An Auburn man who admitted sexually abusing a mentally disabled woman who had been in his care was sentenced in Auburn City Court May 17 to six years probation and 60 days in the Cayuga County Jail.

Walter W. Griffin, 59, with a last known address of 26 Parker St., Auburn, was sentenced for the misdemeanor of second-degree sexual abuse. He also was sentenced to counseling and various court fees.

He subjected the 63-year-old woman to sexual abuse Dec. 8. Griffin was only charged with the one incident.

He also was sentenced for the separate misdemeanor crime of second-degree criminal contempt to three years probation, which will run at the same time as his other probation term.

In that crime, Griffin violated an order of protection granted to his wife by calling his wife from the Cayuga County Jail in December.

Griffin could have faced up to one year in Cayuga County Jail for each charge. The district attorney's office recommended he serve six years of probation and undergo counseling.

Griffin will have to register as a sex offender.

A five-year order of protection was granted for Griffin's wife and to the sex abuse victim.

At the time of the crime, 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 the day after the sex abuse occurred.

Staff writer Amaris Elliott-Engel can be reached at 253-5311 ext. 282 or at amaris.elliot-engel@lee.net