Eighteen Year Sentence in Rape Case

Robert Whitbeck Jr., 51, was found guilty by a Schoharie County jury on Monday, June 17, 2024 after a week-long trial in the Schoharie County Court. Mr. Whitbeck was convicted of the following charges: Criminal Sexual Act in the First Degree, a class B felony; Attempted Rape in the First Degree, a class C Violent Felony; Rape in the Third Degree, a class E felony; Criminal Obstruction of Breathing or Blood Circulation, a class A Misdemeanor; Unlawful Imprisonment in the Second Degree, a class A Misdemeanor; and TEN (10) counts of Criminal Contempt in the Second Degree, class A Misdemeanors. 

Mr. Whitbeck was sentenced in Schoharie County Court on August 19, 2024, to the following: Eighteen (18) years determinate with Twenty (20) years Post Release Supervision, on the Criminal Sexual Act in the First Degree charge; Twelve (12) years determinate with Fifteen (15) years Post Release Supervision on the Attempted Rape in the First Degree charged Four (4) years determinate with ten (10) years Post Release Supervision on the Rape in the Third Degree Charge; One (1) year on the Criminal Obstruction of Breathing or Blood Circulation charge; One (1) year on the Unlawful Imprisonment in the Second Degree charge; and one (1) year on each of the TEN (10) counts of Criminal Contempt in the Second Degree. All time is to be served concurrently. Mr. Whitbeck must also register as a Sex Offender under the Sex Offender Registration Act (SORA), submit his DNA and pay a $50 DNA fee, pay all mandatory state surcharges and crime victim assistance fees, all firearms must be surrendered, and an Order of Protection is in place until 2070 for the victims. 

District Attorney Susan J. Mallory would like to thank Assistant District Attorney Stephen Goble, who prosecuted the case, and the survivor for her courage to press charges and testify to the horrific incidents that occurred with Mr. Whitbeck. Mr. Whitbeck was convicted of rape and attempted rape stemming from two separate attacks. Mr. Whitbeck was found to have applied pressure to the survivor's throat and prevented the survivor from leaving during his attack. Further, Mr. Whitbeck continued to contact the survivor despite the order of protection.