Brewster Man Charged With Two Counts of Rape of Minor

On Tuesday, Sept. 9, New York State Police arrested Jorge Elisandro Cardona, 25, a Guatemalan citizen who lives in Brewster, New York, on two counts of Rape 3rd Degree, both Class E felonies.

New York State Police in Brewster received a Child Abuse Referral from the Mt. Kisco Police Department. An investigation revealed that the 15-year-old victim traveled to Brewster with Cardona on a number of different occasions. Police said that Cardona brought the victim to a local motel where they engaged in sexual relations. Due to the victim’s age, she was unable to consent.

In the State of New York the age of consent is 17. Sex with a person under 17 is a Class E felony if the perpetrator is at least 21.

The Law against Sexual Violence, Exploitation, and Trafficking in Persons was passed in February 2009, and provides sentences ranging from 13 to 24 years in prison, depending on the victim’s age, for sex with a minor. In Guatemala the age of consent is 18.

Cardona was arraigned in the Town of Southeast Court and was remanded to Putnam County Jail in lieu of $25,000 cash bail or $50,000 bond.

New York State Police photo.