Prosecutor: NY Man Killed To Keep Sex Abuse Secret

WARSAW, N.Y. (AP) — Authorities say a former upstate New York sheriff's deputy used his authority to seek out troubled young men for sexual relationships and killed to keep his behavior a secret.

On Friday, a day after 61-year-old Joseph Mlyniec pleaded guilty to murder, Wyoming County District Attorney Donald O'Geen discussed details of the case.

He says Mlyniec shot 32-year-old Robert Irvine III four times in March, including once in the head at close range as Irvine pleaded for his life. O'Geen says Mlyniec believed his former friend was going to expose his double life.

Mlyniec was a sheriff's deputy for more than two decades and was elected to the Perry Town Board in 2013.

He's scheduled to be sentenced in November to 15 years to life in prison.