Prison For 41-Year-Old Who Sexually Abused 7-Year-Old Girl

KINGSTON, NY — Prosecutors say an Ulster County man's failure to take responsibility after admitting to sexually abusing a child meant a harsher sentence than originally proposed.

The Ulster County District Attorney's Office says that on December 6, 41-year-old Carlos Fernando Pinola Pop, of Kingston, was sentenced to four-and-a-half years in state prison for his August 15, conviction of class D violent felony first degree sexual abuse.

He will be required to register with the NYS Sex Offender Registry and may also be subjected to deportation proceedings under federal law.

According to prosecutors, on September 25, 2023, Pinola Pop subjected a seven-year-old child to sexual contact by placing his hands and penis on her vagina. The victim told her mother, who reported the incident to a third-party community member. Police were then contacted and Pinola Pop was arrested by the Kingston Police Department on October 13, 2023.

"Crimes against children are the most heinous offenses committed in Ulster County. It takes a lot of courage for anyone to report sex offenses, let alone a seven-year-old little girl," Special Victims Bureau Chief Jenna Hastings said. "I commend her bravery, and I am glad our office was successful in finding her the justice she deserved. I thank the Kingston Police Department for the continued dedication in their work with Special Victims Bureau cases and investigations."

Pinola Pop admitted the sexual contact to the Kingston Police Department, and later admitted his guilt during his plea in open court.

However, during a later interview with the Ulster County Probation Department, he failed to take accountability for his actions and said that he only accidentally touched the victim. His false statement resulted in the court imposing a higher sentence than the one originally agreed upon, the DA's office said.

"Ulster County DA’s Special Victims & Intimate Partner Violence team is specifically dedicated to the aggressive prosecution of these cases, and works with our local law enforcement agencies who investigate and arrest such offenders," District Attorney Emmanuel C. Nneji said. "The community’s role in 'see something, say something' is integral in the effort to protect children. These crimes cause lasting and permanent damage to the victim, the victim’s family, and degrade the sense of safety and security for all of us. This Office will continue to ensure these cases are handled with the care and attention needed in these difficult and challenging cases."

If you or a loved one are experiencing sexual or domestic violence in Ulster County, you can call the Ulster County Crime Victims Assistance Program at (845) 340-3443. Call 911 if you are in immediate danger.