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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…

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by Ben Crnic
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Hudson Valley Man Sentenced For Repeated Sexual Abuse Of Child Hudson Valley Man Sentenced For Repeated Sexual Abuse Of Child
Hudson Valley Man Sentenced For Repeated Sexual Abuse Of Child A Hudson Valley man has been sentenced to state prison after pleading guilty to repeatedly sexually abusing a victim under the age of 13. Orange County resident Byron Romero, age 36, of New Windsor, was sentenced to 18 years in prison on Monday, Oct. 3, said Orange County District Attorney David Hoovler. Romero was also sentenced to 20 years post-release supervision. Prior to his release from state prison, Romero will be registered as a sex offender, Hoovler said. Hoovler thanked the Town of New Windsor Police Department for their investigation and the arrest of Romero. “This d…

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by Kathy Reakes
News
Incarcerated Gymnastics Coach From Area Charged With New Sex Crime Against Child Incarcerated Gymnastics Coach From Area Charged With New Sex Crime Against Child
Incarcerated Gymnastics Coach From Area Charged With New Sex Crime Against Child A popular local gymnastics coach already locked up for sexually abusing a child is facing a new allegation of sex abuse. Joseph Lewin, age 71, of Hillburn in Rockland County, also known as Joseph Lewandoski in the 1990s, was arraigned Friday, Sept. 30, on one count of felony sexual conduct against a child under the age of 13. According to the Rockland County District Attorney’s Office, Lewin sexually abused the female victim between 2012 and 2015 while working as a gymnastics coach at his gym in the Village of Hillburn in the Town of Ramapo. Earlier Report: Youth Gymnastics Coach Fr…

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by Michael Mashburn
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Hudson Valley Man Convicted Of Sexually Assaulting His Niece For 3-Year-Period, DA Says Hudson Valley Man Convicted Of Sexually Assaulting His Niece For 3-Year-Period, DA Says
Hudson Valley Man Convicted Of Sexually Assaulting His Niece For 3-Year-Period, DA Says A Hudson Valley man has been convicted by a jury for sexually assaulting a 7-year-old for more than three years. Rockland County District Attorney Thomas Walsh announced Monday, Sept. 19 that Holger Chuya-Andrade, age 32, of Spring Valley, was found guilty on all counts after a jury trial. Chuya-Andrade was found guilty of predatory sexual assault against a child and course of sexual conduct against a child. From May 2011 through May 2014, Cjiua-Andrade engaged in a course of sexual abuse which started when the victim was 7 years old and lasted until she was 10 years old, th…

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by Kathy Reakes
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Hudson Valley Man Sentenced For Sexually Abusing Child Hudson Valley Man Sentenced For Sexually Abusing Child
Hudson Valley Man Sentenced For Sexually Abusing Child A Hudson Valley man was sentenced to prison for sexually abusing an area girl for sexual years beginning when she was 7 years old. Rockland County resident Sherman Brody, age 46, of Haverstraw, was sentenced on Thursday, Sept. 1,  to 14 years in state prison, said Rockland County District Attorney Thomas Walsh II. Brody was also sentenced to 10 years post-release supervision after pleading guilty to one count of course of sexual conduct against a child, the DA said. The court also issued a full final order of protection in favor of the victim. From late 2017 to April 2021, Brody…

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by Kathy Reakes
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Former Coach In Hudson Valley Charged With Transporting Minors, Now Cops, To Engage In Sex Acts Former Coach In Hudson Valley Charged With Transporting Minors, Now Cops, To Engage In Sex Acts
Former Coach In Hudson Valley Charged With Transporting Minors, Now Cops, To Engage In Sex Acts A former diving coach in the Hudson Valley is facing federal charges, years after he allegedly transported teenagers across state lines for sex. Victor Byrne, age 56, who formerly coached competitive divers in Rockland County, was arrested Wednesday, Aug. 31, in Orlando, Florida. Federal prosecutors said Byrne transported a 16-year-old victim from Cape Cod, Massachusetts to Rockland County to engage in illegal sexual activity in July 2006. In February 2008, he transported another 16-year-old from New Jersey to Rockland County, again to engage in illegal sex, prosecutors said. Byrne worked…

