Tag:

Rape

DNA Helps Implicates Man In 2 Sexual Assaults In Westchester: Here's His Sentence DNA Helps Implicates Man In 2 Sexual Assaults In Westchester: Here's His Sentence
DNA Helps Implicates Man In 2 Sexual Assaults In Westchester: Here's His Sentence A 43-year-old Northern Westchester man who was implicated in an attempted sexual assault after his DNA was collected from a cup he drank from following his arrest for a separate rape case will spend more than a decade in prison.  Peekskill resident Cristian Panza was sentenced to 16 years in state prison in connection with his rape of a woman in 2021 and his attempted rape of another victim in 2018, the Westchester County District Attorney's Office announced on Thursday, Nov. 14.  According to the DA's Office, Panza was implicated in the 2018 incident after drinking from…
Warning Issued After Sex Offender Found Frequenting Library In Westchester Warning Issued After Sex Offender Found Frequenting Library In Westchester
Warning Issued After Sex Offender Found Frequenting Library In Westchester A police department in Westchester is advising residents to be on high alert after a sex offender convicted of rape was found to be frequenting a public library in the county.  In an announcement on Thursday, Nov. 14, the City of Rye Police Department detailed an encounter at the Rye Public Library reported by two teenagers.  According to the department, on Wednesday, Nov, 13, the two teens encountered 29-year-old Wale Gai at the library. Detectives later interviewed him and found out he frequented the library.  Gai is a registered Level 2 sex offender who was convicted of t…
19-Year-Old Man Accused Of Raping Young Girl In New Rochelle While She Was Drunk 19-Year-Old Man Accused Of Raping Young Girl In New Rochelle While She Was Drunk
19-Year-Old Man Accused Of Raping Young Girl In New Rochelle While She Was Drunk A 19-year-old Westchester man faces rape charges in connection with his alleged sexual assault of a young girl after giving her alcohol, police said.  New Rochelle resident Joey Valencia was arrested on Thursday, Nov. 7 following an investigation into the sexual assault of a 13-year-old girl, New Rochelle Police Captain J. Collins Coyne announced on Friday, Nov. 8. According to Coyne, the investigation began after the victim was taken to a hospital while highly intoxicated and reported that she may have been sexually assaulted.  Investigators then confirmed that such a crime had …
Shootings, Murders, Other Crimes In Decline In Westchester, Officials Say Shootings, Murders, Other Crimes In Decline In Westchester, Officials Say
Shootings, Murders, Other Crimes In Decline In Westchester, Officials Say Westchester residents can breathe a little easier—crime rates are in decline across the county, including shootings, murders, and robberies, according to officials.  In an announcement on Wednesday, Oct. 16, Westchester County Executive George Latimer unveiled data from the New York State Division of Criminal Justice Services showing a decline in crime rates.  According to the report, year-to-date shootings are down 34.5 percent from 29 shootings in January to September 2023 to 19 shootings in January to September 2024. This means there were 2.1 shootings per month in 2024, t…
120 Accuse Mount Vernon's Sean Combs Of Sex Abuse In New Class Action Lawsuit: Report 120 Accuse Mount Vernon's Sean Combs Of Sex Abuse In New Class Action Lawsuit: Report
120 Accuse Mount Vernon's Sean Combs Of Sex Abuse In New Class Action Lawsuit: Report The legal troubles faced by Sean "Diddy" Combs, a New York native, are far from over, as the hip-hop mogul is facing allegations of sexual assault from over 100 new accusers, according to a report by NBC News.  Texas-based attorney Tony Buzbee announced on Tuesday, Oct. 1 that he is currently representing 120 people with various allegations against Combs occurring over two decades, NBC reported.  These accusations against Combs, a New York City native who grew up in Westchester County's Mount Vernon, include sexual assault or rape; facilitated sex with a controlled substance;…
