Painter Arrested For Raping Child At Apartment Building Worksite: Cops

PEEKSKILL, NY — A painter used his access to a residential building to commit a horrifying crime, according to police.

Westchester County District Attorney Miriam Rocah and City of Peekskill Police Department Chief Leo Dylewski announced on Friday that a man hired to paint apartments in Peekskill was arrested earlier this week and charged with raping a child.

"We know how difficult it is for young victims to come forward," Rocah said. "The DA’s Office is ready to support victims and their families in every way possible and thank the Peekskill police for their assistance."

According to court documents, 59-year-old Anselmo Yambay Pena, of Peekskill, is accused of raping a child under the age of 13 years old, between Feb. 15 and March 31, at a residential building in Peekskill, where Pena had been hired to work as a painter, according to the DA's office and Peekskill police.

Once they learned of the incident, the child's parent notified the Peekskill Police Department. After an investigation, Pena was arrested on Tuesday.

"The City of Peekskill Police Department is committed to protecting our children, and will use every resource available to investigate and arrest those who commit these acts," Chief Dylewski said.

Pena was arraigned in Peekskill City Court on Tuesday on the felony charge of first degree rape.

Bail was set. The DA's Office had requested Pena be remanded. He is due back in court on Oct. 15.

Anyone who may have been victimized by Pena or may have information about other possible victims of Pena is being asked to contact the Peekskill Police Department at (914) 737-8000 or the DA’s Office Special Prosecutions Division at (914) 995- 3000. Language assistance is available.

The case is being prosecuted by Assistant District Attorney Stephanie Baehr of the Child Abuse Bureau in the Special Prosecutions Division.