An Auburn man pleaded guilty in Auburn City Court Wednesday to sexually abusing a mentally disabled resident who had been in his care.

Walter W. Griffin, 59, with a last known address of 26 Parker St., Auburn, pleaded guilty to the misdemeanor of second-degree sexual abuse.

Griffin admitted to subjecting the 63-year-old woman to sexual abuse in a one-time incident on Dec. 8.

Griffin was only charged with the one incident.

Griffin was caring for two mentally disabled residents under the care of the New York State Office of Mental Retardation and Developmental Disabilities in his home.

Both residents were removed from the home after the abuse was discovered.

“There was only one victim that our office was aware of,” Assistant District Attorney Samuel Finnessey said.

But Finnessey said that an investigation is ongoing into allegations of other sexual abuse by Griffin.

Anyone with information is asked to contact Auburn Police Department detective Doug Parker at 255-4726.

Griffin was released Wednesday from jail after spending 60 days in incarceration following his arrest.

Griffin's attorney, Simon Moody, said that Griffin's plea also satisfied a charge that he violated an order of protection granted to his wife by calling his wife from the Cayuga County Jail in December.

Griffin could face up to one year in Cayuga County Jail.

The DA's office will recommend he serve six years of probation and counseling, Finnessey said.

Griffin is scheduled to be sentenced March 14.

Judge Michael McKeon ordered a pre-sentencing investigation.

Griffin will also have to register as a sex offender.

Staff writer Amaris Elliott-Engel can be reached at

253-5311 ext. 282 or

amaris.elliot-engel@lee.net