CENTEREACH MAN SENTENCED TO 12 YEARS IN PRISON FOR RAPING A 6-YEAR-OLD GIRL

(SUFFOLK COUNTY, N.Y.) – Suffolk County District Attorney Raymond A. Tierney today announced that Jose Romero, 34, of Centereach, was sentenced to 12 years in prison after he pleaded guilty in April 2023 to having sexual intercourse with a six-year-old girl.

“Because of the bravery of this child, the defendant will go to prison where he cannot harm any other children,” said District Attorney Tierney.  “Speaking out against an abuser, especially at such a young age, is a difficult task. However, it is a step that we encourage all those who are victims in Suffolk County to take so that we may keep our most vulnerable residents safe.”

According to the investigation and the defendant’s admissions during his guilty plea allocution, in October 2021, Romero had sexual intercourse with the six-year-old victim, and then gave the victim pocket change and told her not to tell her parents about what he had done to her. Despite Romero’s attempt to conceal his crime, the child victim immediately disclosed the abuse to her parents who contacted the police. The victim was brought to Stony Brook University Hospital where a sexual assault nurse examiner recovered DNA evidence linking Romero to the crime.

On April 12, 2023, Romero pleaded guilty before County Court Judge, the Honorable Judge Karen M. Wilutis, to Rape in the First Degree, a Class B violent felony. On May 12, 2023, Romero was sentenced to 12 years in prison, followed by 10 years of post-release supervision, and is required to register as a sex offender. Romero was represented by Christopher Brocato, Esq.

This case was prosecuted by Assistant District Attorney Tara Laterza of the Child Abuse and Domestic Violence Bureau.

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

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