DA: Long Island Man Pleads Not Guilty to Terrorizing Ex-Girlfriends

A Hampton Bays man arrested in Pennsylvania last week by the U.S. Marshals Regional Fugitive Task Force pleaded not guilty to a 34-count indictment on Monday in Riverhead, according to Suffolk County District Attorney Thomas Spota.

Justin Suarez’s victims are two ex-girlfriends, one of whom he is charged with raping in August and December of last year, according to the DA.

The indictment also alleges Suarez, 27, stalked the woman, threatened her with a sledgehammer and shot a dog to death in her presence, the DA said.

“He told her that if she told anyone, he would kill her too,” Spota said. “We executed a search warrant and recovered the remains of the animal and two bullets. For that crime, the defendant is charged with a felony count of aggravated cruelty to animals.”

Suarez was arrested last Monday in the Poconos and charged with rape, second degree strangulation, coercion, attempted assault, criminal contempt, and cruelty to animals, among others, according to police.

The Southampton Town Police Department had issued a warrant for his arrest on Oct. 9.

Suffolk County Judge Barbara Kahn set cash bail at $500,000 cash, or $1 million bond.