Elmont, NY - April 6, 2017 - Summations are expected to begin at 10:30 tomorrow morning (Friday April 21) in Riverhead in the trial of a Ridge Foster father charged with sexually abusing boys in his care, Suffolk County District Attorney Thomas Spota said.
A 17-count indictment charges Cesar Gonzales-Mugaburu, 60, of Ridge with predatory sexual assault against a child, criminal sexual act in the second and third degree, course of sexual conduct against a child and other crimes. District Attorney Spota said the top count, predatory sexual assault against a child, is a class “A” felony punishable by a maximum of 25 years to life in prison upon conviction.
The crimes in the indictment are alleged to have occurred from 1996 to 2015. Mugaburu adopted six boys who are victims of the sex crimes alleged in the indictment. The endangering the welfare of a child charges involve two male foster children in the defendant’s care.
Mugaburu operated a therapeutic foster home for developmentally disabled boys or boys diagnosed with behavioral problems. The defendant housed six to eight male children at a time in his Ridge home from 1996 until his arrest in January of 2016.
District Attorney Spota said New York’s statute of limitations laws prevented the filing of more charges involving the alleged abuse of other children.
Several victims have testified during the trial, which started on March 29 before Judge Barbara Kahn (second floor of the courthouse).
A criminal charge is an accusation. A defendant is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty.