Suffolk County District Attorney Timothy D. Sini has announced the indictment of a Riverhead man for allegedly sexually abusing a child.
Jose Samuel Carabantes Pineda, 35, of Riverhead, is charged with Predatory Sexual Assault Against a Child, a class A-II felony; two counts of Criminal Sexual Act in the First Degree, a class B felony; Course of Sexual Conduct Against a Child in the First Degree, a class B felony; and Endangering the Welfare of a Child, a class A misdemeanor.
“This individual allegedly subjected a child to months of sexual abuse,” District Attorney Sini said. “Thanks to the bravery of the victim, the heroic act of the good Samaritan who intervened, and the swift actions of the Riverhead Town Police Department, this alleged predator was apprehended. My Office will do everything in our power to hold him accountable for these heinous acts.”
Carabantes Pineda is alleged to have sexually assaulted a minor female on several occasions since the fall of 2020.
On March 20, Carabantes Pineda allegedly drove the victim to the parking lot of a Big Lots located in Riverhead, restrained her with duct tape in the back of his minivan and sexually assaulted her. A good Samaritan in the parking lot heard screaming coming from the vehicle, knocked on the windows, then observed the defendant get into the driver’s seat and pull away. The good Samaritan called 911 and provided information about the vehicle to police, and attempted to follow the minivan.
Carabantes Pineda allegedly returned to his home, made the victim get into a different vehicle and drove around while telling the victim what she should say to the police if they were called. When they arrived back at the house, Riverhead Town Police were already present and arrested Carabantes Pineda.
Carabantes Pineda was arraigned on the indictment in front of Suffolk County Acting Supreme Court Justice Chris Ann Kelley today and was remanded without bail. He is being represented by the Legal Aid Society and is due back in court on April 13.
If convicted of the top count, Carabantes Pineda faces a maximum sentence of 25 years to life in prison.
This case is being prosecuted by Assistant District Attorney Crystal Igneri, of the Child Abuse & Domestic Violence Bureau.
A criminal charge is merely an accusation and the defendant is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty.