Pocono News Section

Prison time for former Red Barons mascot

Prison time for former Red Barons mascot - Wednesday, December 5, 2007 at 5:41PM EST

Wednesday, Dec 5, 2007 @05:41pm EST

He used to be a popular mascot for the Scranton Wilkes-Barre Red Barons.

But today, he'll be spending a long time in prison, thanks to an I-Team internet investigation.

Jay Hastings will spend the next 11 to 27 years in state prison.

He didn't say anything coming into or out of the courthouse.

But his defense attorney told us exactly how his client felt.

His lawyer says Hastings will seek treatment in jail..

Hasting's defense attorney Dennis Mark says,

"he's always acknowledged the sorrow for what he did and what had happened. And realized it was wrong and he was looking for help."

Police found out about Hastings sexual misconduct here in a WBRE I-team internet sting, last march in Wilkes-Barre Township.

Hastings was nabbed when he thought he was meeting up with a teenage boy.

The I-team, white haven police, and Luzerne County Da’s office were waiting there instead.

During this arrest, he told police about the crimes he was sentenced for Wednesday.

Hastings didn't say anything at the courthouse.

But his defense attorney did.

Marks says, "with the time he is going to spend in the system now, he'll get that help and we won't see this type of behavior once he's ultimately released from prison."

Hasting's teenage victim wasn't in the courtroom, but his parents were.

They didn't talk on camera, but inside the courtroom, the victim's stepfather said the boy’s life has been turned upside down.

The victim is home schooled now, and is trying to recover.

He'll recover while the person who sexually assaulted him heads to prison.