Spring Valley, NY – A 44-year-old Suffern man is facing multiple felony charges after an 18-year-old woman told Spring Valley police that she was repeatedly sexually assaulted when she was a child, according to authorities.
The Spring Valley Police Department began investigating the allegations on Aug. 12, when the woman reported that an adult man had sexually assaulted her on multiple occasions approximately 10 years earlier, when she was 8 years old. Police have not publicly identified the woman.
During the investigation, detectives identified Freddy Chicaiza-Quinde, 44, of Suffern, as the alleged assailant, according to police. Chicaiza-Quinde was arrested on Aug. 19 with assistance from the FBI New York Westchester Safe Streets Task Force.
Police charged Chicaiza-Quinde with predatory sexual assault against a child, four counts of first-degree rape, first-degree criminal sex act, first-degree course of sexual conduct against a child and five counts of endangering the welfare of a child.
The charges are accusations, and Chicaiza-Quinde has not been convicted of the alleged offenses.
Following his arrest, Chicaiza-Quinde was arraigned in Spring Valley Justice Court before Judge Mellion and initially remanded to the Rockland County Jail, according to police.
Subsequent reporting indicates Chicaiza-Quinde later returned to court, where bail was set at $100,000 cash, $150,000 bond or $150,000 partially secured bond. He subsequently posted bail and was released from custody.
The case stems from allegations involving incidents that the woman told investigators occurred when she was a young child. Authorities have not publicly disclosed additional details about the circumstances surrounding the alleged assaults, including their exact locations or the relationship between Chicaiza-Quinde and the woman.
New York law includes several different felony offenses covering allegations of sexual conduct involving children. Predatory sexual assault against a child is among the most serious sex offenses under state law. The specific charges filed in a criminal case depend on factors that can include the alleged victim’s age, the accused person’s age, the conduct alleged and other circumstances.
The filing of criminal charges does not establish that a defendant committed an offense. Prosecutors are required to prove the charges beyond a reasonable doubt in court, and Chicaiza-Quinde is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.
The arrest was publicly announced by Spring Valley police on Aug. 24, several days after Chicaiza-Quinde was taken into custody. The case remains part of the criminal court process in Rockland County.
Police are asking anyone who may have information related to the investigation to contact the Spring Valley Police Department at 845-356-7400 or by email at tips@villagespringvalley.org.
Authorities have not indicated whether investigators believe there may be additional alleged victims. The request for information remains open as police continue to seek information that could be relevant to the case.