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Putnam Valley Man Accused of Sexually Abusing Girls
Robert Luis Benitez, aged 33, of Putnam Valley, was arrested on January 16, 2007 on charges that he committed sexual acts upon two girls, aged 10 and 12 years. The defendant faces several felony counts in the case and is currently being held in the Putnam County Correctional Facility.
Mr. Benitez allegedly assaulted the 10-year-old girl once, earlier this month, and allegedly engaged in a long course of repeated sex acts against the 12-year-old that began when she was only 10. The defendant was personally acquainted with both victims, whose identities are being withheld under the state sex victim's shield law.
Sheriff's Investigators say that it appears Mr. Benitez manipulated the older victim, by means of emotional and psychological duress, to prevent her from reporting his repeated abuse against her. They say that it was only after the defendant assaulted the girl's 10-year-old friend on January 15, 2007, that the 12-year-old broke her silence and told her friend about the long history of alleged abuse she had suffered at the hands of Mr. Benitez.
On the day after the alleged January 15th attack against her, the 10-year-old told an adult about the incident and also revealed that the other girl had intimated to her that Mr. Benitez had abused her, too. The Putnam County Sheriffs Department and the Putnam County Bureau of Child Protective Services ("CPS") were notified.
The 10-year-old told authorities that Mr. Benitez attacked her and forcibly kissed and fondled her while at a private residence in Putnam Valley. When authorities approached the 12-year-old, she related a disturbing account of repeated sexual abuse by Mr. Benitez against her over the preceding two years.
Sheriff's Investigator Michael Nalbone arrested Mr. Benitez on January 16th and charged him with committing a Criminal Sexual Act in the First Degree, a Criminal Sexual Act in the Second Degree, and Sexual Conduct with a Child in the First Degree, all class B felonies, and with Sexual Abuse in the First Degree, a class D felony. The class B felonies are punishable by up to 25 years imprisonment and fines of up to $5,000 on each count; the class D felony carries a penalty of up to seven years' imprisonment and a fine of up to $5,000. The investigation is ongoing and additional charges may be filed.
Mr. Benitez was arraigned on January 17th before Putnam Valley Town Justice Louis DiCarlo, who set bail in the amounts of $250,000 cash or $500,000 bond and ordered the defendant remanded to the county jail. He remains in the jail as of the time of this news release.
When arrested, Mr. Benitez was on probation stemming from his conviction in White Plains City Court on March 21, 2005 on a misdemeanor charge of Forcible Touching. He received three years' probation in that case, in which he was charged with forcibly fondling an adult female co-worker at a shopping mall in White Plains.
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