Suffolk County District Attorney Timothy D. Sini and Suffolk County Police Acting Commissioner Stuart Cameron have announced the indictment of a Bay Shore man for allegedly posing as a ride share driver and sexually abusing an unconscious passenger as well as sexually abusing and unlawfully videotaping other victims.
“This is very much an ongoing investigation, but we wanted to get information on this case out because we are attempting to identify additional victims,” District Attorney Sini said. “The Suffolk County Police Department’s Third Squad has been working tirelessly in collaboration with my Office to investigate this individual and hold him accountable. For those folks who may have been victimized by this defendant, it is critically important that you come forward.”
“Guaman’s actions are both shocking and disturbing,” Suffolk County Police Acting Commissioner Stuart Cameron said. “The true scope and magnitude of this case is under active investigation and our department is currently attempting to identify other victims who were preyed upon by this defendant. I would like to commend Third Squad detectives for their persistence on this case and the Suffolk County District Attorney’s Office for their continued partnership in holding predators accountable for their actions.”
Raul Guaman, 43, is charged with Criminal Sexual Act in the First Degree, a class B felony; Burglary in the Second Degree as a sexually motivated felony, a class C felony; Burglary in the Second Degree, a class C felony; Sexual Abuse in the First Degree, a class D felony; four counts of Unlawful Surveillance in the Second Degree, a class E felony; two counts of Sexual Abuse in the Third Degree, a class B misdemeanor; and Failure to Stop at a Stop Sign, a traffic infraction.
On Nov. 14, Guaman allegedly illegally entered a residence in Suffolk County and sexually abused a female victim who was asleep. The victim awoke and called 911. Guaman and his vehicle were captured on video surveillance arriving at and leaving the residence.
On Nov. 18, Suffolk County Police Third Precinct officers arrested Guaman for allegedly failing to stop at a stop sign.
Further investigation by Third Squad detectives resulted in the discovery of numerous videos on Guaman’s cell phone allegedly showing him engaging in sexual acts with unconscious female victims since at least January 2019. Police were able to identify one victim and are continuing to investigate the identities of the other victims. Guaman’s cell phone also allegedly contained videos taken surreptitiously on four separate dates of a second victim from the same residence he broke into on Nov. 14.
Pursuant to the investigation by the Third Squad, a search was conducted at his residence, which resulted in the seizure of 32 cell phones and 16 driver’s licenses belonging to women.
The investigation revealed evidence suggesting that Guaman was allegedly posing as a ride share driver and picking up female victims before sexually abusing them.
The investigation is ongoing. District Attorney Sini and Acting Commissioner Cameron urge anyone who believes he or she may have been a victim of this defendant or anyone with information to please contact the Suffolk County Police Department’s Third Squad at 631-854-8352.
Guaman was arraigned on the indictment today before Acting Suffolk County Supreme Court Justice Chris Ann Kelley and was remanded without bail. He is due back in court on Jan. 6 and is being represented by the law firm of McGuire, Pelaez and Bennett.
If convicted of the top count, Guaman faces a maximum sentence of up to 25 years in prison.
This case is being prosecuted by Assistant District Attorney Ferron Lien, of the Felony Offense Bureau’s Major Crime Unit.
A criminal charge is merely an accusation and the defendant is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty.