LI Man Sentenced After Raping 9-Year-Old Stepdaughter: DA

COPIAGUE, NY — A Copiague man was sentenced to 17 years in prison on Friday for raping his 9-year-old stepdaughter, according to Suffolk County District Attorney Raymond A. Tierney.

The DA said the 33-year-old man is also required to register as a sex offender and is subject to 20 years of post-release supervision after pleading guilty in September to first-degree rape.

According to the investigation, in February 2023, the man raped and sexually abused his 9-year-old stepdaughter while her mother was at work. The little girl told her mother about the abuse the following day because she was anxious about being left alone with the defendant again when her mother went to work, the DA said. Her mother confronted her husband and contacted the police, who placed the defendant under arrest after an investigation, the DA said.

"Today, justice has been served, not only for the victim but for all children in our community who deserve to feel safe," Tierney said. "The defendant’s actions were reprehensible, and the sentence reflects the gravity of the harm done to an innocent child. Our priority will always be to protect our most vulnerable and to ensure that those who commit such heinous acts face the consequences of their actions."

On Sept. 20, the defendant pleaded guilty before Acting Supreme Court Justice Karen M. Wilutis to first-degree rape, a Class B felony the DA said.

He was represented by Christopher Brocato who was not immediately available for comment.