Mount Vernon's Sean 'Diddy' Combs Accused Of Drugging Woman, Filming Rape In New Lawsuit Mount Vernon's Sean 'Diddy' Combs Accused Of Drugging Woman, Filming Rape In New Lawsuit
Mount Vernon's Sean 'Diddy' Combs Accused Of Drugging Woman, Filming Rape In New Lawsuit Following his arrest on federal sex trafficking charges, a woman has filed a lawsuit against hip-hop mogul and New York native Sean "Diddy" Combs accusing him of drugging and sexually assaulting her while recording it on film.  In a lawsuit filed in the US District Court for the Southern District of New York on Tuesday, Sept. 24, Thalia Graves accused Combs of spiking her glass of wine and rendering her unconscious before raping her in a studio in Manhattan.  According to the lawsuit complaint, Graves met Combs, a 54-year-old New York City native who grew up in Westchest…
17-Year-Old Accused Of Raping Victim At Knifepoint In Westchester 17-Year-Old Accused Of Raping Victim At Knifepoint In Westchester
17-Year-Old Accused Of Raping Victim At Knifepoint In Westchester A teenager was apprehended after allegedly luring a victim to his Northern Westchester home and raping them at knifepoint, police announced. The 17-year-old suspect, whose name was not released because of their age, was arrested at his Yorktown home on Sunday, Sept. 22 in connection with an incident that happened the day before, Yorktown Police said on Tuesday, Sept. 24.  According to the department, an investigation revealed that on Saturday, Sept. 21, the suspect convinced the victim to come to his home on false pretenses, restrained them, and raped them at knifepoint.  The tee…
These Westchester Municipalities Among Safest In NY, New Study Says These Westchester Municipalities Among Safest In NY, New Study Says
These Westchester Municipalities Among Safest In NY, New Study Says Several Westchester County municipalities have some of the lowest property crime and violent crime rates in the state of New York, according to a new report.  According to a study by SafeHome.org released in late August, the town of New Castle and the village of Rye Brook are among the three New York municipalities with the lowest violent crime rates, including murder, aggravated assault, robbery, and rape.   Meanwhile, the villages of Sleepy Hollow and Tuckahoe as well as the town of Lewisboro are the three New York municipalities with the lowest property crime rates, s…
Babysitter Admits Raping, Murdering 3-Year-Old NY Girl Found Covered In Bleach Babysitter Admits Raping, Murdering 3-Year-Old NY Girl Found Covered In Bleach
Babysitter Admits Raping, Murdering 3-Year-Old NY Girl Found Covered In Bleach One year after a 3-year-old New York girl was found murdered inside her home, the man responsible has formally confessed. Rensselaer County resident Robert Fisher, age 34, of Rensselaer, pleaded guilty to murder and rape on Tuesday, July 9, in the death of Josefina Cunningham. According to prosecutors, emergency crews were called to the girl's Rensselaer home near Broadway and Tracy Street on July 7, 2023, after relatives found her not breathing. Earlier Report: Man Rapes, Murders 3-Year-Old Girl At Home In Region, DA Says Josefina’s mother found her lying lifeless on the floor, fo…
55-Year-Old Accused Of Raping Woman In Westchester 55-Year-Old Accused Of Raping Woman In Westchester
55-Year-Old Accused Of Raping Woman In Westchester A man faces a rape charge following a welfare check conducted at a Westchester residence, police announced. The suspect, 55-year-old Eugene Feeney, was arrested on Sunday, June 16 after police conducted a welfare check on a woman at a White Plains residence on Bogert Avenue, according to White Plains Police Captain James Spencer.  When officers arrived for the welfare check, the woman told them she wanted to leave the residence immediately. She was then taken to police headquarters, where she told police she was the victim of a sexual assault, according to Spencer.  Feeney, …
Psychologist Sexually Abused Numerous Teens At NY Juvenile Lockup For Years, Police Say Psychologist Sexually Abused Numerous Teens At NY Juvenile Lockup For Years, Police Say
