Correction Officer Sexually Abused Boy For a Decade: DA

SOUTHAMPTON, NY — A Suffolk County correction officer charged with sex abuse and illegal possession of firearms was arraigned Friday at Southampton Justice Court.

Suffolk County District Attorney Timothy D. Sini and the Southampton Town Police Department announced the arrest of Robert Weis, 55, of Hampton Bays, who was charged with first degree course of sexual conduct against a child, a violent felony; three counts of criminal possession of a firearm, a felony; fourth degree criminal possession of stolen property; and official misconduct, a misdemeanor, Sini said.

Weis, who has been employed as a Suffolk County correction officer in Yaphank since 1995, appeared before Judge Barbara Wilson wearing a green jacket and jeans, his hair close shaven. He is represented by attorney James O'Shea of Southampton and pleaded not guilty.

According to Assistant District Attorney Laurie Moroff, in 1996, Weis befriended a child who was 7 years old and "sexually abused him from" the ages of 7 to 16, engaging in "touching" and sodomy, she said.

The child, now a 29-year-old man, did not report the abuse until March when he came forward at the Southampton Town Police Department, Moroff said.

“There are still parts of this investigation that need to be examined, such as his motive in stockpiling a large amount of armament, but most concerning to us is the possibility of other victims,” Southampton Town Police Chief Steven Skrynecki said. “Because of his history, including other allegations of sexual abuse, and the fact that he had access to so many vulnerable people, it certainly gives rise to concern that this victim might not be his only victim."

Skrynecki said Weis has five adopted sons and fostered others. The boys, he said, "came typically from broken homes or were mentally challenged individuals — very vulnerable."

Weis is only facing one sexual abuse charge, a felony; there are no statute of limitations on felony charges, Moroff said. Moroff added that other young boys, including childhood friends of the man who came forward and his older brother, reported sleepovers in Weis basement with "sexual abuse" and those allegations are being investigated.

Weis' five adopted boys are now aged 19 to 26; he was a foster parent to others, all boys, for 15 years, she said.

In addition, Moroff said, Weis is facing a pending felony charge in South Carolina for "the alleged sexual abuse of a 13-year old boy;" the incident allegedly happened while he was visiting family in 2016.

When he was arrested Thursday, he had a 12-year old boy in the car, Moroff said. He was found with three handguns; forensic analysis on his electronics is ongoing, she said, adding that DVDs, including possible pornography, were found in the basement, including one labeled, "Age is just a number." Forensic analysis of Weis' electronics is ongoing, she said.

Moroff asked for $1 million cash bail or $3 million bond.

O'Shea said Weis has been employed as a correction officer for 30 years and owns his own home; he served in Iraq, as a member of the Army Reserves, and the National Guard. He currently has four of his four adopted young men living at his home but none has filed a complaint, O'Shea said.

O'Shea said there was a reason for a statute of limitations, adding that the charges involved incidents that occurred almost 20 years ago. "It's almost impossible to remember where I was a year ago, never mind where I was 20 years ago," he said.

His client, O'Shea said, also has "significant ties to the community;" he asked that Weis be given the opportunity to post bail and defend himself, suggesting a bail of $50,000.

Bail was set at $1 million cash or $3 million bond, with Weis' next court date set for April 9.

After the arraignment, O'Shea said his client is facing "very serious" allegations, but said he was reading the charges and allegations for the first time; he said he needed to speak to his client, who had pleaded not guilty, as well as the district attorney to see type of evidence they had and what their future plans were. Weis had a nephew present in the courtroom, O'Shea said.

O'Shea added that his client would not likely make bail.

Reflecting on the case, O'Shea said: "I realize that child abuse is a serious problem and sometimes memories are suppressed, but trying to defend something that happened 20 years ago is really, really difficult. It's also really difficult to prosecute so it's a double edged sword."

“This is an individual who routinely abused his position of power, in both his official capacity as a correction officer and as an adult who was an authority figure for children,” Sini said. “He violated the trust placed in him by those close to him, both professionally and personally. At this time, we are investigating other possible instances of abuse by this defendant and believe there could be more victims.”

“There are still parts of this investigation that need to be examined, such as his motive in stockpiling a large amount of armament, but most concerning to us is the possibility of other victims,” Southampton Town Police Chief Steven Skrynecki said. “Because of his history, including other allegations of sexual abuse, and the fact that he had access to so many vulnerable people, it certainly gives rise to concern that this victim might not be his only victim.”

Skrynecki said the boys Weis "fostered or adopted came typically from broken homes or were mentally challenged individuals — very vulnerable."

Sini and Skrynecki urged anyone who was victimized by Weis or has information regarding the alleged abuse should contact the Southampton Town Police Department’s detective division at 631-702-2230.

Sini said a search warrant executed at Weis' home; he was found with the handguns, 32 long rifles — and more than 50,000 rounds of ammunition. He was also found with stolen property including bulletproof vests, handcuffs, EMT equipment and DVDs which are being examined to see if they contain child porn. "There are certainly indications that it does," Sini said.

Following his arrest in 2016, Weis was placed on modified duty working as a quartermaster for the sheriff’s office and had access to the office’s uniforms, gear and other official property, Sini said.

If convicted of the top charge, Weis faces a maximum sentence of 25 years, Sini said.

The investigation is ongoing.

Suffolk County Undersheriff Steven J. Kuehhas said Weis has remained employed after the South Carolina charges; termination would be sought but the process can be lengthy due to civil service protections, he added.