Attorney for Steven Mezynieski Says Charges Need Clarification

ORIENT, NY — The attorney representing an Orient farm owner and businessman said the charges filed against his client — charges of first degree rape and first degree criminal sex act, felonies — are not accurate.

On Friday, Sag Harbor based attorney Edward Burke Jr. said the charges need to be clarified by New York State Police, who filed them under an incorrect subsection of the New York State penal code, he said.

According to Burke, the charges he arraigned his client on are "inapplicable to an underage situation."

Instead, Burke said Steven Mezynieski's charges, under the statute of "forcible compulsion" meaning "against the alleged victim's consent," had "nothing to do with age."

Burke said Mezynieski was charged with section 130.50 of the New York State penal code, first degree criminal sex act, and said that his client was facing a charge of "forcible compulsion. It has nothing to do with underage."

Burke said the same was true of the charge of first degree rape, section 130.35 of the penal code, with "refers to rape by forcible compulsion."

The public information officer at the New York State Police in Farmingdale was not immediately available for comment.

On Thursday, Mezynieski was charged with first-degree rape, police said.

New York State Police in Farmingdale Thursday announced the arrest of Mezynieski, 44, of Orient.

Mezynieski was charged with first-degree rape, a felony, and first-degree criminal sex act, a felony, police said.

The charges are related to Mezynieski allegedly engaging in sexual relations with a female victim over the course of about three years, which started when the victim was under the age of consent, police said.

The investigation was conducted by members of the State Police Troop L Major Crimes Unit.

The State Police ask that any other possible victims contact them at 631-756-3300. All calls will remain confidential.

Mezynieski was arraigned before Judge Brian Hughes in Southold Town Justice Court and released on $25,000 bail, police said.

Mezynieski is the owner of Driftwood Farms in Orient. He also owns Steven Mezynieski Inc., an excavation services company in Southampton. He was before the Riverhead Town Board in 2013 over plans for a farm on Sound Avenue in Calverton.

Burke said he entered "strenuous not guilty pleas" on his client's behalf.

"I look forward to addressing this matter in the appropriate court and clearing my client's name," Burke said.

Mezynieksi is next slated to appear in Southold Town Justice Court on Aug. 26.