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Ex-prison guard sentenced for sex assault

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BY LORI PILGER / Lincoln Journal Star

Thursday, Nov 20, 2008 - 06:10:18 pm CST

A man who worked as a prison guard now will see what it’s like to be on the other side.

Craig Beckman, 44, of Lincoln, pleaded guilty to sexual assault for sexual abusing a pre-teen girl for more than a year.

On Wednesday, in a third-floor courtroom, District Judge Robert Otte sentenced him to 20-22 years in prison on the first-degree sexual assault charge.

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Before that, he asked Beckman if he wanted to say anything. Beckman stood and read a statement. He said he had hurt the girl, her family and his.

“To all who have been hurt, I’m sorry,” Beckman said.

He said he was not going to ask them, watching in the courtroom, to forgive him.

Beckman’s attorney, Kirk Naylor, pointed out that his guilty plea relieved the state of a need to go to trial and the victim of a need to testify.

Beckman had been a corrections sergeant at the Nebraska State Penitentiary. When the case was filed, Naylor said, he resigned.

Aside from a DUI he got probation for in 2004, Beckman had no prior record, Naylor said. He had spent 14 years in the Army before being discharged in 1995 for using marijuana, Naylor said.

He said Beckman understands the wrong he did, and it’s clear he’s remorseful for it.

Regardless, Deputy County Attorney Matt Acton asked for a significant sentence. He said in cases like this often it’s a 19- or 20-year-old caught with a 14- or 15-year-old. But not here.

“That is worlds different than the situation we have before us today,” Acton said.

The girl was not yet a teenager, and Beckman was in his 40s.

Acton said the abuse went on not one time or two times, but for a year, and involved “some of the most despicable acts an adult can perpetrate upon a young girl.”

In the end, Otte sided with Acton.

“This was just an awful thing to happen,” he said.

Beckman acknowledged that in a number of ways, Otte said. But the judge said he didn’t think that probation was appropriate.

“Everyone knows this is just a terrible situation to put a 12 or 13-year-old in,” Otte said.

Then he told Beckman his sentence: 20 to 22 years in prison. 

He’ll be eligible for parole in 10 years, absolute discharge in 11.

Otte also found it was an aggravated crime, meaning Beckman will be subject to lifetime registration and lifetime community supervision. He also could face a civil commitment after he serves his sentence.

A deputy put handcuffs on him and took him away.

Reach Lori Pilger at 473-7237 or lpilger@journalstar.com.


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Frank wrote on November 19, 2008 6:49 pm:
" He got off easy. "

 No he didnt wrote on November 19, 2008 8:01 pm:
" Craig did not get off easy. He worked for Corrections for years. He was a Sgt. which means he had gone through Corrections Officer, to Corrections Corporal and then Corrections Sargeant. All of these positions require daily contact with inmates. While the Nebraska Department of Corrections have a fairly non-violent atmosphere, there is still an attitude that inmates are "lesser" people. Whether or not this is true is not the point. The point is that as a former prison worker, Craig will have a harder time living on the inside. I agree that what he did was heinous, but he will lose his freedom and his family. I will pray for him. "

 Eric wrote on November 19, 2008 8:20 pm:
" It is pedophiles like this that make me believe capital punishment for sex offenders is the only answer. Unfortunately we dont have enough guts to start that process. "

 awesome dude wrote on November 19, 2008 8:28 pm:
" I dont even know how he could have been put in the position of being a CO since he had an NJP from the army for smoking weed. "Its all about who you know if you want to work for the state of Nebraska," "

 He got off easy wrote on November 19, 2008 8:28 pm:
" Agreed. He got off easy. That poor girl is going to be messed up the rest of her life, my female friend, now mid-twenties, is still suffering daily from a similar traumatic experience as a young child. "

 I must say wrote on November 19, 2008 8:39 pm:
" He got off easy. Just because he plead guilty doesn't mean anything. He still got off easy. "

 Oh yes he did wrote on November 19, 2008 8:44 pm:
" Mr. Beckman ruined a young girl's life and therefore got off very easy. You have no idea the reprecussions his actions will have on this girl. He hurt her in one of the worst ways you can hurt a child. I hope those inmates treat him like the scum he is. "

 No YOU didnt wrote on November 19, 2008 9:20 pm:
" You'll pray for him??? What about the girl he sexually abused for over a year and emotionally scarred for life? What about the two families he ripped apart? Ask a victim if he got off easy. Pray for him all you want, he'll need it. "

