A 44-year-old Robbinsdale man was sentenced Wednesday to more than 19 years in prison for sexually abusing two young boys in his care and videotaping the crime for his own gratification.
"This crime is as base as crime gets," U.S. District Judge Patrick Schiltz told David Frank Holecek.
Holecek had already been sentenced in 2006 to 22 years in prison on state criminal sexual conduct charges related to the abuse. But because state prisoners typically serve two-thirds of their sentences, his federal sentence actually would extend his incarceration by several years.
His attorney, Steve Bergeson, had asked for a sentence of 15 years so that his federal and state terms, after adjusting for good behavior, might expire simultaneously.
Bergeson noted that Holecek himself had been sexually abused. He had no criminal history. And he confessed to authorities right away when they confronted him.
"He will suffer, as he should," Bergeson said. "The question is, what is greater than necessary."
Holecek told Schiltz that he would forever be apologizing to his family. His sister, Ruth Holecek, asked Schiltz to consider a lighter sentence so her brother could have a chance to re-connect with his family.
Anne Holecek said her ex-husband must deal with the events in his life that led him to commit the abuse, but she remained hopeful. "It is with great sadness that we appear here today. The lives of two families are forever changed."
