VALPARAISO | Former Hebron Town Council President Michael Haughee was sentenced Thursday to one year in jail after being found guilty of sexually assaulting a woman who uses a wheelchair.
But the 56-year-old suspended attorney was not taken into custody.
Haughee asked Porter Circuit Court Judge Mary Harper to delay the sentence until his appeal has been decided, which could be a year or more.
Harper agreed to consider the request and said she will decide by 10 a.m. Monday. Haughee is required to turn himself in at the jail by that time if the delay is not granted.
"I'm absolutely innocent," Haughee said. "I did none of these things."
A jury found Haughee guilty in January on felony counts of sexual battery and criminal confinement and a misdemeanor count of interference with the reporting of a crime. If the charges remain after appeal, Haughee will be prohibited from going back to work as an attorney, the judge said.
A disabled Hebron woman said Haughee showed up at her apartment Feb. 18, 2006, and forced a kiss on her, began groping her chest and prevented her from using her telephone to call for help.
The woman said Thursday she still fears Haughee and will not rest until he is behind bars. She called for the maximum seven-year sentence.
"He needs time in prison to think what a woman is and that women are not just sex toys," she said.
Deputy Prosecutor Cheryl Polarek opposed the delayed sentence, saying Haughee had earlier involvement with police, including accusations 20 years ago of having inappropriate contact with another woman.
Four people testified on Haughee's behalf, including his son, Frank Haughee, who said his father taught him respect for all people.
Harper sentenced Haughee to one year in jail, which can be completed in half that time with good behavior. Upon his release, he is to spend a year on formal probation, register for 10 years as a sex offender and undergo HIV testing, sex offender treatment and a mental health evaluation.
"There is an issue here," the judge said.
Haughee is also prohibited from having any further contact with the 47-year-old victim.
