During the sentencing hearing at U.S. District Court, two victims gave statements about the impact Silvia had on their lives.

Michael Holtzman Herald News Staff Reporter @MDHoltzman

BOSTON — Accused Somerset fraudster John Silvia Jr. will spend the next 57 months in jail following his sentence in U.S. District Count.

A U.S. Marshal handcuffed and led the 68-year-old Silvia out of the courtroom late Thursday afternoon. Silvia will immediately being serving the 57-month sentence on 17 fraud-related charges against four victims.

During the sentencing hearing at U.S. District Court, two victims gave statements about the impact Silvia had on their lives.

"I am here today to see justice and have my faith in the criminal justice system reaffirmed," Larry Traiman, of Lynn, said. "The defendant in this case, John Silvia Jr., exactingly and viciously, exploited the trusting and compassionate relationship that I had for years with a patient, his wife, to use for his nefarious uses."

Traiman was a nurse that treated Silvia's late wife for three years while she battled terminal cancer and invested $60,000 with Silvia.

A Fall River woman identified only by the initials H.S. pleaded for Silvia to be jailed.

"We are not the only family that has been affected in the last 20 years. People lost their homes, their retirement funds, college funds. He will probably continue to do this until he dies. He needs to be stopped," the woman told the court.

In addition to the prison sentence, Judge George O'Toole Jr. ordered two years of supervised released following the prison sentence. Silvia was also ordered to pay $360 in restitution.

When asked if he wanted to comment Silvia said: "I respect the jury's verdict and I regret any hardship to people."

This story will be updated.