Psychologist Sexually Abused Numerous Teens At NY Juvenile Lockup For Years, Police Say A state psychologist is accused of sexually abusing numerous underage victims at a New York State juvenile detention center going back years. Maya Hayes, of Albany, was arrested Friday, April 12, following a New York State Police investigation into allegations of abuse at Columbia County’s Brookwood Secure Center, located in the town of Claverack. According to police, the 62-year-old sexually assaulted numerous victims at the facility over several years while employed as a clinician. No other details about the alleged abuse were made public.  Hayes' arrest followed a grand jury indic…
26-Year-Old Raped Woman After Breaking Into Hudson Valley Home, Jury Finds 26-Year-Old Raped Woman After Breaking Into Hudson Valley Home, Jury Finds
26-Year-Old Raped Woman After Breaking Into Hudson Valley Home, Jury Finds A 26-year-old man could spend decades behind bars after being convicted of breaking into a Hudson Valley home and raping a woman. Rockland County resident Rigoberto Castro, age 26, of Spring Valley, was found guilty on rape and burglary charges by a Rockland County jury following a two-week trial on Tuesday, April 2. Prosecutors argued that Castro forcibly raped the victim, a woman previously known to him, on Sept. 12, 2022. During the attack, he held a belt to the woman’s neck and hit her multiple times. He raped the victim again on the following night after breaking into her Spring Valle…
Man Rapes Woman, Holds Her Against Her Will At Apartment In Westchester: Police Man Rapes Woman, Holds Her Against Her Will At Apartment In Westchester: Police
Man Rapes Woman, Holds Her Against Her Will At Apartment In Westchester: Police A 40-year-old man faces rape charges after sexually assaulting a woman and holding her against her will at an apartment in Westchester, police announced. The arrest stemmed from an incident on Saturday, March 10 at around 9:50 a.m., when a woman told the Village of Mamaroneck Police Department that she was being held at an unknown location within the village, the department said on Monday, March 11. Officers were then able to get more information from her, identify her location, and find her at an apartment building on West Boston Post Road (Route 1). There, the victim, a 22-year-old Port C…
26-Year-Old Accused Of Raping Juvenile Victim In Westchester: Police 26-Year-Old Accused Of Raping Juvenile Victim In Westchester: Police
26-Year-Old Accused Of Raping Juvenile Victim In Westchester: Police A 26-year-old faces charges after allegedly raping a juvenile victim in Westchester, police said. Ossining resident Filormo Rolando Paucay-Zhingri, age 26, was arrested on Tuesday, Sept. 20 on a rape charge following a four-month investigation, Greenburgh Police announced.  Paucay-Zhingri was charged with first-degree rape of a juvenile and arraigned in Greenburgh Town Court before being taken to Westchester County Jail.  The Westchester County Forensic Laboratory and the Westchester County District Attorney’s Special Prosecution Division also helped with the investigat…
Support Swells For Vietnam Vet Exonerated Of 1975 Rape In Westchester Support Swells For Vietnam Vet Exonerated Of 1975 Rape In Westchester
Support Swells For Vietnam Vet Exonerated Of 1975 Rape In Westchester Nearly half a century after a 72-year-old Vietnam War veteran was wrongfully convicted of rape that he was found to have not committed, community members are coming together to help him rebuild his life.  South Carolina resident Leonard Mack, age 72, has been exonerated of a 1975 rape in Greenburgh that he was convicted of in 1976, the Westchester County District Attorney's Office announced on Tuesday, Sept. 5.  Earlier Report: New DNA Evidence Exonerates Man Of Rape In Greenburgh: DA Seeks To Vacate Conviction Following his wrongful conviction, Mack served a sentence of ove…
Sex Crimes Against Child: Accused Hudson Valley Man Charged With 3 Felonies Sex Crimes Against Child: Accused Hudson Valley Man Charged With 3 Felonies
