Nye pleads guilty to sex charges

BRYAN NYE

BY STACI WILSON

A Montrose area man who eluded police for more than four months prior to his capture now faces up to 30 years in prison for the sexual assault of a 15-year-old girl in 2009.

Bryan Lewis Nye, 38, Montrose, pleaded guilty Friday in Susquehanna County Court on two felony sex charges.

Nye admitted to perpetrating the acts that led to the involuntary deviate sexual intercourse charge, which carries a maximum jail time of 20 years; and an aggravated indecent assault charge, which could put him behind bars for an additional 10 years.

District Attorney Jason Legg said, “The victim suffered horribly not only as a result of the sexual abuse perpetrated upon her, but also as a result of the fear and uncertainty that she felt during the 5-month period of time that Mr. Nye’s whereabouts were unknown and he was a fugitive.

“After speaking with her, I know that today’s guilty plea was something that she wanted to get resolved sooner rather than later, and that the pending criminal charges were a constant source of stress, anxiety and fear. She is a strong and determined young lady and I am so proud of her courage throughout this entire ordeal.”

The Susquehanna County Independent does not identify the victims of sexual assault.

Following the plea, Nye’s attorney, Mark Powell said the defendant had accepted responsibility for his actions.

“The charges are very serious,” said Powell who added he hoped Nye’s sentence would be within the standard range of the sentencing guidelines.

However, Legg said the Commonwealth will be seeking consecutive sentences in the aggravated range, but noted the sentence is up to the court.

President Judge Kenneth Seamans ordered Nye undergo an evaluation by the Sexual Offenders’ Assessment Board, prior to his scheduled March 24 sentencing.

Nye surrendered to Susquehanna County authorities on July 19 and has been held in the county jail on $1 million bail since his arraignment.

Two women police identify as Nye’s girlfriends had also been charged in connection to the case.

Carrie Lee Blanton, 37, Montrose, was charged in July with intimidation of witnesses or victims and hindering prosecution – both are felony counts – and a misdemeanor corruption of minors charge. Blanton is scheduled to go to trial in January 2011. She is free on bail.

Charges of hindering apprehension or prosecution lodged in April against Nye’s other girlfriend, Stacy Lee Edwards, 32, Nicholson, were withdrawn July 27. Nye had agreed to turn himself in if charges against Edwards were dropped.