Crime

Rockland DA: JURY CONVICTS SPRING VALLEY MAN ON MULTIPLE RAPE CHARGES

Published

8 months ago

April 3, 2024

ROCKLAND COUNTY, NY – Rockland County District Attorney Thomas E. Walsh II announced today that Rigoberto Lopez Castro, 26 of Spring Valley, New York was convicted of three violent felonies following a two-week jury trial before the Honorable Kevin J. Russo, stemming from criminal acts committed by the defendant on two consecutive nights in 2022 in the Village of Spring Valley.

On September 12, 2022, the defendant forcibly raped the victim, a female previously known to the defendant. The defendant held a belt to the victim’s neck and hit her multiple times. On the following night, September 13, 2022, the defendant unlawfully broke into the victim’s home and locked bedroom, and he again forcibly raped her. He put his hands around her neck and hit her repeatedly. As a result of these attacks, the victim suffered significant pain and sustained multiple bruises about her body and a ligature mark on her neck. She received treatment at a local hospital.

Rigoberto Lopez Castro was convicted on the following charges:

• 1 count of Rape in the First Degree (Penal Law §130.35(1)) (B Felony)
• 1 count of Rape in the First Degree (Penal Law §130.35(1)) (B Felony)
• 1 count of Burglary in the First Degree (Penal Law §140.30(1)) (B Felony)

District Attorney Tom Walsh said, “This conviction reaffirms my commitment to holding perpetrators of sexual violence accountable for their actions. I commend the investigation by our partners in law enforcement and the excellent prosecution by lead counsel Senior Assistant District Attorney McNiff and Executive Assistant District Attorney Guccione. No individual should ever be held against their will or be the victim of sexual abuse, the defendant in this case will now be facing a lengthy prison term at sentencing.”

The defendant is scheduled for sentencing on June 4, 2024 and faces up to 25 years in state prison on each count. The defendant is currently incarcerated in the Rockland County Jail, where he has been held since his arraignment on these charges.

Senior Assistant District Attorney Emily McNiff and Executive Assistant District Attorney Tina Guccione prosecuted the case.

Crime

HPD Announce Arrest Of A Staten Island Man For Burglary Of Pomona Business

Published

2 weeks ago

November 9, 2024

Rockland Report Admin

The Haverstraw Police Department announces the arrest of Jeffrey Reader (33) of Staten Island, New York in connection with a burglary of a Pomona business that occurred in March 2024.

Reader was located and arrested yesterday in Staten Island by the Haverstraw Police Department and transported back to Rockland County where he is charged with Burglary 3rd degree (Class D Felony), Criminal Mischief 4th degree (Class A Misdemeanor) and Petit Larceny (Class A Misdemeanor). Reader was arraigned last evening and remanded into custody of the Rockland County Correctional Facility.

It should be noted that a criminal complaint is merely an accusation and that a defendant is presumed innocent until proven guilty.

Crime

Haverstraw Man Sentenced To State Prison Following Jury Trial Conviction On Felony Sexual Abuse Charge

Published

3 weeks ago

November 1, 2024

Rockland Report Admin

Rockland County District Attorney Thomas E. Walsh II announced today that Elmer Oviedo Sandoval, 47 of Haverstraw, New York was sentenced to six years in state prison following an August 8, 2024, conviction after a Rockland County jury trial on one count of Course of Sexual Conduct Against a Child in the Second Degree (Class D Felony).

From 2016 to 2019, beginning when the victim was nine years old, the defendant subjected her to sexual contact on multiple occasions while she resided in two separate residences within the Town of Ramapo. In 2023, when the victim 16 years old, disclosed the previous abuse by the defendant to her mother and it was reported to the Ramapo Police Department.

District Attorney Tom Walsh said, “Sexual abuse of a minor is a heinous crime, leaving victims with lasting physical, emotional, and psychological effects. I admire the courage of the victim in this case who bravely came forward to tell her story. I commend the thorough and professional prosecution by the Assistant District Attorneys and investigation by the Ramapo Police Department working with the Rockland County District Attorney’s Office Special Victims. My Office will continue to work tirelessly to protect and keep innocent children in our community safe.”

On October 29, 2024, the defendant was sentenced by Judge Anne Bianchi to six years in state prison followed by ten years of post-release supervision. Once the defendant is released from prison, he will be required to register as a Sex Offender.

The investigation was conducted by the Town of Ramapo Police Department with assistance from the Rockland County District Attorney’s Office Special Victims Unit. Supervising Assistant District Attorney Gerard M. Damiani III and Senior Assistant District Attorney Kaitlin Deluca prosecuted the case.