Suffolk Man Found Guilty Of Repeated Sexual Abuse Of Girl, 8: DA

CENTRAL ISLIP, NY – A man was found guilty on Monday for repeatedly sexually abusing a child, 8, according to Suffolk County District Attorney Ray Tierney.

A jury found Jose Marquez Acosta, 59, of Central Islip guilty of sexual conduct against a child, a Class D violent felony, and endangering the welfare of a child, a Class A misdemeanor, Tierney said.

According to evidence established at trial, in September 2018, the girl and other children were frequently babysat by Acosta’s wife in their home before the children went to school, the DA said.

When Acosta’s wife took the other children to the bus stop, the child remained alone in the home
with Acosta, the DA said. During that time, Acosta repeated abused the girl, the DA said.

The abuse continued until March 2020 when the COVID-19 pandemic forced schools to switch to remote learning, so the then-9-year-old girl no longer went to Acosta’s home, the DA said.

The child confided in her older cousin about the abuse at the end of 2021, and her cousin supported the girl in telling her mother in early 2022, Tierney said. The child's mother then notified the police, and Acosta was arrested following an investigation, the DA said.

On April 15, Acosta was convicted after a jury trial heard before Acting Supreme Court Justice Karen Wilutis, the DA said.

"The courage this child showed in testifying in an open courtroom against her abuser is nothing
short of admirable," Tierney said. "Because of her, my prosecutors were able to hold the defendant accountable for his despicable acts."

Acosta is due back in court for sentencing on June 10. Acosta is being represented by attorneys Tor Worsoe and Robert Dapelo.

Acosta's attorneys were not immediately available for comment.