6-Year-Old Girl's 'Bravery' Ensured Long Island Abuser Went To Prison: Prosecutors

CENTEREACH, NY — A Centereach man who offered pocket change to a six-year-old girl that he raped with has been sentenced to 12 years in prison, Suffolk prosecutors said Friday.

Jose Romero, 34, in April, admitted to having sexual intercourse with the child and to giving her pocket change so that she would not tell her parents about what he had done to her, according to prosecutors.

Despite his attempt to conceal his crime, she immediately disclosed it to her parents who contacted the police and she was brought to Stony Brook University Hospital where a sexual assault nurse examiner recovered DNA evidence linking Romero to the crime, prosecutors said.

District Attorney Ray Tierney said that because of the child's "bravery," Romero will go to prison where he cannot harm any other children.

“Speaking out against an abuser, especially at such a young age, is a difficult task," he said. "However, it is a step that we encourage all those who are victims in Suffolk County to take so that we may keep our most vulnerable residents safe.”

Romero, who pleaded guilty to first-degree rape, had a sentence imposed that included 10 years of post-release supervision, as well as a requirement that he register as a sex offender.

His attorney, Christopher Brocato of Central Islip, previously told Patch that Romero will likely be deported to his native country of Honduras after his release due to his immigration status.

"Pleading guilty to this type of felony usually leads to automatic deportation when you have no status in this country," he said, adding, "and he has no status in this country."