State Employee Pleads Guilty To Raping Girl At Suffolk Residential Facility

SUFFOLK COUNTY, NY — A Queens man employed as a youth support specialist admitted to raping a teenage girl at a state facility, Suffolk County District Attorney Raymond Tierney announced Friday.

Ovzie Cannon, 40, pleaded guilty to third-degree rape after he engaged in sexual intercourse with a 15-year-old girl who was a resident of the Brentwood Residential Center for Girls in Dix Hills during his employment, the DA said.

"This defendant's job was to provide support to vulnerable youth," Tierney said in a news release. "Instead, he exploited his position of trust to take advantage of a 15-year-old girl by drugging and sexually abusing her. My office will continue to vigorously prosecute those who prey upon children and adolescents."

Between January and February, Cannon was employed as a youth support specialist at the Brentwood Residential Center for Girls, a facility operated by the New York State Office of Children and Family Services, according to court documents. The facility serves female youth, typically between the ages of 12 and 18, who have been adjudicated as juvenile delinquents, the DA said. During that time, Cannon was assigned to monitor the room of the 15-year-old girl, officials said.

More than once, Cannon provided the girl with edibles, which are food products that contain cannabinoids, and then had sexual intercourse with her, authorities said.

Cannon pleaded guilty on Friday to third-degree rape, third-degree criminal sexual act, and endangering the welfare of a child.

He is due back in court for sentencing on Jan. 17. He is being represented by Michael Schillinger.