KINGSTON, NY— Alixandro Peraza Varela, age 45, of New Paltz, was convicted on July 19, 2024 of Sex Abuse in the First Degree, a class D-violent felony, and Unlawful Imprisonment in the Second Degree, a class A misdemeanor, following a five-day jury trial before the Honorable Bryan Rounds. The Sex Abuse conviction requires mandatory registration with the New York State Sex Offender Registry, as well as a minimum State Prison sentence of two years, and a maximum sentence of seven years. The jury began its deliberations at 10 a.m. and returned a verdict at 4:01 p.m. Sentencing is scheduled for October 4, 2024.
On February 24, 2023, Alixandro Peraza Varela sexually assaulted an adult female victim in her personal vehicle in the Town of Gardiner. The victim was a house cleaner; when her vehicle became stuck in the mud, she called Peraza Varela, a family friend, for assistance. Once they were able to dislodge her vehicle defendant declined the victim’s offer to pay and, instead, suggested she could pay him in another way. After she entered her vehicle to leave, the defendant forcibly thrust his fist into her vagina and began grabbing the victim’s vagina with his hand, while licking his lips and restraining her from leaving. Immediately after the assault the victim called and reported it to her husband who consoled and helped her to get medical attention at the hospital for her injuries.
The ensuing investigation of the sexual assault was conducted by the New York State Police at Highland. The trial requires the use of Court-certified interpreters for the defendant and some witnesses.
“This verdict is a testament to the tremendous courage of the victim, the response of the State Police, and our Office to build a strong case,” said Assistant District Attorney Luba Reznikova, who also serves as the Director of the Ulster County Intimate Partner Violence Intervention Task Force. “I hope this result sends a message regarding our commitment to all victims of sexual violence: we will do the work to hold abusers accountable to the fullest extent of the law.”
District Attorney Emmanuel C. Nneji commented, “I thank the jury for their selfless service and attention to the evidence in this case. I hope that this case sends a message to the community that every victim matters, regardless of background and language barriers. Those who believe, as demonstrated by this defendant, that they can violate others and get away with it for any reason, including immigration status, must be held to account.”
The trial was prosecuted by Assistant District Attorney Luba Reznikova and Senior Assistant District Attorney Cindy Murphy. Alixandro Peraza Varela was represented in the trial by Timothy Lawson and John Evans of the Ulster County Office of the Public Defender.
