Massena Man Admits To Raping 16-Year-Old Girl

CANTON - A Massena man admitted Wednesday in St. Lawrence County Court to raping a 16-year-old girl in late May.

Paul J. Mathous, 24, of 142 N. Main St., pleaded guilty before Judge Jerome J. Richards to third-degree rape. He could receive six months in St. Lawrence County jail and 10 years' probation when sentenced Oct. 4. He admitted to having sex with a girl in Massena on May 31.

Mr. Mathous will also have to register as a sex offender when released from jail.

In other court proceedings, Douglas Foster, 54, of 303 Route 11, Gouverneur, was offered a plea deal that dismisses felony charges and allows him to plead guilty to two misdemeanors, second-degree criminal trespassing and fourth-degree criminal possession of a weapon, defense attorney Alexander Lesyk said.

Mr. Foster was accused of breaking into a woman's Stowe Road home on July 8 in the town of Morristown and threatening her with a knife.

He was charged with first-degree burglary and third-degree criminal possession of a weapon.

State police said Mr. Foster broke into the home and was attempting to steal a computer when the woman who lives there came home. The woman told troopers that Mr. Foster was intoxicated and was trying to recover a computer he believed she had stolen. He also brandished a knife as the two argued, then left the house.

Mr. Lesyk said he expects his client to plead guilty to the reduced misdemeanor charges in Morristown Town Court next week.