A Riverhead man was arrested for allegedly committing sex crimes against a minor whose family knew the defendant.
On December 13, 2024, New York State Police received a child abuse referral originated by a minor’s doctor. The physician said that they were conducting a routine annual physical on a female minor when she revealed that an adult male had sexually abused her.
Over a nine-month period, Edgar Nova Lopez, 29, who was friends with the child’s family, allegedly made the girl watch pornography and perform the same acts they watched. He also allegedly touched the girl inappropriately and made her perform sexual acts.
On February 25, 2025, Nova Lopez was arrested for sexual conduct in the first degree (a Class B Felony) and sex abuse in the first degree (a Class D Felony). He was arraigned at Riverhead Town Court and was given bail. He then stayed at Yaphank Correctional Facility, where he remains until his next court date on February 28.