Spring Valley man pleads guilty to felony sexual abuse of child before pre-trial hearings begin

Fresnel Paul, 60 of Spring Valley, New York has pled guilty to Course of Sexual Conduct Against a Child in the First Degree (Sec. 130.75 (1)(b) Penal Law) before the Honorable Kevin J. Russo in  Rockland County Court on December 3, 2024.  

Beginning in 2018, the defendant routinely sexually abused a female under the age of  thirteen in the Village of Spring Valley. The repeated sexual abuse consisted of sexual  intercourse. The defendant also sexually abused a female under the age of eleven.  

District Attorney Thomas E. Walsh II said, “The actions of the defendant in this case are sickening. There is no sentence that can undo the damage and trauma that was caused to the victim by the defendant. My hope is that the defendant pleading guilty and taking responsibility for his horrific actions, facing a 20-year prison sentence and having to register as a sex offender, brings justice and some closure to the victims.” 

This investigation was conducted by the Spring Valley Police Department with assistance from the Rockland County District Attorney’s Office Special Victims Unit.  

The Rockland County District Attorney’s Office Special Victims unit is staffed by attorneys and investigators with specialized knowledge and training necessary for overcoming the challenging dynamics associated with these types of crimes. The RCDAO SVU works closely with local law enforcement, victim advocates, Child Protective Services (CPS), and other professionals employed in these specialized areas.  

Paul pled guilty immediately prior to the start of pre-trial hearings. The defendant is  facing a 20-year state prison sentence, followed by a 5-year period of post-release supervision, and he will have to register as a sex offender. He is scheduled to be  sentenced on March 5, 2025. 

Supervising Assistant District Attorney Emily McNiff prosecuted the case.