Judge Kevin Duffy in Manhattan ordered the sentence Monday for 29-year-old John Thomas. Thomas apologized for his crime, saying he was not a monster or a predator. Duffy disagreed, saying he was "in fact a monster" but that he hid it from those close to him.
The Manhattan resident had pleaded guilty in April. Thomas taught fourth and fifth grade students and worked as a summer day camp counselor for the last 13 years. Duffy said the length of the sentence would have been far longer if there was any evidence that he had ever abused a child.
