Suffolk Man Pleads Guilty To Sexually Abusing Child For 4 Years: DA

CENTRAL ISLIP, NY — A Central Islip man pleaded guilty Wednesday to repeatedly sexually abusing a child over four years, prosecutors said.

Yonathan Ramirez Argueta, 28, was charged with first-degree course of sexual conduct against a child, second-degree course of sexual conduct against a child, and endangering the welfare of a child, Suffolk County District Attorney Raymond A. Tierney said.

From May 2018 to April 2022, Ramirez Argueta began abusing the child when she was 5 years old and continued until she disclosed the abuse at 9 years old, according to court documents and the guilty plea.

After the child’s disclosure, Ramirez Argueta immediately fled to Georgia and tried to hop on a one-way flight to Central America, prosecutors said. His flee attempt was thwarted when he was arrested and returned to Suffolk County.

“No child should ever once be subjected to such abuse, let alone to have it last over the course of four years of their young life. This defendant picked a defenseless innocent child to abuse and what he did is simply unacceptable,” said District Attorney Tierney. “This defendant’s conviction saves the victim from having to testify and should send a message that the sexual abuse of children will have severe consequences in Suffolk County.”

Ramirez Argueta pleaded guilty before County Court Judge, the Honorable Karen M. Wilutis, officials said.

He is expected to be sentenced to 12 years in prison followed by 18 years of post- release supervision. His sentencing is scheduled for March 22.

Patch has reached out to Ramirez Argueta's attorney, Douglas O’Connor, for comment.