Crime & Safety
Victim Was Kidnapped For 5 Days, Tied To Pallet, Raped, Burnt, And Lost Her Toe: DA
Her abuser offered food and shelter, but led her to a shack in the Orange County woods, and tied her up at knifepoint, according to the DA.
CITY OF NEWBURGH, NY — A nightmarish ordeal that left a sexual assault victim with permanent injuries, has resulted in a Hudson Valley man facing a slew of felony charges.
Orange County District Attorney David M. Hoovler announced that 56-year-old Joseph Menefee, of Newburgh, was arraigned on Tuesday on an indictment charging him with first-degree kidnapping, two counts of predatory sexual assault, 14 counts of first-degree rape, first-degree assault, second-degree assault, first-degree coercion, first-degree unlawful imprisonment, and third-degree criminal possession of a weapon. He is accused of committing the violent assaults between July 6 and July 11, in the City of Newburgh.
According to court documents, Menefee approached the victim on a street in the City of Newburgh and offered her food and a place to stay. He then led her to a shack in the woods. When the victim tried to leave, Menefee pulled out a knife and tied her to a wooden pallet, investigators said.
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Over five days, Menefee repeatedly sexually assaulted the woman and burned her over her body with lit cigarettes, according to prosecutors. He caused the victim serious physical injuries, including an injury that required the amputation of her toe, police said.
Police responded to the scene after receiving a 911 call, and found the victim, who was unconscious.
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During arraignment, Menefee was remanded back to the Orange County Jail without bail, and is scheduled for a conference on October 14.
Hoovler thanked the City of Newburgh Police Department for their investigation which led to the arrest of Menefee.
"The allegations in this indictment are chilling and unspeakable," Hoovler said. "It is a miracle that the victim in this case survived. The prompt response by the police, who also conducted a thorough investigation, led to this defendant being taken into custody. We will continue to work to hold this defendant accountable for the heinous conduct alleged in the indictment."
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