NEW YORK (1010 WINS) – A man was sentenced to five years in state prison for sexual abuse of an employee at a deli he owns in Ossining, Westchester County District Attorney Miriam E. Rocah announced on Tuesday.
Patrick Patierno, 54, was sentenced on August 8, with 10 years of post-release supervision, following his conviction after a trial in May.
Today's sentence should send a clear message that perpetrators of sexual abuse will be brought to justice and held accountable," DA Rocah said. "My office is committed to assisting victims who come forward."
At approximately 9:30 a.m., on January 14, 2021, Patierno entered the home of the victim, restrained and forcibly subjected her to sexual contact.
The Ossining Police Department arrested Patierno on January 15, 2021, following an investigation.
"Sexual abuse will not be tolerated especially when perpetrated by abusers in a position of authority who exploit their power," Rocah said.
After a two-week trial in May, a jury found Patierno guilty of Sexual Abuse in the First Degree, a felony, and Unlawful Imprisonment in the Second Degree, a misdemeanor.
Patierno will also be required to register as a sex offender after completing his prison sentence.
"My life is no longer the same…as much as I try to find myself to be who I was before, I can't…. I feel that every person who approaches me, all they want is to hurt me and come to me with bad intentions…. I'm tormented day by day by those thoughts," the victim said in a statement submitted to the court. "I wouldn't want anyone to go through what I went through because it's horrible, especially when you're afraid to speak up."
