June 23, 2022 – Westchester County District Attorney Miriam E. Rocah announced that former Peekskill Police Officer Michael Agovino was sentenced on June 23, 2022, to seven years in state prison for sexually abusing a woman on multiple occasions while he was on duty between 2019 and 2020.
Agovino, 36, of Orangetown, previously pled guilty on March 17, 2022, before Judge Barry Warhit, who promised the defendant a sentence of seven years in state prison, with 15 years of post-release supervision, and the requirement that he register as a sex offender. The District Attorney’s Office objected to the promised sentence, recommending that the Court impose a higher sentence of 15 years in state prison and required that the defendant plead guilty to all 20 counts of the indictment:
- Three counts of Burglary in the Second Degree as a Sexually Motivated Felony;
- Two counts of Burglary in the Second Degree, a felony;
- Two counts of Sexual Abuse in the First Degree, a felony;
- Attempted Burglary in the Second Degree as a Sexually Motivated Felony;
- Attempted Burglary in the Second Degree, a felony;
- Stalking in the First Degree as a Sexually Motivated Felony;
- Falsifying Business Records in the First Degree, a felony;
- Four counts of Official Misconduct, a misdemeanor;
- Three counts of Coercion in the Third Degree, a misdemeanor; and
- Two counts of Forcible Touching, a misdemeanor.
“Several components came together in this case leading to justice for the victim and accountability for the defendant. First and foremost, the extremely brave victim fought to hold her abuser accountable by coming forward after being abused. Second, from the outset of this investigation, the Peekskill Police Department worked in partnership with this office on behalf of the victim. And, as always, we had a remarkable team of prosecutors, investigators and victim aides who worked tirelessly during the past two-and-a-half years to ensure that this victim was supported, and the defendant was held accountable,” DA Rocah said.
“Michael Agovino egregiously violated the trust of the Peekskill community, grossly abused his position of authority as a police officer, and violated his oath of office. While we are disappointed that the Court’s sentence did not meet our recommendation, Michael Agovino is going to prison,” DA Rocah added. “We hope this case sends a message that no one is above the law.”
On two occasions in July 2019, Agovino, while on duty as a police officer and under the guise of working on an investigation, unlawfully entered the victim’s Peekskill home. During the first visit, Agovino demanded the victim remove all of her clothing, and then sexually abused her. On the second visit, Agovino returned to the home, threatened the victim with arrest unless she removed her clothing or performed a sex act on him, and again sexually abused her.
Over the next five months, on three separate occasions, while on duty, Agovino unlawfully entered, or attempted to enter, the victim’s home for his own sexual gratification at the expense of the victim, and in one instance sexually abused her. On the last date, in January 2020, unbeknownst to Agovino, the victim made an audio recording of their interaction, and provided that recording to the District Attorney’s Office.
In collaboration with the Peekskill Police Department, investigators from the District Attorney’s Office conducted an investigation and arrested Agovino on Feb. 15, 2020.
In a statement made to the court, the victim explained the impact of Agovino’s actions: “I had to move out of my home and start over because it wasn’t a home anymore. Your actions took me from my hometown where I came from after 49 years. I was even pulling out my own hair and at one point, I even thought about taking my own life. This is about what you did... You took advantage of my...fear of your position.”
Agovino was placed on administrative leave pending this case and resigned from the Peekskill Police Department in 2021.
The defendant pled guilty before Judge Barry Warhit and sentence was imposed by Judge Susan Cacace in Westchester County Court. The case was prosecuted by Special Prosecutions Deputy Division Chief Michelle Lopez and Public Integrity & Law Enforcement Integrity Deputy Bureau Chief Jennifer Sculco.
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Anna Young, Public Information Officer
(914) 995-3586
ayoung@westchesterda.net