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by Michael Mashburn
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Hudson Valley Woman Sentenced For Seriously Assaulting Infant Granddaughter Hudson Valley Woman Sentenced For Seriously Assaulting Infant Granddaughter
Hudson Valley Woman Sentenced For Seriously Assaulting Infant Granddaughter A Hudson Valley grandmother has been sentenced to prison for seriously assaulting her 7-month-old granddaughter leaving her blind and with brain damage. Orange County resident Kimberly Bennett, age 46, of Middletown, was sentenced to 12 years in prison and five years post-release supervision on Tuesday, Aug. 30. On Wednesday, Oct. 27, 2021, Benner pled guilty to assault which occurred on Saturday, Feb. 22, 2020, at Bennett’s home in the City of Middletown, said Orange County District Attorney David Hoovler. The attack resulted in the child suffering serious physical injury i…

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by Kathy Reakes
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Hudson Valley Man Sentenced For Having Sex With 8-Year-Old Hudson Valley Man Sentenced For Having Sex With 8-Year-Old
Hudson Valley Man Sentenced For Having Sex With 8-Year-Old A Hudson Valley man has been sentenced for sexually assaulting a child. Ulster County resident Carlos Butz-Paau, age 24, of Kingston, was sentenced to seven years in state prison and 10 years post-release supervision on Wednesday, Aug. 3 on the charge of first-degree sexual assault. From late December 2021 through March 21, Butz-Paau began playing inappropriately with a victim under the age of 8, said the Ulster County District Attorney's Office. Butz-Paau was living in a room in the same house as the victim, who lived in a separate room with her family, the DA's Office said.  On Mar…

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by Kathy Reakes
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Westchester Man Accused Of Sex Trafficking Vulnerable, At-Risk Youth At NY Hotels Westchester Man Accused Of Sex Trafficking Vulnerable, At-Risk Youth At NY Hotels
Westchester Man Accused Of Sex Trafficking Vulnerable, At-Risk Youth At NY Hotels A Westchester County man is facing federal charges for allegedly forcing a vulnerable minor into prostitution at New York City hotels. Rai Thomas, age 27, of Mount Vernon, was arrested Friday, July 22, on charges of sex trafficking a minor and using interstate facilities to promote sex trafficking and prostitution. According to the US Attorney’s Office in the Southern District, Thomas recruited the teenage girl in January and February 2022 and made her engage in commercial sex acts on multiple occasions in hotels in the Bronx and Brooklyn. He allegedly coordinated transportation to get the…

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by Michael Mashburn
Police & Fire
Hudson Valley Man Accused Of Sexually Assaulting Children, Police Say Hudson Valley Man Accused Of Sexually Assaulting Children, Police Say
Hudson Valley Man Accused Of Sexually Assaulting Children, Police Say A 31-year-old Hudson Valley resident was charged after investigators reported that he sexually assaulted children under the age of 13. Eric Vazquez, of Newburgh, was arrested on two counts of predatory sexual assault against a child and two counts of endangering the welfare of a child, according to an announcement from New York State Police on Thursday, July 21. The Orange County Child Abuse Unit worked with Child Protective Services to arrest Vazquez following an investigation that found he sexually assaulted children, State Police reported.  He was arraigned and remanded to Orange C…

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by Nicole Valinote
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Man, 47, Admits To Sexually Abusing 7-Year-Old At Locations In Hudson Valley Man, 47, Admits To Sexually Abusing 7-Year-Old At Locations In Hudson Valley
Man, 47, Admits To Sexually Abusing 7-Year-Old At Locations In Hudson Valley With time ticking before a trial began, a 46-year-old man admitted to sexually abusing a child throughout the Hudson Valley on multiple occasions over the course of several years. In Rockland County, Haverstraw resident Sherman Brody pleaded guilty to a felony count of course of sexual conduct against a child as prosecutors began jury selection in anticipation of an upcoming trial. Rockland County District Attorney Thomas Walsh announced the guilty plea on Monday, May 23.  Prosecutors said that between 2017 and 2021, Brody sexually abused a minor at various locations throughout Havers…

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by Zak Failla
Police & Fire
21-Year-Old From Hudson Valley Accused Of Sexually Assaulting Child 21-Year-Old From Hudson Valley Accused Of Sexually Assaulting Child
21-Year-Old From Hudson Valley Accused Of Sexually Assaulting Child A Hudson Valley man has been arrested for allegedly sexually assaulting a child under 11. Orange County resident Cormega Berkley, age 21, was arrested on Monday, April 4, in Newburgh by New York State Police. Berkley, of the city of Newburgh, was arrested after allegations arose about his allegedly having sexually assaulted the child, said Trooper Steven Nevel. A joint investigation by the Orange County Child Abuse Unit led to Berkley's arrest, Nevel said. He was charged with predatory sexual assault against a child and remanded to the Orange County Jail.

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by Kathy Reakes