Wappinger Man Accused Of Rape, Incest

WAPPINGER, NY — A resident of the town of Wappinger was accused of having sex with someone who was not able to consent.

The Dutchess County Sheriff’s Office said Kawliga B. Shapiro, 42, of Wappinger, was arrested Tuesday after about a year-long investigation and he was accused of having sexual intercourse with someone who is unable to consent on at least two occasions in 2022.

Authorities said that, at this time, no further information will be released in order to protect the victim’s privacy and safeguard future court proceedings. The incidents are not thought to be random acts, police said.

Shapiro was charged with two counts each of second-degree rape, second-degree incest and first-degree endangering the welfare of an incompetent person, all felonies.

At the time of his arrest, he was already incarcerated at the Dutchess County Jail on unrelated charges, and he remains there.

If anyone has any information about his case or similar incidents involving Shapiro, they are urged to contact Detective Meyer at 845-496-3778 or by email or Detective Gerardi at 845-486-3835 or by email.

Information can also be supplied through the sheriff’s office tip line at 845-605-2583 or by email. All information will be kept confidential.

The sheriff’s office was assisted in the investigation by the Dutchess County Department of Probation and Community Corrections, as well as the New York State Police.