Reportedly Threw Sulfuric Acid on Victim, Burning Her Face, Body
A Wyandanch man was indicted for allegedly throwing sulfuric acid all over his girlfriend’s face and body, causing serious chemical burns.
In the early morning hours of November 16, Douglas Graves was with his girlfriend at a residence where he had been staying in Wyandanch. When the victim attempted to leave the house to go back to her home, the two got into an argument. During the dispute, Graves allegedly picked up a Chlorox bleach bottle which contained sulfuric acid and intentionally splashed the victim’s face and body with the liquid before fleeing. The liquid immediately burned through the victim’s clothing, reaching the skin, which caused excruciating pain. The victim reported that Graves allegedly regularly carried the acid mixture for personal protection. Police were called, but Graves had already left the scene.
When they arrived, the victim’s clothing was melting off her body due to the chemical reaction. The victim was transported to Nassau County Medical Center by ambulance, and she was admitted for treatment of chemical burns. Even with treatment to neutralize the chemical reaction, the burns to the victim continued to worsen for approximately a week, requiring constant wound care. Future reconstructive surgeries will be necessary to repair the damage that was caused to her skin.
Graves was located and arrested later on the morning of the alleged assault. While in custody, the defendant made phone calls to two different female associates on November 20 and November 24, during which he allegedly sought their assistance in preventing the victim from testifying. The defendant further attempted to contact the victim directly while she was still hospitalized by calling her from jail.
On December 11, Graves was arraigned on the indictment before Acting Supreme Court Justice Richard I. Horowitz for the following charges:
- two counts of Assault in the First Degree, Class B felonies
- two counts of Assault in the Second Degree, Class D felonies
- one count of Criminal Possession of a Weapon in the Third Degree, a Class D felony
- two counts of Tampering with a Witness in the Fourth Degree, Class A misdemeanors
- one count of Criminal Contempt in the Second Degree, a Class A misdemeanor
- two counts of Attempted Criminal Contempt in the Second Degree, Class B misdemeanors
Horowitz ordered Graves held on $150,000 cash, $500,000 bond, or $1,000,000 partially secured bond. Graves is due back in court on January 8, 2026, and faces 25 years in prison if convicted on the top count.
“This kind of cruelty is unimaginable,” said Suffolk County District Attorney Ray Tierney. “Survivors of domestic violence deserve unwavering protection, and we will not tolerate those who believe they can brutalize their partners without consequence. The Suffolk County District Attorney’s Office stands with victims, and we will fight for them relentlessly.”