July 13, 2022 – Westchester County District Attorney Miriam E. Rocah announced that on July 12, 2022, 27-year-old Christopher Nunez was sentenced to the maximum term of four years in prison for the ‘statutory rape’ of a 15-year-old in North Salem (“Victim-1”). This sentence will run concurrently to the 26-year federal prison sentence that was announced on July 5, 2022, for enticing Victim-1 and two additional minors to engage in sexual activity in New York, Kentucky and New Jersey. The two additional victims were discovered by federal authorities after a referral from the Westchester County District Attorney’s Office.
“The bravery of this 15-year-old victim, who came forward to report this crime, resulted in my office collaborating with the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of New York, which culminated in justice for two additional victims,” DA Rocah said. “This case is another stark reminder of the dangers of online sexual predators who manipulate minors. Our office is available to help parents and families better protect minors from predatory online dangers, and will hold accountable to the fullest extent of the law those who prey on children.”
On May 1, 2021, Nunez traveled from his hometown of Miami, Florida, to North Salem, New York, and engaged in sexual activity with Victim-1. Prior to the incident, the defendant communicated online with the victim for approximately three months and persuaded the victim to meet with him to engage in sexual activity.
The New York State Police arrested Nunez shortly after the incident, which led to a further joint investigation with the Special Prosecutions Division of the Westchester County District Attorney’s Office. In May 2021, the District Attorney’s Office referred the case to the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of New York to expand the investigation to potential victims beyond the jurisdiction of Westchester County.
In October 2021, the defendant pled guilty to Rape in the Third Degree, a felony, in Westchester County Court. Upon his release from prison, he will be required to register as a sex offender.
DA Rocah commended the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of New York, the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the New York State Police, the Westchester County Safe Streets Task Force and the Special Prosecutions Division for their work on this vital investigation.
The case was before Judge Susan Cacace in Westchester County Court, and was prosecuted by Assistant District Attorney Charlotte Gudis of the Special Prosecutions Division.
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Anna Young, Public Information Officer
(914) 995-6551
ayoung@westchesterda.net