close
close

Long Island man sentenced to 20 years in prison for raping his stepdaughter

CENTER MORICHES, NY (PIX11) — A 36-year-old man was sentenced to prison Monday after pleading guilty in June to first-degree sexual abuse of his stepdaughter over several years, according to Suffolk County District Attorney Raymond Tierney.

According to court documents, the man admitted to regularly raping his stepdaughter between 2014 and 2023, when she was seven years old. In May 2023, the woman begged her mother not to leave her alone with the man, after which she told her mother everything, the prosecutor said.

More news from Long Island

After learning the details, mother and daughter hatched a plan to catch him in the act. The mother pretended to go to work one morning, but returned to the Long Island home minutes later through a side door. The prosecutor said when she entered the house, she saw the man naked in front of the victim.

“For nearly a decade, this defendant has abused the trust of his family and committed immeasurable
“A trauma for an innocent child,” Tierney said. “No punishment can completely heal the physical and emotional wounds, but this sentence will ensure that the defendant cannot abuse this survivor, her family, or anyone else. The perpetrator will be in prison where he belongs.”

According to the prosecutor, the man was sentenced to 20 years in prison and 20 years probation after his release.

If you or someone you know is a victim of sexual assault, call the National Sexual Assault Hotline at 1-800-656-4673. It’s a free, 24/7 service that offers support, information, and local resources. You can also click here to find more hotlines in your state.

Jonathan Rizk is a digital journalist who has covered local news in New York City and Washington, DC. He joined PIX11 in August 2022. See more of his work here and follow him on X and Facebook @OfficialRizk. Contact us at [email protected].

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports and streaming videos, visit PIX11.