgement, telling the defendant that the parents of the victims had put their trust in him to care for their children.

"You took advantage in that trust in every conceivable way," Weimer said. "Those children had no way to consent. Only one person who was in that position, who knew what was right and wrong, and that was you."

Weimer said Woolery's action have impacted more than just the victims in the case.

"You have no idea what this will do to those boys," he said. "Because I don't."

Weimer then sentenced Woolery to sentences of no less than 20 years and no more than 40 years in the Nebraska criminal justice system for each of the two charges, and for each sentence to be served consecutively.

Woolery will not be eligible for parole for a minimum of 35 years.