On June 23, former Peekskill police officer Michael Agovino, pictured above, was sentenced to seven years in prison for repeated sexual abuse of a female victim. In March of 2022, Agovino pled guilty to sexually abusing a woman he threatened with arrest while he was on duty on multiple occasions between 2019 and 2020.
Westchester District Attorney Mimi Rocah held a press conference after Agovino was sentenced. Rocah’s office had asked for a 15 year sentence in prison for Agovino, but Judge Barry Warhit agreed to a 7 year prison term, 15 years of probation, and the requirement that Agovino register as a sex offender.
“We believe a longer sentence was warranted, but we are pleased that he will be serving a lengthy prison sentence,” said DA Rocah. “He (Agovino) violated the trust of the Peekskill community, abused his authority as a police officer and violated his oath. I hope this case sends a strong message to any victim that no one is above the law. “
One of the prosecutors in Rocah’s office who was in the courtroom for the sentencing said that while Agovino expresses a number of regrets, he never said sorry to the victim for what he did. And that lack of apology had a tremendouse impact on the victim.
Rocah also praised the Peekskill Police Department for cooperating in the investigation and arrest of Agovino. Peekskill Police Chief Leo Dylewsk said, “this is not a reflection on the men and women who serve in the Peeksill Police Department. We were appaulled when we found out and worked with the District Attorney’s office. He got what he deserved.”
Rocah said that the sentencing of Agovino was important because abuse by law enforcement, “can erod the public trust. I would like to say thank you to the victim for her bravery. And the victims statement can be used as evidence, and I would encourage victims to come forward, we are here for you.”
On two occasions in July 2019, Agovino, while on duty as a police officer, unlawfully entered the victim’s Peekskill home under the pretext that he was conducting an investigation where she was a suspect. During the first visit, Agovino demanded the victim remove all of her clothing under the pretense of conducting a body search, and then sexually abused her. On the second visit, Agovino returned to the home, threatened the victim with arrest unless she removed her clothing or performed a sex act on him, and again sexually abused her.
Over the next five months, on three separate occasions, while on duty, Agovino unlawfully entered or attempted to enter the victim’s home for his own sexual gratification at the expense of the victim, and in one instance sexually abused her. On the last date, in January 2020, unbeknownst to Agovino, the victim audio recorded their interaction, and provided that recording the District Attorney’s Office.
Investigators with the District Attorney’s Office arrested Agovino on February 15, 2020, following an investigation, in collaboration with the Peekskill Police Department. Agovino resigned from the Peekskill Police Department in 2021.
