Riverhead Man Gets 23 Years For Sexually Assaulting 10-Year-Old

Riverhead, NY

Jose Carabantes Pineda, who resides in Riverhead and is 37 years old, received a 23-year prison term in Suffolk County Court on April 6th after pleading guilty to sexually assaulting a 10-year-old girl, according to the Suffolk County District Attorney.

The guilty plea and investigation reveal that Carabantes Pineda sexually assaulted the girl on March 10, 2021, by taking her to a Riverhead parking lot in a minivan, binding her with duct tape.

According to the District Attorney's report, the girl tried to defend herself from Carabantes Pineda by hitting the car windows and shouting for assistance, ultimately attracting a helpful passerby.

Worried about the situation, the helpful individual knocked on the minivan's windows before quickly dialing 911.

While talking to Riverhead PD over the phone, he attempted to trail Carabantes Pineda's minivan in order to relay information about the vehicle.

It is claimed by authorities that Carabantes Pineda took the girl in another vehicle upon arriving at home and drove around with her, in order to teach her how to lie to the police about her screams.

Police officers apprehended Carabantes Pineda as soon as he arrived at the house.

"It's unfathomable that there exist people who victimize innocent children in this manner," expressed District Attorney Raymond A. Tierney.

It should be understood that when we apprehend individuals, such as the accused in this case, we will use all possible means to guarantee they receive a long prison term.

According to prosecutors, additional inquiry uncovered that Carabantes Pineda had been assaulting the girl for several months before the occurrence.

On February 24, Carabantes Pineda admitted to committing a criminal sexual act in the first degree.

The judge mandated that he serve 20 years of post-release supervision in addition to his prison sentence.

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