KINGSTON, NY—On October 8, 2024, Alixandro Peraza Varela, age 45, of New Paltz, was sentenced in Ulster County Court to seven years in state prison with ten years of post-release supervision by Honorable Bryan E. Rounds for his conviction of Sexual Abuse in the First Degree, a class D-violent felony. This is the maximum sentence provided by law for such level sex offense. He was also sentenced to one year for his conviction of Unlawful Imprisonment, a misdemeanor. Varela was convicted on July 19, 2024 of these crimes following a five-day jury trial. The Sex Abuse conviction requires mandatory registration with the New York State Sex Offender Registry.
On February 24, 2023, Alixandro Peraza Varela sexually assaulted an adult female victim in her personal vehicle in the Town of Gardiner. The victim had called the defendant, a family friend, for help when her vehicle became stuck in the mud. Once they dislodged her vehicle defendant declined the victim’s offer to pay and suggested, instead, to be paid in another way. He then forcibly grabbed 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 prompt 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 required the use of Court-certified interpreters for the defendant and some witnesses.
At sentencing, the victim, who also testified at trial, provided impact statement detailing the tremendous physical and psychological trauma and financial costs that have impacted her family since her assault.
“I thank the Court for recognizing and considering the trauma caused by the defendant to the victim and her family in imposing the maximum sentence allowable under the law,” said Senior Assistant District Attorney Luba Reznikova, who also serves as the Director of the Ulster County Intimate Partner Violence Intervention Task Force. “Unfortunately, the financial and psychological burdens of sexual assault are all too common for the victims of these heinous crimes, and no sentence can return this victim to who she was before the assault.”
District Attorney Emmanuel C. Nneji commented, “I commend the victim for her bravery in reporting the assault and testifying in the trial; same goes for her husband, I am proud of the work done by the ADAs in front of the jury to vindicate the dignity of the victim.”
The case was prosecuted by ADA Reznikova and General Felonies Bureau Chief Cindy Murphy. Alixandro Peraza Varela was represented by Timothy Lawson of the Ulster County Office of the Public Defender.
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