Southeast Man, 27, Accused Of Raping Underage Girl

PUTNAM, N.Y. -- A Southeast man was arrested and accused with felony rape last week in the Town of Putnam, according to Putnam County Sheriff Donald B. Smith.

A Southeast man was arrested last week for allegedly engaging in sex with a female under the age of 17 in the Town of Putnam.
Photo Credit: *Putnam County Sheriff's Department*

K Reakes

10/22/2015 9:00 a.m.

Deputy Sheriff Joseph Sadowski arrested Manuel De Jesus Mejia Lopez, 27, of 170 Peaceable Hill Road, when he noticed suspicious activity in a vehicle in the park-and-ride lot on Route 311. Upon investigation, the deputy determined that Lopez had been engaging in sexual intercourse with a female who was under the age of 17.

Under the law, a person under the age of 17 is deemed incapable of consent in such matters. The deputy arrested Lopez and charged him with felony second-degree rape.

Lopez was arraigned in Patterson Town Court and taken to the Putnam County jail on $100,000 cash bail or $250,000 bond, pending a future court appearance.

If found guilty of the felony charge, Lopez could face up to seven years in a New York State Correctional Facility and a fine of up to $5,000.00.

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