New Windsor man Sentenced to 7 Years in Prison

Orange County District Attorney David M. Hoovler announced that on Monday, March 25, 2024, Alejandro Benitez, age 18, of New Windsor, was sentenced to seven (7) years in prison and twenty (20) years of post-release supervision in connection to his previous guilty plea in Orange County Court to Rape in the Second Degree.  The sentence imposed was the maximum available sentence under the law.  As part of the sentence, Benitez will also be registered as a sex offender under the New York Sex Offender Registration Act (SORA). 

Benitez had previously admitted in Court that, being eighteen (18) years or older, he engaged in sexual intercourse with another person who was less than fifteen (15) years old.

District Attorney Hoovler thanked the New York State Police for their investigation and the arrest of the defendant.

“We owe an obligation to protect all children from sexual predators,” said District Attorney David M. Hoovler. “Cases like this one are both sensitive and challenging for police and prosecutors.  My Office will continue to provide support for victims of sexual assault and seek to hold offenders accountable for their actions.  I commend the survivor for coming forward and being heard.”

The case is being prosecuted by Assistant District Attorney Michael Purcell.

A criminal charge is merely an allegation by the police that a defendant has committed a violation of the criminal law, and it is not evidence of guilt. All defendants are presumed innocent and entitled to a fair trial, during which it will be the State of New York’s burden to prove guilt beyond a reasonable doubt.