'Unimaginable Abuse': LI Man Raped, Sexually Abused Stepdaughter For Years: DA

AMITYVILLE, NY — A Long Island man has been sentenced to more than two decades in prison for sexually abusing and raping his stepdaughter for years, according to Suffolk County District Attorney Raymond Tierney.

The man, 61, whose name is being withheld to protect the identity of the victim, was sentenced to 24 years in prison followed by 20 years of post-supervision release, after a jury found him guilty in April of course of sexual conduct against a child for sexually abusing his stepdaughter for four years, the DA says.

"Today’s sentence holds a predator accountable for years of unimaginable abuse inflicted on an innocent child," Tierney said. "His actions were a horrific betrayal of trust and a violation of the safety every child deserves. I commend the victim for her extraordinary courage in coming forward, and I thank our prosecutors and law enforcement for their unwavering commitment to justice."

According to evidence established at trial, in 2013, the then 10-year-old victim moved in to live with her mother and stepfather. The DA said that within months, the man began to sexually abuse her and eventually escalated to rape, the DA said. As the victim grew up, she tried to fight the defendant off during the abuse, the DA said.

The abuse finally stopped when the victim was 14 years old, but she did not tell anyone until years later because she was embarrassed by what happened and was afraid that she wouldn’t be believed. In 2023, the victim reported the abuse to law enforcement, and the defendant was arrested following an investigation.

On April 29, the defendant was convicted of one count of first-degree course of sexual conduct against a child, a Class B violent felony, after a jury trial heard before Acting Supreme Court Justice Karen Wilutis, the DA said. On June 30, he was sentenced to 24 years in prison, followed by 20 years of post-release supervision, the DA said.

"We knew this would be a highly challenging trial," his attorney, John LoTurco, told Patch. "His was a split verdict with a conviction on one charge and acquittal on two others. In the meantime, our client continues to assert his innocence and we will file an appeal on his behalf."