Sex Crimes Against Child: Accused Hudson Valley Man Charged With 3 Felonies A joint investigation by authorities has led to the arrest of a Hudson Valley man accused of sex crimes against a child, rape, and other charges. The New York State Police Child Abuse Unit (CAU) in Orange County announces the arrest of Eduardo R. Martinez Rojas, age 29, from the town of Woodbury on Friday evening, June 16.  The arrest was the result of a joint investigation by the New York State Police Child Abuse Unit in conjunction with Orange County Child Protective Services after receiving an allegation of an adult male engaging in sexual conduct with a child less than 13 years old…
Guilty: Hudson Valley Man Convicted Of Raping Child Guilty: Hudson Valley Man Convicted Of Raping Child
Guilty: Hudson Valley Man Convicted Of Raping Child A man from the region is facing decades behind bars after being convicted of raping a child. Orange County resident Cecilio Navarro, age 35, of Middletown, was found guilty of multiple sex crimes by a jury on Tuesday, March 14. Prosecutors had argued that Navarro sexually abused a child beginning in December 2016, when the victim was under the age of 13. The abuse continued on and off through 2021.  Navarro was arrested by the Orange County Child Investigation Unit in June 2022, and the trial began on Tuesday, March 7. Jurors convicted him of the following crimes: Predatory sexual…
Man, Age 42, Indicted For Rape Of 7-Year-Old In Hudson Valley, DA Says Man, Age 42, Indicted For Rape Of 7-Year-Old In Hudson Valley, DA Says
Man, Age 42, Indicted For Rape Of 7-Year-Old In Hudson Valley, DA Says A Hudson Valley man has been indicted for the alleged rape and sexual abuse of a 7-year-old girl. Ottoniel Gomez-Martinez, age 42, of Ramapo, was charged on Thursday, Feb. 9, said Rockland County District Attorney Thomas E. Walsh. On Thursday, Feb. 2, Gomez-Martinez is alleged to have sexually abused and raped a 7- year-old female in his home, Walsh said.  “As alleged, the defendant used his relationship with the seven-year-old victim to violate and sexually abuse her," Walsh said. "The defendant will now be held responsible for his heinous actions, and he will be prose…
Hudson Valley Man Accused Of Raping Teen 'Known To Him' Hudson Valley Man Accused Of Raping Teen 'Known To Him'
Hudson Valley Man Accused Of Raping Teen 'Known To Him' A Hudson Valley man has been charged after state police say he raped a teenage victim known to him. According to New York State Police, Dutchess County resident Sean Kelly, age 49, of Pleasant Valley was arrested on Wednesday, Jan. 4, and charged with: Second-degree criminal sex act, a Class D felony Third-degree rape, a Class E felony An investigation determined Kelly engaged in sexual conduct with a victim that was known to him under the age of 15, and again under the age of 17. Kelly was arraigned in the town of Pleasant Valley Court and remanded to the Dutchess County Jail in lie…
Seen Him? Police, FBI Looking To Locate Man Wanted For Rape Of Minor In Hudson Valley Seen Him? Police, FBI Looking To Locate Man Wanted For Rape Of Minor In Hudson Valley
Seen Him? Police, FBI Looking To Locate Man Wanted For Rape Of Minor In Hudson Valley The New York State Police and the FBI are asking the public for help locating a man who allegedly raped a minor in the Hudson Valley. Jesus Torres, age 31, of Goshen, is wanted on an extraditable warrant for raping a female child in Orange County, said Trooper Steven Nevel. The Southern District of New York has also issued a warrant for Torres for unlawful flight to avoid prosecution, Nevel said. Nevel said charges were filed against him on Tuesday, Oct. 18, but Torres has eluded capture.  Torres is described as being 5-foot-9 and 165 pounds.  He was last known to be in the are…
Westchester County Man Gets Maximum Sentence For 'Horrific' Sex Crimes Against Child, DA Says Westchester County Man Gets Maximum Sentence For 'Horrific' Sex Crimes Against Child, DA Says
