Suffolk County District Attorney Raymond A. Tierney today announced that a 23-year-old Brentwood man was found guilty of Rape in the First Degree, Grand Larceny in the Fourth Degree, and other related charges, after a bench trial for forcibly raping and sexually abusing his girlfriend and stealing her electronic devices to prevent her from calling for help.
“The verdict today holds the defendant accountable for his horrific actions. No one has the right to force themselves on anyone without their consent,” said District Attorney Tierney. “Leaving a relationship can be the most dangerous time for a victim of domestic violence. Our thoughts remain with the victim as she continues to heal from this unimaginable trauma.”
The evidence at trial established that the defendant had been in a relationship with the victim for approximately five years, but she had been planning to end the relationship due to her belief that the defendant was using drugs. In the early morning hours of April 12, 2024, the defendant woke up angry, pinned the victim down on their bed and began to strangle her, causing her to break several nails while trying to get his hands off her neck. The defendant told her that if she wasn’t going to be with him, then she wasn’t going to be with anyone. He then pulled her clothes off before forcibly sexually abusing her. The victim begged him to stop, and even vomited from the attack, but the defendant did not relent. After, the defendant took all the victim’s electronic devices, including her phone, iWatch, and iPad, and left with them. Since the victim had no way of contacting the police, she fled to her mother’s house and then reported the incident to the police. The police recovered the victim’s stolen property from the defendant at the time of his arrest later that day.
On March 20, 2025, the defendant was found guilty of the following charges after a bench trial heard before Supreme Court Justice Timothy Mazzei:
- One count of Rape in the First Degree, a Class B violent felony;
- Two counts of Criminal Sexual Act in the First Degree, Class B violent felonies;
- One count of Aggravated Sexual Abuse, a Class B violent felony;
- One count of Sexual Abuse in the First Degree, a Class D violent felony;
- One count of Rape in the Third Degree, a Class E felony;
- Two counts of Criminal Sexual Act in the Third Degree, Class E felonies;
- One count of Grand Larceny in the Fourth Degree, a Class E felony;
- One count of Criminal Obstruction of Breathing, a Class A misdemeanor; and
- One count of Criminal Mischief in the Fourth Degree, Class A misdemeanors.
The defendant is due back in court for sentencing on April 23, 2025, and faces up to 25 years in prison. He will also be required to register as a sex offender. The defendant is being represented by Daniel Rodgers, Esq.
This case is being prosecuted by Assistant District Attorneys James Scahill and Sean Murphy of the Child Abuse and Domestic Violence Bureau, and the investigation was conducted by Detectives Michael Dormer and Dario Perito 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.