A Far Rockaway man is set to spend more than four decades behind bars after a jury found him guilty of repeatedly sexually abusing his stepson over seven years, prosecutors said. The abuse started when the boy was 9 and continued until he was 15, according to court accounts. The sentence includes 43 years in prison, 10 years of post-release supervision, and a requirement that the defendant register as a sex offender.
In a press release from the Queens District Attorney's Office, District Attorney Melinda Katz said the defendant "subjected this young victim to unspeakable abuse that continued for seven years" and vowed that her office would continue to support the survivor. According to the release, Supreme Court Justice Peter Vallone Jr. handed down the 43-year term and ordered 10 years of post-release supervision.
As reported by The Wave, the man was convicted on May 4 of course of sexual conduct against a child in the first degree, two counts of criminal sexual act in the second degree, four counts of sexual abuse in the third degree, and endangering the welfare of a child. Prosecutors said the abuse involved oral and anal contact and noted that it only briefly stopped during the COVID lockdown when more people were inside the home.
How The Case Unfolded
According to the Queens District Attorney's Office, the child disclosed the abuse in May 2023 to his school principal and guidance counselor, who then reported it. The defendant was arrested that same month. Assistant District Attorney Samantha Delao of the Special Victims Bureau prosecuted the case, with supervision from bureau chiefs and executive prosecutors.
Legal Details
The convictions stem from conduct that prosecutors say began around September 2016 and continued up through 2023. As noted by The Wave, the lengthy sentence reflects the jury's verdict on what authorities described as a prolonged pattern of abuse.
Advocates point out that school staff are often a critical line of defense in spotting abuse and getting children help. This case underscores the role principals, teachers, and counselors can play in reporting suspected abuse and connecting families with support services.
