Inside the Sleepy Hollow Courthouse: Accused Rapist Gets Jail Time; New Charge for Bryant

Here's a look at what happened during Sleepy Hollow Court's August 30 session. Court is in session every Monday at 3 p.m.

Rape Case Comes to a Close

Carlos Guartazaca, 23, appeared in handcuffs to answer to a charge of Rape in the Third Degree.

Assistant District Attorney Robert Docherty said the District Attorney's office had spoken with the complainant, a minor, and her family, and advised the charge be reduced to Endangering the Welfare of a Child.

After a long discussion with his attorney, Guartazaca, who also has an immigration violation pending, pled guilty to the reduced charge. He admitted to conducting intercourse with a person under the age of 17 in January.

He was sentenced to 90 days in county jail, which includes the time he has spent since his arrest, served with a five-year permanent order of protection on behalf of the victim and given a fine.

New Jersey Man Will Receive Hearing

Thomas May, 38, of Middletown, New Jersey, appeared to answer to a charge of Violating Probation, stemming from a May 19 arrest.

May's attorney, Docherty and May's probation officer held a long, private and often heated discussion regarding the matter.

A hearing for the charge was scheduled for September 20 at 1 p.m. May must continue to report to his probation officer in the meantime.

Video Surveillance Still Unseen by All Parties in Robbery Case

Desmond Burnette, 20, and Devin Dominguez, 21, are charged with Robbery in the Second Degree and Assault in the Third Degree following a May 3 arrest.

Docherty indicated a supervisor in the District Attorney's office still needs to view video surveillance footage from the alleged robbery before the case can move forward. There have been delays in the past due to the video.

The case was adjourned until September 13.

New Charge Controversial in Bryant Case

Anthony Ray Macario Bryant, 33, is charged with Menacing in the Third Degree and Criminal Possession of a Weapon in the Fourth Degree, following a May 15 arrest, when he allegedly attacked his girlfriend with a weapon.

The charges were adjourned until September 27 so all parties could correspond with the Domestic Violence Bureau, but Bryant was recalled on a new charge later on.

Docherty reported the Sleepy Hollow Police Department requested a warrant for Bryant based on a Contempt charge.

According to police reports, Bryant allegedly called the woman who received an order of protection from the court following the initial arrest and said, "B***h, you think this is over?" just hours after the order was issued. The order prohibited Bryant from making contact with the specified party.

Based on this information, Docherty requested bail for Bryant, but his attorney vehemently refuted that request, stating Bryant's court attendance record was near perfect, and he returned to court when he was recalled without any resistance.

His attorney further claimed the alleged phone call took place before the order of protection was served, so the charge was unrelated.

"I will not set any bail," said Village Justice Andres Valdespino.

Bryant entered a plea of not guilty to the Contempt charge and will return on September 27 to answer to all three charges.

Lowered Plea Accepted, Trial Set in Sosa Case

Carlos Sosa, 26, was arrested on May 30, 2009 on a charge of Criminal Mischief in the Third Degree and then on September 24, 2009 on a charge of Criminal Possession of Stolen Property in the Fifth Degree.

He was ordered to pay restituion in the amount of $816.26 in June of 2009, but has not paid the amount to date.

Today, Sosa pled guilty to a reduced charged of Criminal Mischief and his bail was exonerated. His attorney indicated the bail money would be used to pay the restitution.

The complaining party involved in the Criminal Mischief case appeared in court and said he was satisfied with the proceedings, and did not want an order of protection to be imposed on his behalf. He indicated Sosa was now "friendly" towards him.

A non-jury trial was set to address the Criminal Possession of Stolen Property charge on September 27 at 3 p.m.