 Yes he did wrote on November 19, 2008 9:28 pm:
" That girl will live with this for the rest of her life, maybe he should have thought of the consequences of what he was doing before he did it. Yes former guards are treated bad, especially by the inmates, but he made the choice to violate this child. Therefore, he must live with the consequences. "

 Dave wrote on November 19, 2008 9:42 pm:
" Working as a custodial supervisor for D. O. C he knew what he was doing
was morally and legally wrong, he mentally weighed out the consequeces
and ignored his victims rights and his own freedom along with his families
needs to service his own twisted sickness, my opinion which I am entitled
to,he can stay in custody till he leaves in a pine box (believe me this puke knew what he was doing and this nonsense about promotions has as much to do with the matter in hand as whats the weather in N. Dakota "

 oh yes he did wrote on November 19, 2008 9:47 pm:
" It is irrelevant where he worked, or how hard it will be for him. 11 years and out is a disgrace, I'm not blaming Judge Ott, he has guidelines to follow. Those should be changed. "

 Fatima a mother of 3 wrote on November 19, 2008 9:54 pm:
" This little girl will be affected for the rest of her life. I can't imagine what she goes trough every day, and how this must hunt her for the rest of her life. Men like this one who ruin someone else's life with acts like these need to be punished to the fullest, and I agree with the last comment, he did get off easy. The parents must be infuriated with this sick man, I hope I never know what is like for someone to hurt your child in such a horrible and permanent way. "

 fatima wrote on November 19, 2008 9:56 pm:
" pray for him, pray for the little girl who's INNOCENT life has changed FOREVER "

 To no he didnt wrote on November 19, 2008 11:24 pm:
" Who cares where the man worked? He put himself in the situation and maybe should have thought about what could happen to him before he traumatized this young girl. He made things harder on himself and will lose his freedom and family because of HIS own actions. Its called responsibility. So the real point is...he deserves every single day he will serve behind bars because it is NOTHING compared to what this poor child has gone through and will continue to deal with for the rest of her life. "

 to No he didnt wrote on November 19, 2008 11:32 pm:
" He should have thought about the consequences to his actions long ago. It doesn't matter where he worked. If things are harder for him in lock up its because of HIS own actions. The real point is...his sentence is nothing compared to the trauma he created for this young girl and the things she will deal with for the rest of her life. "

 In the Know wrote on November 20, 2008 9:16 am:
" I know the young girl and the trauma she has gone through. She has support of family and friends, but this will haunt her for years to come. In our opinion, 20-22 years is not long enough, but we are satisified that he will be paying for his crime. "

 What I think is wrong wrote on November 20, 2008 11:08 am:
" Is that since he worked at the state pen in Lincoln he will probably be sent to Tecumseh where there are probably fewer inmates that know that he was a guard in Lincoln. I think they should put him in Lincoln so that he gets what he deserves from the inmates that knew him for the way he treated them when he worked there. "

 Mary wrote on November 20, 2008 12:20 pm:
" I happen to know the family and the girl. She is lovely, bright, talented, sweet and very special. I want people to know that the offender is behind bars because of the incredible love and courage of a very special woman and, because of this woman, I have hope for the girl and her future. As for what happens to the perpetrator behand bars; yes, he got off easy, believe me, and the idea that his work life or his position has any bearing on this, is ludicrous. Support the victim and let the man live with the consequences of his actions. He signed on for it. "

 Wow wrote on November 20, 2008 2:18 pm:
" I wrote originally under "No he didn't". No where in my comments did I say that Craig did not get what he deserved. No where did I say that the girl was not traumatized. I happen to be a woman and I know all about child sexual abuse. I know how hard life has been and will be for that little girl. I ALSO know that Jesus would enjoin us to pray for Craig as well as for the victim! Oh, and it won't matter if he is sent to Tecumseh. He won't get away from inmates that he knows there. In fact, with the shifting population, he will probably know the majority of the inmates in Tecumseh. And he got a very long sentence compared to sentencing in other counties. Yes, he should be put away for that long, but so should all other sex offenders! If you want to compain about justice, then complain about the sex offenders being coddled at the Lincoln Regional Center! "

 Family wrote on November 20, 2008 2:42 pm:
" I am a family member of Craig's. Please keep the little girl in your prayers, along with our family. We need it! This is a horrific time for us. "

