Gabriel Safty Sentenced To Up To 46 Years In Prison

A Leigh teen will serve up to 46 years in prison for committing sexual assault, terroristic threats and false imprisonment last April in Stanton County.

Gabriel Safty, who will turn 17 in four days and pleaded guilty in February to the charges, apologized for his actions before being sentenced in Stanton County District Court on Monday morning.

Judge James Kube said he received five letters, including from the victim and Safty's parents. Kube called the case “an extremely terrorizing situation” and asked Safty if there was anything he wanted to say before being sentenced.

Safty — who was wearing a bulletproof vest out of precaution — told the judge, “I want to say I apologize for what I did. I know it was terrible and I never want to do it again. I feel terrible about what I did. I want people to understand I’m sorry. That’s all I have.”

Judge Kube asked Safty why he raped the victim.

The teen shook his head and replied, “I don’t really know. I don’t know what came over me.”

Safty, who had a juvenile record for sexually assaulting a child, told the judge counseling didn’t help previously and that he still has “a little” sexual interest in children.

Judge Kube said he believed Safty is likely to reoffend.

“The risk is substantial that you will engage in further criminal conduct if I don’t incarcerate you,” Judge Kube said.

For the assault, Safty will serve not less than 30 years and up to 40 years in prison. For false imprisonment, not less than 2 years and no more 3 years. For terroristic threats, not less than 2 years and no more than 3 years. The sentences will be served consecutively.
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For more on the sentencing, including additional statements from Safty and his family, please pick up tomorrow’s issue of the Stanton Register.