New York Man Who Raped Four Teens Gets Probation

A 20-year-old New York man who pleaded guilty to sexually abusing four teenage girls will incredulously not see any jail time. The judge presiding over his case thought that “would be inappropriate.”

Christopher Belter raped and sexually assaulted three 16-year-olds and one 15-year-old at his family’s house in Lewiston. The assaults occurred between February 2017 and August 2018. Belter’s mother, stepfather, and a family friend helped groom the victims with alcohol and marijuana. 

Niagara County Court Judge Matthew J. Murphy III sentenced Belter to eight years of probation for his crimes. “I agonized… I’m not ashamed to say that I actually prayed over what is the appropriate sentence in this case. Because there was great pain. There was great harm. There were multiple crimes committed in the case,” Murphy said. Belter will have to register as a sex offender in addition to his probation. 

Steven M. Cohen, an attorney for one of the victims, said his client became physically ill after the sentencing. He does not believe justice was carried out in this case.

“If Chris Belter was not a white defendant from a rich and influential family, in my experience… he would surely have been sentenced to prison,” Cohen said.

Belter is scheduled to appear in court on December 2 for a Sex Offender Registration Act hearing. At that time, it will be determined whether he is a level one, two, or three sex offender.