Crime

Suffern Clergy Member Charged With Multiple Sex Crimes

Published

5 years ago

February 21, 2020

Suffern Police Department working in conjunction with the Rockland County District Attorney’s Office Special Victims Unit charged Fidel Hernandez, age 51, with the crimes of Rape 1st Degree, Criminal Sexual Act 1st Degree, Sexual Abuse 1st Degree and Forcible Touching. Hernandez is a member of Tagaste Monastery and Sacred Heart Church located in the Village of Suffern.

The investigation started after a congregant notified a Priest at Tagaste Monastery about an incident that occurred in 2018 where she alleges she was sexually assaulted here in Suffern. The clergy member then contacted the NY Archdiocese who contacted the Rockland County District Attorney’s Office. The District Attorney’s Office then contacted the Suffern Police Department Detective Bureau who opened an investigation. During the course of the investigation a second victim came forward stating that she was sexually assaulted by the defendant as well.

This is an ongoing investigation and anyone that feels they were a victim or knows of a potential victim is asked to contact either the Suffern Police Department or the Rockland County District Attorney’s Office. Hernandez was arraigned this afternoon in Suffern Justice Court and released on $50,000 bail pending a future court date.

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.