East Quogue, NY - December 19, 2016 - Following an eight day trial and two days of deliberations, a Suffolk County jury today convicted a 43 year old East Quogue man of Aggravated Criminal Contempt, Criminal Contempt in the first degree, Unlawful Imprisonment, Harassment in the second degree, and two counts of Assault, in the second and third degrees, for the violent beating of his ex-girlfriend in February of this year, Suffolk County District Attorney Thomas Spota said.

Rolando Rodriguez of East Quogue, who has a prior Manslaughter in the first degree and a felony drug conviction in his criminal history, will be sentenced on January 25 in Riverhead.

Rodriguez and the victim were in a relationship for a little less than one year. The violence detailed at trial included the defendant slapping the victim across the face last New Year's Eve, punching, kicking, and slapping the victim on February 7 – when he repeatedly kicked the woman while wearing boots - and repeatedly striking the victim in the face and head, as well as refusing to let her leave his East Quogue home, on February 25 and 26th of this year, in violation of an order of protection that was issued after the February 7th beating.

The convictions on the criminal contempt and assault in the second degree charges dictate the defendant will face a maximum of up to 14 years in state prison at next month’s sentencing, District Attorney Spota said.

A  criminal charge is an accusation.  A defendant is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty in a court of law.