NEW CITY, N.Y. — A 20-year-old Suffern man has been sentenced to 14 years in state prison following his conviction in the sexual assault of an 11-year-old girl, according to the Rockland County District Attorney’s Office.
Willmer Loja Aroca was sentenced in Rockland County Court by Judge David M. Ascher after pleading guilty to one count of first-degree rape. As part of the sentence, Aroca will also be required to register as a sex offender.
Prosecutors said the defendant first came into contact with the victim through Fortnite, an online video game, and later continued communicating with her through Snapchat. The case stems from events that occurred in the early hours of January 14, 2025, when authorities said Aroca arranged for the child to be transported to his home using a ride-share service.
Shortly after midnight, the victim’s mother reported her daughter missing to the Spring Valley Police Department, triggering an active search. Authorities later determined that the child was at the defendant’s residence during that time.
Later that morning, prosecutors said the defendant arranged additional transportation that dropped him off at Suffern High School and left the child near her elementary school. The victim then contacted her mother, who brought her to the Spring Valley Police Department, where the incident was reported.
In a statement, Rockland County District Attorney Thomas E. Walsh II said the guilty plea ensured accountability while sparing the victim from having to testify in open court. He also acknowledged the cooperation of the child and her mother during the investigation.
The case was investigated jointly by the Suffern Police Department and the Spring Valley Police Department and was prosecuted by Executive Assistant District Attorney Kristin Tirino.
Court officials said the sentence reflects the severity of the crime and the age of the victim.