Defendant sentenced to 22 years to life imprisonment for sexually abusing two elderly women in their homes

(Suffolk County, New York) – Suffolk County District Attorney Raymond A. Tierney announced today that Derrick Clancy, 43, was sentenced to 22 years to life in prison after pleading guilty in April to burglary, sexual abuse and other related charges for breaking into the homes of two elderly women in Mastic Beach and sexually assaulting them.

“Breaking into the homes of elderly women and sexually abusing them is absolutely reprehensible,” said District Attorney Tierney. “My office will continue to vigorously pursue justice for our most vulnerable citizens and ensure that those who abuse them face the full consequences of their actions.”

According to the investigation and the defendant’s confessions during his guilty plea, in the early morning hours of October 10, 2023, Clancy broke into a home in Mastic Beach where the first victim, a woman in her 70s, was alone. To get into the home, Clancy cut a hole in a screen door and climbed through the window. Clancy then physically and sexually abused the victim, repeatedly claiming he had a knife. After the abuse, the victim pressed the button on her emergency medical alert system to get help and Clancy fled the home. The victim was treated at a local hospital for his injuries.

Clancy’s second attack occurred in the early morning hours of October 17, 2023, when a woman in her 70s heard a noise coming from a closet in her home. When the victim looked into the closet, she saw Clancy enter her home through a window in the closet. Clancy then physically and sexually abused the victim before fleeing. The victim immediately called 911 and was subsequently treated at a local hospital for his injuries.

Clancy was arrested on October 21, 2023, following an investigation conducted by members of the Suffolk County Police Department, the New York/New Jersey Regional Fugitive Task Force of the United States Marshals Service, the Suffolk County District Attorney’s Office, and the New York State Department of Corrections and Community Supervision. Upon his arrest, investigators recovered the mask and knife Clancy used in the first burglary.

On April 30, 2024, Clancy pleaded guilty before Acting Supreme Court Justice Karen M. Wilutis to the following charges:

• Two counts of first-degree burglary, a class B violent felony;
• Two counts of first-degree sexual abuse, class D violent felonies;
• Two counts of second-degree assault, a Class D violent felony; and
• Two counts of criminal obstruction of respiration or circulation, Class A misdemeanors.

On June 21, 2024, Judge Wilutis sentenced Clancy to 22 years to life in prison. He was represented by Christopher Brocato, Esq.

The case was prosecuted by Assistant District Attorneys Tara O’Donnell and Jacob DeLauter of the Major Crime Bureau, with investigative assistance from Detectives Michael Langella and Erik Pedersen of the Suffolk County Police Department’s 7th Squad.

###

Criminal charges and indictments are merely instruments of accusation.

Defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty. No one is above the law.

725 Veterans Memorial Highway ● Building 77 ● Hauppauge, NY 11788 ● 631.852.3185

SuffolkCountyNY.gov/DA ● twitter.com/RayTierneyDA ● instagram.com/RayTierneyDA