Bobby Stewart of West Babylon, a former guard at the Nassau County Juvenile Detention Center (JDC), was sentenced to five months in jail and five months probation for extorting more than $20,000 from the parents of a 15-year-old incarcerated at the Westbury facility.

Stewart, who appeared in court before Nassau County Judge Donald DeRiggi last Monday, was arrested in February following an undercover operation by the Nassau County District Attorney's Office. He was originally charged with second-degree grand larceny, but entered into a plea bargain for third-degree grand larceny. If convicted on the initial charge, Stewart could have faced up to seven years in prison.

Sean Bourne of Middle Island, the second guard involved with the scheme, was also arrested in February. Bourne, 28, originally faced charges of second-degree grand larceny - a class C felony punishable by up to 15 years in prison - but in May pleaded guilty to disorderly conduct, a violation. He also waived his rights to work at the center again and must pay a $250 fine.

The Helmetts, the Suffolk County couple who fell victim to the scheme, are currently suing Nassau County for federal rights violations. The Helmetts are basing their lawsuit on the grounds that the men, employed at the center as group aides, demanded they pay the money to protect their son. They also charged that the employees allegedly provided alcohol and marijuana to the children at the center.

According to Rick Hinshaw, a spokesman for the Nassau County District Attorney's Office, "The main defendant was Stewart. Bourne's participation was less, which is why he got disorderly conducted." Hinshaw also said that in most cases, a defendant can normally plea down one level of the charge and Stewart was permitted to do so in this case. The sentencing of five months in jail is significant." Stewart had no prior convictions.

Nassau County Deputy Presiding Officer Roger Corbin, chairman of Health and Social Service, said it is a shame to see someone like Stewart become involved in a crime such as this. "It is, quite frankly, disgusting when a potentially good person jumps on an opportunity that is not lawful. [Stewart] has worked with a lot of kids in the past, and to get caught up in something like this ... He is young and I hope he continues to work with young people in the spirit of goodness."

In May, the Nassau County Legislature held a public hearing with JDC officials regarding how to improve conditions and staffing at the facility and last month the legislature released a report containing various recommendations. The legislature's report addresses such issues as employee compensation, training and background checks as well as security, food and parent/child communication with the JDC director. The legislature's suggestions are designed to be implemented in a quick and cost-effective manner.

Corbin said County Executive Thomas Suozzi is expected to vote on the report within the next few weeks. "I am hoping that the county executive acts on our recommendations to rehabilitate that center so that [incidents] like this can be put behind us," he said. "We really feel that we have to bring experts into the center who will help these kids get rehabilitated. [What we don't need] is someone who is trying to make money and bribe parents for protection. Many of our children who unfortunately wind up there, need to be rehabilitated and not intimidated."