New City, NY – An Orange County man has been sentenced to state prison after pleading guilty to sexually abusing two children over an eight-year period while living in Rockland County, according to the Rockland County District Attorney’s Office.
James Valentine, 58, of Cornwall-on-Hudson, was sentenced Monday, July 27, in Rockland County Court after previously pleading guilty to one count of first-degree course of sexual conduct against a child and one count of second-degree course of sexual conduct against a child.
According to prosecutors, Valentine was sentenced to 10 years in state prison for the first-degree conviction and five years for the second-degree conviction. The sentences will be served concurrently, meaning they will run at the same time, resulting in a total prison sentence of 10 years.
Following his release from prison, Valentine will also serve five years of post-release supervision. In addition, the court issued full stay-away orders of protection for both victims, and Valentine will be required to register as a sex offender under New York law.
The charges stem from an investigation conducted by the New York State Police that led to Valentine’s arrest in July 2025. Authorities said the investigation uncovered allegations involving the sexual abuse of multiple underage boys during the time Valentine lived in Valley Cottage.
According to the Rockland County District Attorney’s Office, the offenses occurred between Feb. 5, 2008, and Feb. 5, 2016, at Valentine’s former residence in Valley Cottage.
Prosecutors said the abuse involved two boys who were 8 and 12 years old when the abuse began. Court records indicate the abuse continued over several years and included multiple acts of sexual conduct involving both victims.
According to prosecutors, one victim was subjected to repeated acts of oral sexual conduct during the period covered by the charges.
Valentine ultimately entered guilty pleas to two felony counts rather than proceeding to trial. Under New York law, first-degree course of sexual conduct against a child applies to repeated acts of sexual conduct committed over a specified period involving a child younger than 13 years old by an offender who is at least 18 years old. Second-degree course of sexual conduct against a child involves repeated sexual conduct with a child under circumstances defined by state law.
The sentencing concludes the criminal proceedings against Valentine in Rockland County stemming from the investigation announced last year.
In addition to the prison sentence, post-release supervision, and orders of protection, New York’s Sex Offender Registration Act requires Valentine to register as a sex offender upon his release from custody. Registered offenders are subject to reporting requirements and ongoing monitoring in accordance with state law.
The New York State Police investigated the case, while the Rockland County District Attorney’s Office prosecuted it.
Authorities have not released additional information about the victims in order to protect their identities.
The District Attorney’s Office did not announce any additional pending charges related to the investigation.