Rapist Repeatedly Assaulted 5-year-old: Rockland County DA

NEW CITY, NY — Luiz Acevedo-Lopez of Spring Valley, guilty of the repeated sexual assault and rape of a 5-year-old girl, was sentenced to 36 years to life in state prison. The 19-year-old was called "a dangerous predator" by prosecutors. A resident of 33 South Main St., he was convicted on Dec. 7, 2016 of:

• One count of Predatory Sexual Assault Against a Child, a class “A-II” Felony
• One count of Rape in the First Degree , a class “B” Felony
• One count of Criminal Sexual Act in the First Degree, a class “B” Felony
• Two counts of Sexual Abuse in the First Degree, class “D” Felonies
• One count of Endangering the Welfare of a Child, a class “A” Misdemeanor

“The defendant was a friend of the family of the victim and he used that friendship to take advantage of an innocent child for his own sexual gratification,” said Rockland County District Attorney Thomas P. Zugibe in the announcement. “The lengthy sentence imposed by the Court ensures that this predator will spend several decades in state prison, where he will not victimize any other children.”

Between Jan. 1, 2016 and March 31, 2016, Acevedo-Lopez repeatedly sexually assaulted a 5-year-old girl with whom he had a familial relationship. The abuse took place in Spring Valley.

Trial testimony included that of the victim, who is now six. The jury was also shown Acevedo-Lopez’s videotaped statement to Spring Valley detectives.

Zugibe praised the little girl's strength and the support from members of the highly-skilled Rockland County District Attorney’s Office Special Victims Unit.

“The victim demonstrated incredible courage by coming forward and testifying truthfully to the horrific things the defendant did to her over several months," he said.

Supervising Assistant District Attorney Jennifer S. Parietti and Former Senior Assistant District Attorney John W. McGowan prosecuted the case.