Hearing impaired man sentenced in Santa Fe kidnapping
By Andy Stiny
Journal Staff Writer
November 17, 2014
A 22-year-old Eldorado man, who was arrested in December 2013 for trying to abduct a woman in downtown Santa Fe, was sentenced Monday to 11 years in prison which was suspended and he was placed on five years of supervised probation.
Ryan N. Catron, who is hearing impaired and a former award-winning athlete in competitions among deaf athletes, pleaded guilty in a plea agreement in state District Court in Santa Fe to single counts of kidnapping, misdemeanor aggravated battery and evading or resisting an officer.
Indiana authorities intend to extradite Catron on a charge of electronic solicitation of a minor and he will remain on electronic monitoring while that charge plays out in Indiana, assistant district attorney David Murphy said after the hearing.
Catron admitted trying to abduct and choke Jamie Durfee on Dec. 1, 2013 when he convinced her to help him find his cell phone charger inside his car. She was able to kick him and escape with the minor injuries. Catron was arrested with the use of a State Police Helicopter while hiding in a tree in Eldorado.
“I don’t think I can say I am sorry enough,” Catron told the court through a deaf interpreter, adding alcohol played a part in his actions.
Durfee told the court that she hoped Catron would be off the street for some time. “Ryan used his hearing impairment to prey on me,” she said.
Catron, under the plea agreement, must continue to undergo counseling for alcohol and mental health issues and must make restitution.
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