Guilty Plea In Sex Abuse Of Elderly Women In Long Island Home Invasions: DA

MASTIC BEACH, NY — A man, who has no known last address, has pleaded guilty to burglary, sexual abuse, and other related charges, for breaking into the homes of two elderly women in Mastic Beach and sexually assaulting them, Suffolk District Attorney Ray Tierney said Tuesday.

On Oct. 10, 2023, Derrick Clancy, 43, broke into a Mastic Beach home where his first victim, a woman over 70 years old, was inside alone, prosecutors said, adding that to get inside the home, he cut a hole in a window screen and climbed through the window.

Clancy then physically and sexually abused the victim while repeatedly claiming he had a knife, according to prosecutors.

Following the abuse, the victim pressed her medical alert system button for help, and Clancy fled the home, prosecutors said.

The second attack occurred during the early morning hours of Oct. 17, 2023, when a woman
over 70 years old heard a noise coming from a closet inside her home, prosecutors said, adding that when the victim looked in the closet, she saw Clancy coming into her home through a window in the closet.

Clancy then physically and sexually abused the victim, then fled and she called 911, prosecutors said.

Both women were treated at a local hospital for their injuries.

“This defendant preyed on and violated two elderly women while they were supposed to be in the
safe harbor of their own homes,” Tierney said. “Thanks to the great work of the Suffolk County Police Department officers and task force members, this defendant will no longer be able to harm Suffolk County residents.”

His attorney, Christopher Brocato of Central Islip, said his client took responsibility for his crimes and his plea eliminated the need for the two victims to have to testify and relive the crimes.

"He hopes his plea will serve as some closure for the two victims," he added.

Following an investigation by Suffolk police, the United States Marshals Service’s New York/New Jersey Regional Fugitive Task Force, including District Attorney investigators, and investigators with the New York State Department of Corrections and Community Supervision, Clancy was arrested on Oct. 21, 2023, and detectives recovered the mask and knife that he had used during the first burglary.

Clancy also pleaded guilty to second-degree assault and criminal obstruction of breathing or blood circulation.

He is due back in court on June 21 for sentencing and is expected to be sentenced to 22
years to life in prison.