On July 12, Westchester County District Attorney Miriam E. Rocah announced that 27-year-old Christopher Nunez was sentenced to the maximum term of four years in prison for the ‘statutory rape’ of a 15-year-old in North Salem (“Victim-1”). This sentence will run concurrently to the 26-year federal prison sentence that was announced on July 5, 2022, for enticing Victim-1 and two additional minors to engage in sexual activity in New York, Kentucky and New Jersey. The two additional victims were discovered by federal authorities after a referral from the Westchester County District Attorney’s Office.
“The bravery of this 15-year-old victim, who came forward to report this crime, resulted in my
office collaborating with the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of New York,
which culminated in justice for two additional victims,” DA Rocah said. “This case is another
stark reminder of the dangers of online sexual predators who manipulate minors. Our office is
available to help parents and families better protect minors from predatory online dangers, and
will hold accountable to the fullest extent of the law those who prey on children.”
On May 1, 2021, Nunez traveled from his hometown of Miami, Florida, to North Salem, New
York, and engaged in sexual activity with Victim-1. Prior to the incident, the defendant
communicated online with the victim for approximately three months and persuaded the victim
to meet with him to engage in sexual activity.
The New York State Police arrested Nunez shortly after the incident, which led to a further joint
investigation with the Special Prosecutions Division of the Westchester County District
Attorney’s Office. In May 2021, the District Attorney’s Office referred the case to the U.S.
Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of New York to expand the investigation to potential
victims beyond the jurisdiction of Westchester County.
In October 2021, the defendant pled guilty to Rape in the Third Degree, a felony, in Westchester
County Court. Upon his release from prison, he will be required to register as a sex offender.
DA Rocah commended the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of New York, the
Federal Bureau of Investigation, the New York State Police, the Westchester County Safe Streets
Task Force and the Special Prosecutions Division for their work on this vital investigation.
www.westchesterda.net
The case was before Judge Susan Cacace in Westchester County Court, and was prosecuted by
Assistant District Attorney Charlotte Gudis of the Special Prosecutions Division.
