Port Jervis Man Pleads Guilty After Woman Beaten, Kidnapped At Knife-Point: DA

PORT JERVIS, NY — A man accused of kidnapping and severely beating a woman who had a protective order against him has pleaded guilty, according to the Orange County District Attorney’s office.

Francisco Ceballos-Rosario, 43, of Port Jervis, entered the guilty plea Wednesday in Orange County Court to one count of second-degree kidnapping.

Ceballos-Rosario faces up to 13 years in prison at his sentencing, which is scheduled for Aug. 20.

The victim woke up on Dec. 28, 2024 in her Port Jervis home, and found Ceballos-Rosario “covering her mouth and nose and attempting to have intercourse with her,” according to the district attorney’s office.

The woman had an active order of protection against him at the time.

Prosecutors said Ceballos-Rosario repeatedly hit the woman in the face and ordered her out of her home at knife-point. Ceballos-Rosario next ordered the woman to her car and threatened to kill her, according to prosecutors.

While driving, the woman said the car was failing. This prompted Ceballos-Rosario to drag the woman out of the vehicle by her hair, beat her and slam her head into a sign post, prosecutors said, in an announcement.

A bystander who saw the attack called police, who responded to the scene and arrested Ceballos-Rosario.

The woman suffered broken facial bones and hearing loss because of the beating, according to the district attorney’s office.

Orange County District Attorney David M. Hoovler said he applauds the actions of both the bystander and law enforcement.

Together, they “very well might have saved this victim’s life,” Hoovler said.

“The cycle of domestic violence has terrible ramifications for survivors,” Hoovler said. “I commend the bravery of the survivor in this case and hope that the resolution will grant her a degree of closure.”