NEW YORK (WCBS 880) – A man was sentenced to 50 years in state prison in Westchester on Tuesday for repeated sexual conduct with a child and rape, Westchester County District Attorney Miriam E. Rocah announced.
Virgilio Cruz, 48, was sentenced on October 25, to two consecutive 25-year sentences—following his September conviction.
“Today, this defendant was held to account for horrific crimes committed against a vulnerable child,” DA Rocah said. “We hope the victim, who was extraordinarily brave and testified in court, can begin their journey to healing and feeling safe.”
According to officials, in 2019, when the victim was 11-years-old, continuing into 2021, Cruz subjected the child victim to sexual intercourse repeatedly, in some cases while the victim was asleep.
The Yonkers Police Department arrested Cruz on September 23, 2021.
After a weeklong trial, he was found guilty on September 16 of rape in the first degree, course of sexual conduct against a child in the first degree, and rape in the second degree.
Cruz will also be subject to 20 years of post-release supervision and will be required to register as a sex offender after completing his prison sentence.
In a statement made to the court, the victim explained the impact of the defendant’s actions: “You ruined my childhood... I felt horrible for so long... I didn’t want to be around people. I was numb.... I never knew what you would do next or what more you were capable of... The two emotions I felt constantly were fear and sadness. You had no right to do what you did to me. After today, I won’t ever think of you again... After today, you are nothing to me.”
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