July 7, 2023
WHITE PLAINS, N.Y. – Westchester County District Attorney Miriam E. Rocah announced today the indictment of a New Rochelle man on 67 counts of physical sexual acts involving children in Westchester County, as well as the creation and possession of images and videos of children engaged in sexual acts, between 2019 and 2023.
DA Rocah said: “The Westchester County District Attorney’s Office is committed to working with our partners to bring to justice anyone who exploits, abuses or endangers our children through sexual contact or over the internet. We will continue to engage with families to help arm them with tools to protect our children and offer support for victims who come forward.”
The defendant, Jason Ricketts, 22, of New Rochelle, was indicted by a Westchester County Grand Jury and arraigned on July 6 on the following charges:
- Two counts of Predatory Sexual Assault Against a Child, felonies
- Two counts of Course of Sexual Conduct Against a Child in the First Degree, felonies
- 12 counts of Use of a Child in a Sexual Performance, felonies
- Seven counts of Criminal Sexual Act in the Second Degree, felonies
- Six counts of Unlawful Surveillance in the Second Degree, felonies
- Six counts of Criminal Sexual Act in the Third Degree, felonies
- 34 counts of Possessing an Obscene Sexual Performance by a Child, felonies
- Sexual Misconduct, a misdemeanor
The defendant was arrested by the Westchester County District Attorney’s Office on Feb. 2, and remains in custody at Westchester County Jail.
After receiving a referral from the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children (NCMEC), an investigation was conducted by the Westchester County District Attorney’s Office Child Abuse Bureau, Cyber Crimes Bureau, and Criminal Investigators with the High Technology Crimes Unit and Special Prosecutions Unit. The District Attorney thanked NCMEC and the New Rochelle Police Department for their assistance with the investigation.
Anyone who may have been victimized or may have information about other possible victims of the defendant can contact the DA’s Office Special Prosecutions Division at (914) 995- 3000. Language assistance is available.
The District Attorney’s Office is actively engaged with schools and community groups on safety presentations for protecting minors from the dangers of the internet. For more information, contact the DA’s Office Community Affairs at (914) 995-3317.
The case is before Judge Susan Cacace in Westchester County Court, and is being prosecuted by Domestic Violence Deputy Bureau Chief Janelle Armentano and Senior Assistant District Attorney Mollie O’Rourke, both of the Special Prosecutions Division, and Cyber Crimes Deputy Bureau Chief Laura Forbes of the Trials and Investigations Division.
The charges against the defendant are merely an accusation, and the defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.
Anna Young, Public Information Officer
(914) 995-6551
ayoung@westchesterda.net
