Syracuse special needs counselor admits having oral sex with girl, 16, at Camillus group home

Markeem Chaplin

Syracuse, NY -- A Syracuse man admitted this morning he had oral sex with a teenage girl while working as a special needs counselor at a Camillus group home.

Markeem Chaplin, 22, was working at Toomey Residential and Community Services when the crime took place involving a 16-year-old resident, authorities have said. He is also accused of smoking marijuana with the resident.

He pleaded guilty to felony sexual act. He is expected to be sentenced to 10 years of probation and will become a registered sex offender.

Toomey, an affiliate of Catholic Charities of Onondaga County, houses at-risk people for a number of reasons. The victim in this case did not appear to be mentally disabled, Chaplin's lawyer, Marcus Stornelli, said.

Stornelli portrayed his client as "young and naive" and not ready for a position of authority. Chaplin was fired after the incident.

The case moved quickly after Chaplin's Oct. 5 arrest. He has remained in jail since then.

A last-minute change to the plea in court today allowed Chaplin to be released from custody until his sentencing Feb. 21.

Chaplin promised County Court Judge Thomas J. Miller that he wouldn't be back on new charges. "You won't see me again," Chaplin told the judge.

"You're getting quite a benefit to get out right now," the judge said.

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