Cortland Woman Sentenced for Sexually Abusing Child Under 5

A Cortland County woman is to spend 45 years in federal prison for her part in sexually exploiting a young child under the age of five.

Federal prosecutors say 40-year-old Sara Gates of Cortland pleaded guilty to three counts admitting she acted with 37-year-old Christopher Perry of Cortland to take photos of the abuse of the child several times in 2017.

Perry was sentenced last November, also to 45 years in prison.

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Officials with the U.S. Department of Justice Northern District say Gates admitted she and Perry performed sexual acts on the child while taking photos using two cell phones.

In addition to the 45 years in prison, Judge Thomas McAvoy also imposed a 15 year term of post-release supervision and Gates will have to register as a sex offender.