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Jason Williams, 36, of Syracuse, was then sentenced to seven years in prison by Judge Thomas Leone. 

Williams pleaded guilty to the charge in May, days before he was to begin trial for the Class C felony and a charge of first-degree rape. He was originally set to be sentenced to five years in prison.

Leone, however, expressed concerns Thursday about Williams saying in his presentence investigation report that he did not commit the crime, and only pleaded guilty on the advice of his attorney to avoid a lengthy prison sentence. His attorney, Rome Canzano, replied that Williams was willing to reaffirm his guilt that afternoon.

After speaking with Canzano and Cayuga County Senior Assistant District Attorney Heather De Stefano, Leone proceeded with the sentencing with an enhancement of two years. Williams' prison term will be followed by 15 years of post-release supervision, and comes with an order of protection for the survivor.

Before the judge issued the sentence, the survivor read her victim impact statement. Repeatedly referring to the 619 days that have passed since the crime, she spoke at length about the trauma of enduring not only rape but its investigation, including the completion of a rape kit. She called the experience "humiliating, demeaning and demoralizing."

"I see why women don't come forward, why women don't follow through, why women don't stay for the fight," she said. "My punishment isn't just 619 days, it's a lifetime of scars."

After telling the court she continues to scrub each part of her body 15 times while in the shower, the survivor then addressed Williams.

"One day his mirror is going to find him, and he won't like his reflection," she said.

Williams, who at several points that afternoon could be seen smiling, was then asked by Leone if he had anything to say. He said "no."

Canzano told ºüÀêÊÓƵɫ°æ that his client accepted the enhanced sentence and waived his right to appeal.

"He is very sorry for all that happened and is looking forward to getting this very difficult time behind him," Canzano said. 

The district attorney's office declined comment to ºüÀêÊÓƵɫ°æ on the sentencing. District Attorney Brittany Grome Antonacci previously said Williams was arrested in July 2024 after an investigation by the Auburn Police Department and its Gun-Involved Violence Elimination unit determined he sexually assaulted the woman while she was asleep.