Westchester County Man Gets Maximum Sentence For 'Horrific' Sex Crimes Against Child, DA Says A Westchester County man has been sentenced for repeated sexual conduct with a child and rape. On Tuesday, Oct. 25, 48-year-old Virgilio Cruz was sentenced to two consecutive 25-year sentences, 50 years in total, for his crimes, the maximum sentence available, according to Westchester County District Attorney Miriam Rocah. “Today, this defendant was held to account for horrific crimes committed against a vulnerable child,” Rocah said. “We hope the victim, who was extraordinarily brave and testified in court, can begin their journey to healing and feeling safe." According to Rocah…
Rapist Caught After Assault On Hudson Valley Trailway, Police Say Rapist Caught After Assault On Hudson Valley Trailway, Police Say
Rapist Caught After Assault On Hudson Valley Trailway, Police Say An alleged rapist was nabbed by police after he allegedly assaulted a woman on a popular Hudson Valley Trailway. The incident took place in Mahopac shortly after 7 p.m. on Saturday, Sept. 10 on the Putnam Trailway. According to Lt. Michael Bodo, of the Carmel Police, the department was notified of a sexual assault on the Trailway near Weber Hill Road in Mahopac. Responding Carmel officers were told that a possible sexual assault had occurred and were quickly able to locate and detain a suspect who was attempting to flee the area on a bicycle, Bodo said. Officers began an investi…
65-Year-Old Found Guilty Of Sexually Abusing, Raping 15-Year-Old In Hudson Valley 65-Year-Old Found Guilty Of Sexually Abusing, Raping 15-Year-Old In Hudson Valley
65-Year-Old Found Guilty Of Sexually Abusing, Raping 15-Year-Old In Hudson Valley A 65-year-old man was found guilty of raping a 15-year-old girl in the Hudson Valley. Rockland County resident Jimmie Moore, of Haverstraw, was found guilty of third-degree rape, third-degree attempted rape, and two counts of third-degree sexual abuse. The trial began on Monday, June 13, and ended on Monday, June 27, according to Rockland County District Attorney Thomas Walsh on Wednesday, June 29. Investigators found that Moore sexually abused and raped the victim in Haverstraw from May 1, 2019, through July 20, 2019, the DA's Office reported.  "I want to thank the Haverstraw P…
Statewide Alert Issued For Hudson Valley Man Wanted For First-Degree Rape Statewide Alert Issued For Hudson Valley Man Wanted For First-Degree Rape
Statewide Alert Issued For Hudson Valley Man Wanted For First-Degree Rape Have you seen him? New York State Police issued an alert on Friday, April 29 seeking the public’s assistance in locating Ulster County resident Luis D. Fernandez, age 46, of Kingston.  Fernandez failed to appear in the Greene County Court after being released on bail and is wanted for multiple felony charges including: Predatory sexual assault against a child, a Class A felony,  Course of sexual conduct against a child in the first degree, a Class B felony,  Four counts of rape in the first degree, a Class B felony.  He is also wanted by the Greene County Sheriff’s Off…
NY Teacher Charged With Raping Student, Police Say NY Teacher Charged With Raping Student, Police Say
NY Teacher Charged With Raping Student, Police Say A New York teacher has been arrested and accused of raping a 15-year-old student in 2013.  Long Island resident Timothy Harrison, age 46, of Oak Beach, was arrested on Thursday, March 3, and charged with two counts of third-degree rape and one count of third-degree criminal sexual act, according to the Suffolk County Police Department. Harrison was arrested during a traffic stop at about 7:40 a.m. on the Robert Moses Causeway at Route 27A in West Islip, police said.  Administrators from the Babylon Union Free School District contacted police in October 2021 about allegations…
Teen Accused Of Raping Minor Numerous Times In Hudson Valley Teen Accused Of Raping Minor Numerous Times In Hudson Valley
Teen Accused Of Raping Minor Numerous Times In Hudson Valley A teen who used to live in the Hudson Valley is facing charges for allegedly raping a minor repeatedly, New York State Police announced. Cameron McEwen, age 19, a former Orange County resident now living in Wilkes Barre, Pennsylvania, was arrested on Monday, June 21, and charged with rape, coercion, sexual misconduct, and endangering the welfare of a child following an “extensive investigation.” Police said that the investigation determined that in December 2020, McEwen allegedly coerced and raped a minor “numerous times” while living in Middletown. The investigation into McEwen led to th…
