Westchester County District Attorney Miriam E. Rocah announced that 31-year-old Mount Vernon resident and baseball coach Robert Pope was sentenced on Sept. 22, 2022, to the maximum term of four years in state prison for engaging in sexual activity with a 16-year-old.
“This defendant was someone who was entrusted to care and mentor young people, and he egregiously violated the trust of the victim, the victim’s family and the entire community,” DA Rocah said. “Today’s sentencing serves as notice that there will be no sanctuary in Westchester for anyone who preys upon minors or children – our most vulnerable of victims. Our office is committed to helping survivors of sexual abuse while working to ensure abusers are fully held accountable.”
In March 2022, the defendant pled guilty to Criminal Sexual Act in the Third Degree, a felony, in Westchester County Court. In accordance with his sentence, the defendant will also be subject to 10 years of post-release supervision and will be required to register as a sex offender.
On April 11, 2021, at approximately 2:13 p.m., the defendant communicated with the victim through text messages and expressed his desire to see the victim. The defendant then traveled to the victim’s location, where the defendant subjected the victim to sexual activity.
Following the defendant’s arrest by the Mount Vernon Police Department on June 15, 2021, the Westchester County District Attorney’s Office, in conjunction with the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of New York, conducted an investigation. As a result of that investigation, the defendant is currently facing additional federal charges.
The case was before Judge Barry Warhit, and the sentence was imposed by Judge James McCarty, in Westchester County Court. The case was prosecuted by Child Abuse Bureau Chief Christine Hatfield and Assistant District Attorney Marissa Morra-Wynn.
The public is encouraged to report any tips or incidents of sexual assault or child abuse to the Westchester County District Attorney’s Office at (914) 995-TIPS (8477). Language assistance is available.
