3rd Man Charged In Connection With Long Island Teen's Disappearance

LONG ISLAND, NY — A third man has been arrested in connection with the disappearance of a 14-year-old girl last month, his attorney confirmed for Patch on Friday.

Alton Harrell has been charged with second-degree rape and kidnapping, both felonies, as well as a misdemeanor charge of child endangerment in connection with the case.

Harrell, 35, of Bellport, allegedly picked the teen up around 5 p.m. on Dec. 9, and both police and prosecutors say he took her to a house on Doane Avenue in Bellport where he had sex with her over the next day, Newsday reported, citing court records.

Defense attorney, Jeremy Scileppi of Commack, said he does not believe that his client was involved in kidnapping, and that prosecutors will not be able to prove it.

"My review of the paperwork that was provided to me, and Mr. Harrell indicates to me, this girl ran away from home, and was not held against her will by my client," he said.

He declined to reveal any details about Harrell.

"It's my understanding that [prosecutors] are in the process of presenting all matters relating to this investigation to a Grand Jury," he said. "My client is remaining incarcerated because [prosecutors] have certified that they've presented enough evidence to secure an indictment against him."

"I'm awaiting an advisement from the courts as to when or where an arraignment of my client might take place on an indictment," he added.

Harrell's bail was set at $100,000, $200,000 insured bond, or $1 million partially secured surety bond, and he is due back in court on Feb. 5, court records show.

The first man arrested in connection with the case is Francis Buckheit, of East Islip, his defense attorney Danielle Marie Papa of Hauppauge confirmed.

He was charged with second-degree rape and first-degree kidnapping, as well as misdemeanor child endangerment.

Buckheit, who is being held without bail, works with tools and had been living on a boat full-time before his arrest, his family told Papa.

"He maintains his innocence and will fight the charges vigorously," she said.

Another man, Bunice Knight, 47, of Copiague, was also charged with second-degree rape and misdemeanor child endangerment at an arraignment on Jan. 14, with prosecutors alleging he had sex with the girl inside his house on Jervis Avenue on Jan. 2, hours before she was found, according to Newsday.

Knight's bail was set at $50,000, $100,000 insured bond, and $500,000 partially secured surety bond, court records show. He has been released, a spokeswoman for the Suffolk sheriff's office said.

Patch has reached out to his attorney, Glenn Obedin of Central Islip, for comment.

Knight's next court date is Jan. 29, and Buckheit on Feb. 4, online court records show.

All three men have pleaded not guilty to the charges and temporary restraining orders were issued, according to court records.

Suffolk police previously told Patch that the teen was found in Islip "in good health," but did not release further details about the circumstances, instead only saying that the investigation is continuing.

Editor's note: The teen's name is being withheld to protect her identity as a minor.