Rape Charged Dropped Against Southampton Businessman; No Jail Time For Steven Mezynieski: Lawyer

SOUTHAMPTON, NY — A Southampton businessman charged with sexually abusing a teenage girl will not have to serve jail time after he accepted a plea deal and the rape charge was dropped, his attorney said.

According to Eddie Burke Jr., attorney for Steven Mezynieski, his client was ultimately charged with third degree sexual abuse, a "B" misdemeanor.

Burke Jr. added that it was stipulated that the young woman in question was over the age of 18.

"The bold allegations that contained serious felony charges were thoroughly investigated by the District Attorney and were dismissed," Burke Jr. said.

Mezynieski, he said, will serve no jail time, will not have to register as a sex offender, will have no conditions and no trial. He will serve one year's probation, Burke Jr. said.

Mezynieski appeared in Suffolk County Criminal Court Wednesday before Judge Barbara Kahn and accepted the plea, Burke Jr. said.

According to Suffolk County District Attorney Thomas Spota, Mezynieski pleaded guilty to third degree sexual abuse, a misdemeanor, after over a year of investigation. He was sentenced to one year of probation with alcohol and narcotic conditions and a permanent stay away order of protection was issued and will be in effect for two years; he waived his right to appeal on the record and in writing, Spota said.

Responding to the decision, Burke Jr. said, "To start a case with such bold and brazen accusations, where my client faced up to 25 years in jail — and to have the DA's office fully investigate the matter" with a B misdemeanor result "is extremely important to point out. Things are not always what they seem."

Mezynieski, Burke said, "is a good man, with a good family. This result is supported by his family — to end this matter and move on."

In August, 2016, New York State Police in Farmingdale announced the arrest of Mezynieski. He was charged with first-degree rape, a felony, and first-degree criminal sex act, a felony, police said.

The charges were 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 at the time.

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

Later, Sag Harbor-based attorney Burke Jr. said the charges filed against his client — charges of first-degree rape and first-degree criminal sex act, felonies — were not accurate.

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.

In August, 2016, 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.

Court documents filed in a separate civil suit said that Mezynieski was accused of raping and abusing the young woman for a period of three years, and, in one incident, allegedly tied her up with rope without her consent in a greenhouse on his property during the alleged sexual abuse.