SPRING VALLEY MAN SENTENCED TO 36 YEARS TO LIFE IN PRISON FOR RAPE AND PREDATORY SEXUAL ASSAULT AGAINST A CHILD

DA’S PRESS RELEASE

Rockland County District Attorney Thomas P. Zugibe today announced that Luiz Acevedo-Lopez (DOB 08/21/97) of 33 South Main Street, Spring Valley, New York was sentenced to 36 years to life in state prison on his conviction to all six counts of the indictment in the repeated sexual assault and rape of a five-year-old girl.

Acevedo-Lopez was convicted on December 7, 2016 of:

• • One count of Predatory Sexual Assault Against a Child, a class “A-II” Felony
• • One count of Rape in the First Degree , a class “B” Felony
• • One count of Criminal Sexual Act in the First Degree, a class “B” Felony
• • Two counts of Sexual Abuse in the First Degree, class “D” Felonies
• • One count of Endangering the Welfare of a Child, a class “A” Misdemeanor

“The defendant was a friend of the family of the victim and he used that friendship to take advantage of an innocent child for his own sexual gratification,” said District Attorney Zugibe. “The lengthy sentence imposed by the Court ensures that this predator will spend several decades in state prison, where he will not victimize any other children.”

Between January 1, 2016 and March 31, 2016, Acevedo-Lopez repeatedly sexually assaulted a five-year-old girl with whom he had a familial relationship. The abuse took place in the Village of Spring Valley.

Trial testimony included that of the victim, who is now six-years-old. The jury was also shown the defendant’s videotaped statement to Spring Valley detectives.

Zugibe praised the victims’ strength and the support from members of the highly-skilled Rockland County District Attorney’s Office Special Victims Unit. “The victim demonstrated incredible courage by coming forward and testifying truthfully to the horrific things the defendant did to her over several months.”

Supervising Assistant District Attorney Jennifer S. Parietti and Former Senior Assistant District Attorney John W. McGowan prosecuted the case.

The testimony of the child was supported by Lily, the Special Victims Unit therapy dog, which escorted the girl to the courtroom.

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Note to Editors: Press release e-version posted on RocklandCountyDA.com