Man Charged With First-Degree Rape In Westchester Man Charged With First-Degree Rape In Westchester
Man Charged With First-Degree Rape In Westchester A Northern Westchester man is behind bars after being arrested for rape, New York State Police announced. An investigation by State Police in Cortlandt and the City of Peekskill Police Department led to the arrest of Miguel Pillacela, 38, of Peekskill for first-degree rape, a felony, Capt. John Ryan announced. Ryan said that the investigation by the two law enforcement agencies determined that Pillacela allegedly forcibly raped his victim in the town of Cortlandt.  No other details were released by police. Following his arrest, Pillacela was arraigned in the Town of Cortlan…
Parole Of Man In Rape/Murder Case Of Two Westchester Women Sparks Outrage Parole Of Man In Rape/Murder Case Of Two Westchester Women Sparks Outrage
Parole Of Man In Rape/Murder Case Of Two Westchester Women Sparks Outrage Found guilty of the rape and murder of Sheila Watson and Bonnie Minter while their children were within earshot at their Northern Westchester home in Lewisboro in 1978, the now-68-year-old Sam Ayala was granted parole in mid-March and could be released as early as Thursday, Sept. 3.  Ayala lived in Fairfield County at the time, in Norwalk. More than 5,000 have signed a Change.org petition urging New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo to keep Ayala behind bars.  Jason Minter, both a son to one of the victims and a witness to the crime, speculated that the convict's release was influenced…
Alert Issued For Alleged Rapist Wanted In Westchester Alert Issued For Alleged Rapist Wanted In Westchester
Alert Issued For Alleged Rapist Wanted In Westchester Recognize him? An alert was issued by police in Westchester attempting to track down a man wanted for rape. Jeovanni Arellano, 28, has an active arrest warrant out for his arrest in Mount Vernon after failing to make court appearances following his arrest. the Mount Vernon Police describe Arellano (pictured above) as being 5-foot-8, weighing approximately 160 pounds. His last known address was on 5th Avenue in Mount Vernon, and he is also known to frequent Yonkers. Anyone with information regarding Arellano’s whereabouts has been asked to contact the Mount Vernon Police Department Detect…
Ex-Owner Of Hudson Valley Restaurants Accused Of Raping Minor Ex-Owner Of Hudson Valley Restaurants Accused Of Raping Minor
Ex-Owner Of Hudson Valley Restaurants Accused Of Raping Minor A former restaurateur who owned a pair eateries in the Hudson Valley is facing charges for allegedly raping a minor. An Ulster County grand jury charged Robert Bruno, 58, of Newburgh, in a seven-count indictment for allegedly repeatedly sexually abusing at least one minor, the DA’s Office announced. It is unclear how many victims he had. Specifically, Bruno is charged with three counts of second-degree rape, and two counts each of third-degree rape and second-degree criminal sexual act. Bruno was arrested in September last year by members of the Saugerties Police Department.  His ar…
Westchester Man Faces Rape, Other Charges After Attack Westchester Man Faces Rape, Other Charges After Attack
Westchester Man Faces Rape, Other Charges After Attack A Westchester County man is facing multiple counts of rape and other charges for an alleged sexual assault of a woman in White Plains last month. Greenburgh resident Sidney Crockett, 42, was arraigned on Monday, Nov. 4, and charged in a 15-count indictment that includes two counts of rape, Westchester County District Attorney Anthony Scarpino, Jr., announced. On Thursday, Oct. 10, it is alleged that Crockett repeatedly strangled, physically, and sexually assaulted a woman he knew in a White Plains residence. The two had been in a relationship, according to the indictment. After the attack,…