(Becker Sentenced) 3-3 5:40
Racine---Judge Stephen Simanek was ready to give former Racine Mayor Gary
Becker probation on charges relating to his internet sex sting. But that was
before Becker showed a stunning lack of judgment by going on a shopping spree in
the lingerie department at the Boston Store in Racine two weeks ago.
Seemingly a "death wish," is how Simanek described it just before sentencing
Becker to three years in prison.
A clerk at the store recognized Becker and became alarmed as Becker spent a
half-hour browsing through women's undergarments, at least part of the time
spent in the "junior" section. She notified her boss who in turned
called
authorities.
Through his attorney and court documents, Becker tried to explain away the
purchases by saying they were for an adult female friend. The 46 year-old woman
even provided an affidavit. But Simanek said he didn't care, saying the items
purchased--all in small sizes--eerily brought to mind Becker's fixation with
teenaged-girls' undergarments, as demonstrated in numerous chat-room
conversations that had been recovered from his computers.
This afternoon's three-hour long sentencing hearing ended with a deputy
slapping a pair of handcuffs on Becker who was led out the door--right
past a small group of family and friends in the gallery.
During his comments from the bench, Simanek said the Boston Store visit
tipped the scale in his mind that led him to side with the harsh conclusions
drawn in a pre-sentence report prepared by a veteran Corrections Dept. agent. The
agent concluded that Becker was emotionally-closed and superficial in her
conversations with him. That sent up red flags indicating a likelihood to
re-offend.
A similar report prepared by an expert hired by the defense drew different
conclusions.
Speaking on his own behalf, a subdued Becker, struggling to retain his
composure, apologized to his friends, family and the entire
community, saying he had hurt his two daughters the most.
Becker showed no visible reaction when the prison sentence was announced.
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