Suffolk County District Attorney Raymond A. Tierney today announced that a 55-year-old Central Islip man was sentenced to 22 years in prison after pleading guilty last month to rape, incest, and other related charges, for forcibly raping and impregnating his daughter.
The District Attorney’s Office is not naming the defendant in order to protect the identities of the victims.
“It is unconscionable that a father would subject his own daughter to years of such disgusting acts of sexual violence,” said District Attorney Tierney. “Our hearts go out to the victim who was extremely brave in coming forward after everything that she endured, and we will continue to provide unwavering support for her as she navigates the path to healing from this egregious crime."
According to the investigation and the defendant’s admissions during his guilty plea allocution, in April 2017, the defendant forcibly raped his then 17-year-old daughter, resulting in her pregnancy. Upon realizing that the victim had become pregnant, the defendant attempted to have the victim end the pregnancy, but she refused and gave birth the following year.
In February 2018, after the victim gave birth, the defendant again forcibly raped his daughter, and continued to do so until August 2021.
On January 13, 2022, the victim contacted the police after the defendant sexually abused her again. The defendant was arrested, and an order of protection was issued in favor of the victim. On October 6, 2022, in violation of the order of protection, the defendant broke into the victim’s residence and forcibly raped her. The defendant was arrested again by law enforcement on December 17, 2022. After further investigation, paternity analysis of the child confirmed that the defendant had fathered his own grandchild.
On January 19, 2024, the defendant pleaded guilty before County Court Judge Karen M. Wilutis, to all of the charges contained within the indictment:
- Three counts of Rape in the First Degree, Class B violent felonies;
- One count of Burglary in the Second Degree, a Class C violent felony;
- Four counts of Sexual Abuse in the First Degree, Class D violent felonies;
- Two counts of Incest in the Third Degree, Class E felonies;
- Two counts of Criminal Contempt in the First Degree, Class E felonies;
- Two counts of Criminal Contempt in the Second Degree, Class A misdemeanors;
- Two counts of Forcible Touching, Class A misdemeanors;
- Four counts of Endangering the Welfare of a Child, Class A misdemeanors; and
- One count of Harassment in the First Degree, a Class B misdemeanor.
On April 17, 2024, Judge Wilutis sentenced the defendant to 22 years in prison, followed by 20 years of post-release supervision. He is also required to register as a sex offender upon his release from prison. The defendant was represented by Eric Besso, Esq.
This case was prosecuted by Assistant District Attorney Melissa Grier of the Child Abuse and Domestic Violence Bureau and Assistant District Attorney Kendall Walsh of the Grand Jury Unit, with investigative assistance from Detective Jack Balaguera of the Suffolk County Police Department’s Third Squad.
Criminal complaints and indictments are merely accusatory instruments. Defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty. No one is above the law.