COPIAGUE MAN SENTENCED TO 17 YEARS IN PRISON FOR RAPE OF A CHILD

(SUFFOLK COUNTY, N.Y.) – Suffolk County District Attorney Raymond A. Tierney today announced that a 33-year-old Copiague man[1] was sentenced to 17 years in prison, followed by 20 years of post-release supervision, after pleading guilty in September 2024 to Rape in the First Degree for sexually abusing his 9-year-old stepdaughter.

“Today, justice has been served, not only for the victim, but for all children in our community who deserve to feel safe,” said District Attorney Tierney. “The defendant’s actions were reprehensible, and the sentence reflects the gravity of the harm done to an innocent child. Our priority will always be to protect our most vulnerable and to ensure that those who commit such heinous acts face the consequences of their actions.”

As established by the investigation and guilty plea allocution, in February 2023, the defendant subjected his 9-year-old stepdaughter to sexual abuse, including rape, while her mother was at work. The victim told her mother about the abuse the following day because she was anxious about being left alone with the defendant again when her mother went to work. Her mother confronted the defendant and contacted the police, who placed the defendant under arrest following an investigation. 

On September 20, 2024, the defendant pleaded guilty before Acting Supreme Court Justice Karen M. Wilutis to Rape in the First Degree, a Class B felony.  

On November 15, 2024, Justice Wilutis sentenced the defendant to 17 years in prison followed by 20 years of post-release supervision. He will be required to register as a sex offender. He was represented by Christopher Brocato, Esq.

This case was prosecuted by Assistant District Attorney Dana Castaldo of the Child Abuse and Domestic Violence Bureau, and the investigation was conducted by Detective Charles Ross of the Suffolk County Police Department Special Victims Section. 

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Defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty. No one is above the law.

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