LI Barber Indicted After Trying To Sexually Abuse Boy, 11: DA

RIVERHEAD, NY — A Riverhead barber was indicted Tuesday after he tried to sexually abuse an 11-year-old boy while his father was getting a haircut, Suffolk County District Attorney Ray Tierney said.

Hilario Hernandez de la Cruz, 35, of Riverhead, was indicted on charges including first-degree attempted criminal sexual act, Tierney said.

On July 10, the child and his father went to get haircuts at a barbershop owned by Hernandez de la Cruz in Riverhead, Tierney said. While the child’s father was getting a haircut, Hernandez de la Cruz reportedly proceeded to have alcoholic drinks with the child’s father, the DA said.

After several drinks, the boy’s father went into the bathroom, Tierney said. While Hernandez De La Cruz was alone with the boy, he repeatedly offered the boy increasing sums of money while
requesting inappropriate sexual acts with the boy, Tierney said.

Hernandez de la Cruz reportedly made sexually suggestive gestures and attempted to grab the child’s genitals, but the boy repeatedly pushed his hands away, Tierney said. The boy left the barbershop and called his mother to come pick him up, Tierney said.

After the boy told his mother what happened, she contacted the police; Hernandez de la Cruz was then arrested by the Riverhead Police Department on July 11, Tierney said. The boy's father was also arrested and charged with endangering the welfare of a child, a misdemeanor; his case is currently pending, Tierney said.

On July 25, 2023, Hernandez de la Cruz was arraigned on the indictment before County Court
Judge Karen M. Wilutis on charges of first-degree attempted criminal sexual act, a Class C violent felony; first-degree attempted sexual abuse, a Class E felony; third-degree criminal solicitation, a Class E felony; and endangering the welfare of a child, a Class A misdemeanor, Tierney said.

Judge Wilutis ordered Hernandez de la Cruz held on $75,000 cash, $150,000 bond, or $750,000
partially secured bond during the pendency of the case, Tierney said. If convicted of the top count, Hernandez de la Cruz faces up to 15 years in prison, followed by up to 15 years of post-release supervision, Tierney said.

He is due back in court on August 30, 2023, and is being represented by Michael Brown, Tierney said. Brown could not immediately be reached for comment.

"This defendant allegedly attempted to touch an 11-year-old boy inappropriately and offered the child money to satisfy his own sexual desires," Tierney said. "Thankfully, the victim knew what the defendant was allegedly asking him to do was wrong, and he left the shop to call for help. We ask anyone who has been victimized by this defendant, or may have information about other victims, to contact the Riverhead Police Department as soon as possible."