MEDFORD MAN INDICTED FOR ALLEGEDLY SEXUALLY ABUSING BOYS AT A PLAYGROUND

(SUFFOLK COUNTY, N.Y.) – Suffolk County District Attorney Raymond A. Tierney today announced the indictment of Rashawn Brinkley, 27, who is accused of sexually abusing two boys at the Gordon Heights Children’s Park.

“Allowing Suffolk County families and children to enjoy our parks and community spaces free from threats, abuse and violence is of paramount importance,” said District Attorney Tierney. “This defendant preyed upon children at a place where children should be able to safely gather and play together. We will prosecute child abuse to the fullest extent of the law.”

On October 7, 2022, two boys, ages 8 and 11, were playing in the park when the defendant approached them and allegedly began touching them inappropriately. On November 2, 2022, one of the boys saw the defendant in the park again and recognized him as the individual who had touched him. The police were contacted and the defendant was arrested. The defendant was indicted by the Suffolk County Grand Jury for two counts of Sexual Abuse in the First Degree; two counts of Sexual Abuse in the Second Degree; two Counts of Endangering the Welfare of a Child and two Counts of Menacing in the Second Degree.

On November 16, 2022, Brinkley was arraigned before the Honorable Karen M. Wilutis and is being held on $250,000 cash, $500,000 bond or $2.5 Million partially secured bond. Brinkley is due back in court on December 19, 2022 and he is being represented by the Suffolk County Legal Aid Society. If convicted on the top counts, the defendant faces up to 14 years of incarceration.

This case is being prosecuted by Assistant District Attorneys Erin Branigan and Melissa Grier of the Child Abuse and Domestic Violence Bureau.

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Criminal complaints and indictments are merely accusatory instruments.

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

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