A 23-year-old Brentwood man was found guilty of first-degree rape, fourth-degree grand larceny 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 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.
(The District Attorney’s Office is not naming the defendant in order to protect the identity of the victim.)
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 first-degree rape, a Class B violent felony
- two counts of first-degree criminal sexual act, both Class B violent felonies
- one count of aggravated sexual abuse, a Class B violent felony
- one count of first-degree sexual abuse, a Class D violent felony
- one count of third-degree rape, a Class E felony
- two counts of third-degree criminal sexual act, both Class E felonies
- one count of fourth-degree grand larceny, a Class E felony
- one count of criminal obstruction of breathing, a Class A misdemeanor
- one count of fourth-degree criminal mischief, a Class A misdemeanor
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 verdict today holds the defendant accountable for his horrific actions. No one has the right to force themselves on anyone without their consent,” said Suffolk County District Attorney Ray 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.”