DA: New Rochelle Man Indicted in Rape of Developmentally Disabled Woman

Thirty-seven-year-old Fitton Telesford, of New Rochelle, was indicted Wednesday on 13 counts of rape and related charges in connection with the alleged sexual assault of a 39-year-old developmentally and physically disabled woman, Westchester County District Attorney Janet DiFiore announced.

The incident occurred in early February of this year when Telesford, using a fake name, approached the woman at a Shop Rite grocery store in New Rochelle where she was a store bagger.

According to DiFiore:

During her lunch break, Telesford, who identified himself under an assumed name told her he would take her out for a slice of pizza.

Once in his car, the defendant drove her a short distance away to an indoor shopping center parking lot.

He told her to get in the back seat of the vehicle. He then forcibly raped and sexually assaulted her.

The defendant drove her back to Shop Rite where she reported the attack.

Telesford was charged with:

• one count of Rape in the First Degree, a class “B” Felony,
• one count of Rape in the Second Degree, a class “D” Felony,
• one count of Rape in Third Degree, a class “E” Felony,
• three counts of Criminal Sexual Act in the First Degree, a class “B” Felony,
• three counts of Criminal Sexual Act in the Second Degree, a class “D” Felony,
• three counts of Criminal Sexual Act in the Third Degree, a class “E” Felony and
• one count of Sexual Abuse in the First Degree, a class “D” Felony.

DNA evidence identified Telesford as the assailant and corroborated the sexual assaults, according to DiFiore, and he was arrested on May 4.

He was remanded to the Westchester County Jail in Valhalla, and is next scheduled to appear in court on Sept. 1.

Telesford faces a maximum of 25 years in prison.

Assistant District Attorney Michelle Lopez, Deputy Bureau Chief of the Sex Crimes Bureau, is prosecuting the case.

Photo: Fitton Telesford. Photo credit: Westchester County District Attorney’s office.