RIVERHEAD BARBER INDICTED FOR ATTEMPTING TO ENGAGE IN SEXUAL ACTS WITH AN 11-YEAR-OLD BOY

(SUFFOLK COUNTY, N.Y.) – Suffolk County District Attorney Raymond A. Tierney today announced that Hilario Hernandez de la Cruz, 35, of Riverhead, was indicted for Attempted Criminal Sexual Act in the First Degree and other related charges, for allegedly attempting to sexually abuse an 11-year-old boy while his father was getting a haircut at a local barbershop in Riverhead.

“This defendant allegedly attempted to touch an 11-year-old boy inappropriately and offered the child money to satisfy his own sexual desires. Thankfully, the victim knew what the defendant was allegedly asking him to do was wrong, and he left the shop to call for help,” said District Attorney Tierney. “We ask anyone who has been victimized by this defendant, or may have information about other victims, to contact the Riverhead Police Department as soon as possible.”

According to the investigation, on July 10, 2023, the victim and his father went to get haircuts at a barbershop owned by Hernandez de la Cruz in Riverhead. While the child’s father was getting a haircut, Hernandez de la Cruz allegedly proceeded to have alcoholic drinks with the child’s father. After several drinks, the boy’s father went into the bathroom. While Hernandez De La Cruz was alone with the victim, he allegedly repeatedly offered the boy increasing sums of money while requesting inappropriate sexual acts with the boy.

The defendant allegedly made sexually suggestive gestures and attempted to grab the child’s genitals, but the victim repeatedly pushed his hands away. The victim left the barbershop and called his mother to come pick him up. After the boy told his mother what happened, she contacted the police. Hernandez de la Cruz was then arrested by the Riverhead Police Department on July 11, 2023.

The victim’s father was also arrested and charged with Endangering the Welfare of a Child, a Class A misdemeanor. His case is currently pending in.

On July 25, 2023, Hernandez de la Cruz was arraigned on the indictment before County Court Judge, the Honorable Karen M. Wilutis, for the charges of:

• Attempted Criminal Sexual Act in the First Degree, a Class C violent felony;
• Attempted Sexual Abuse in the First Degree, a Class E felony;
• Criminal Solicitation in the Third Degree, a Class E felony; and
• Endangering the Welfare of a Child, a Class A misdemeanor.

Judge Wilutis ordered Hernandez de la Cruz held on $75,000 cash, $150,000 bond, or $750,000 partially secured bond during the pendency of the case. If convicted of the top count, Hernandez de la Cruz faces up to 15 years in prison, followed by up to 15 years of post-release supervision. He is due back in court on August 30, 2023, and is being represented by Michael Brown, Esq.

This case is being prosecuted by Assistant District Attorney Renée G. Pardo of the Child Abuse and Domestic Violence Bureau, with investigative assistance from Detective Richard Anderson of the Riverhead Police Department.

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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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