 James wrote on November 20, 2008 4:15 pm:
" There is a reason that CO's fight the drug testing that the state now does. This has started within the last several years. There is so much that is over looked during the hiring process just to get bodies in. Beckman will get exactly what he deserves. As a former CO I saw more crime from staff than inmates. And yes I do know Beckman. Pray for this girl and her family. Also pray for the family members of Beckman but also pray for Beckman, pray he gets an eye for an eye while locked up. "

 krk wrote on November 20, 2008 4:24 pm:
" I just want to make a tiny little point, here. I'm reading 'He knew the consequences of his actions' one time TOO many. This isn't about him knowing the consequences, this is about him knowing it as just plain WRONG. This is about preying on a child. Making someone a victim. Try to keep THAT thought above the nitpicky details I'm reading about here. "

 family member wrote on November 20, 2008 6:33 pm:
" I would like to speak on behalf of the family of Craig Beckman. We appreciate of the support that so many people have shown us. We are hopeful that Craig will get the rehabilitation that he needs, while getting the punishment that he deserves. It is unfortunate what Craig's two children, mother & stepfather, and siblings have had to endure because of his selfish and dispecable acts. Due to these acts, we lost a young girl that we considered part of our family - a granddaughter; a niece; a counsin. The effects of Craig's actions on the victim are immeasureable; effects that she will have to deal with for a lifetime; we continue to pray for her and her family. "

 in response to James... wrote on November 20, 2008 7:00 pm:
" just exactly WHY are employees "fighting" the drug policy ?? This makes no sense at all. I currently work there and know of nobody that is fighting this policy. I for one am all for drug testing at the institutions, for every employee. If you are dirty, I'll turn you in myself. Craig got what he deserved, and probably should have gotten more time. "

 In response to awesome dude and krk wrote on November 20, 2008 8:28 pm:
" I used to work for the NE Department of Correctional Services (NDCS). NDCS runs an NCIC (state) background check as well as submitting fingerprints (federal) on all sucessful applicants. You can have a drug related charge(s) while in the military and still receive an honorable or general discharge. NDCS views a general discharge from the military just like an honorable discharge. Obviously, Beckman had drug related offenses in the military and still got hired. Wanna know why? Because Corrections didn't know. True story. With all due respect to a place where a had a very enjoyable career, maybe NDCS should take a look at that. "

 not long enough wrote on November 20, 2008 10:41 pm:
" This young girl was dealt a life sentence when he chose to abuse her. I believe he should receive the same. How can anyone be so selfish to put someone through this hell? Not only the victim and her family but his OWN family. I know from personal experience what she and her family are/will be going through. I hope that they are able to get her the counseling and support that she needs and will probably need for the rest of her life. I will pray for both families involved. "

 NDCS wrote on November 21, 2008 3:03 am:
" Once again the department gets another black eye. Would it be to much to ask to respect the people that still have to work in prisons by their proper title: CORRECTIONAL OFFICER!!! Every article the journal star writes calls us prison guards. If thats the case why dont you call firemen waterboys and police rent-a-cops. I am sorry that there is another victim in this world to another hanus crime and there will never be a good enough punishment for it, but with all the liberals in the world they are the ones screwing up the true punishments available. "

 friend wrote on November 21, 2008 11:35 am:
" People really need to watch what they say when they are making comments about a person that they do not know. I do not know Craig or the victim, but I do know Craigs children. They are good kids, and they probably read these comments. Despite what their father did, they still love him and care for him, and it hurts them to read what people are saying about him. Everyone is entitled to their opinion, but just keep in mind that Craig will not read these. You are not hurting him when you say these things, but it does hurt his innocent children. Craig is serving his time, now it is time to let the victim get help and heal, as well as Craigs children, who have lost their father. It is time to keep quiet and let everyone move on. "

 from family to friend wrote on November 21, 2008 1:26 pm:
" Thank you. "

 Friend Of the Innocent wrote on November 22, 2008 8:50 pm:
" For all those people who have read this i know she appreciates those who care about this and realize what craig did was wrong i know the victim very well and she doesn't blame craig's family at all. She is scarred by what happened but thats why people have friends to help you get over the bad things that happen in life. She is just glad its all over and she doesn't have to go through having to keep that horrible secret. I love this girl to death and i hope craig gets whats coming to him in jail. What comes around goes around. "

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