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The Farmingville man, who prosecutors are not naming in order to protect the victim’s identity, was sentenced to 18 years in prison in Suffolk County Court on Monday, Nov. 18.
Prosecutors said the defendant and victim were still living together while going through a divorce when he attacked her after she got out of the shower at around 6 a.m. on Nov. 13, 2022.
After breaking down the bathroom door, he dragged her into his bedroom and choked her until she lost consciousness. The woman awoke to her husband beating and violently sexually assaulting her, prosecutors said.
The victim tried to escape, but the defendant chased and continued to beat her, choking her until she lost consciousness again. His beatings and sexual assault continued over a period of three hours before he forced her to shower.
Investigators said the man hid her phone to prevent her from calling the police. He also left apology notes for their children, who were not home at the time, on their beds before fleeing the scene.
The woman eventually located her phone and called for help. She was taken to a hospital, where she was treated for her injuries and underwent a sexual assault forensic exam.
Southampton Town Police, using K-9 and aviation units, located the man in Sagaponack, where he had driven his truck onto the beach. As officers tried to arrest him, he resisted and attempted to grab an officer’s gun. He was eventually taken into custody.
Investigators later discovered that parts of the attack were captured on video surveillance inside the home.
On Wednesday, Sept. 25, the defendant pleaded guilty to 23 counts, including two counts of rape, five counts of criminal sexual act, and two counts of strangulation.
“This survivor showed tremendous courage in coming forward to hold the defendant accountable for his vile acts,” said Suffolk County District Attorney Raymond Tierney.
“My office always puts survivors of domestic violence and sexual assault first, and we encourage anyone who has been victimized to report these crimes to the Suffolk County Police Department or to the Suffolk County District Attorney’s Office.”
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