AUGUSTA — A retired guidance counselor and teacher will spend 18 months in a county jail for sexually molesting two young girls — who were not his students — in 2006.

Carl A. Seaward Jr., 82, of Wilton, pleaded guilty Friday in Kennebec County Superior Court to three counts of unlawful sexual contact and one of unlawful sexual touching involving two different victims.

The crimes occurred in Seaward’s home around September 2006, according to Franklin County Superior Assistant District Attorney Andrew Robinson, who prosecuted the case.

Seaward, who has been jailed since his May 22 arrest, was sentenced to eight years in prison with all but 18 months suspended and 10 years of probation.

Seaward taught high school mathematics and science for several years and later became a guidance counselor. He worked at Jay Elementary School until 2002, according to school records.

“I’m truly very sorry for what I’ve done,” Seaward told the judge. “My actions and behavior have hurt the ones I care about the most

“I know I’ve broken the law and must accept the punishment from this court.”

The sentence allows Seaward, who had no prior criminal record, to remain in a county jail because of his age and health.

Seaward wore glasses and had difficulty hearing, so he and his attorney, David Crook, moved within about 10 feet of the judge’s bench during Friday’s court session.

Justice Michaela Murphy rejected Crook’s appeal to impose a shorter initial period of jail time. She said the Legislature has come close to setting a minimum jail time for cases involving young victims of sex crimes.

One of the three counts of unlawful sexual contact was a class A crime, carrying a maximum sentence of 30 years in prison.

Robinson said the 18 months behind bars should be the minimum.

Robinson told the judge the victims told him, through a parent, that they wanted to be sure they would never have to see Seaward again.

A condition of probation bans Seaward from having contact with the girls — now between ages 10 and 15 — and from unsupervised contact with girls under age 16.

Crook said Seaward was remorseful and admitted the offenses immediately. “Any opportunity my client had to confess to anybody, he did,” Crook said.

Crook also said that it appears the two girls were the only victims since no one else came forward following Seaward’s arrest on the charges last May.

“All these events had stopped a long time ago,” Crook said.

Betty Adams — 621-5631

badams@centralmaine.com

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