Westchester County District Attorney Susan Cacace announced that a painter-for-hire in Peekskill pleaded guilty on September 3 to Rape in the First Degree, a class B felony, for raping an 11-year-old girl in 2024.
Anselmo Yambay Pena, 60, of Peekskill, was promised a sentence of 17 years in state prison in exchange for admitting to his criminal conduct, among other conditions.
A sentencing hearing is scheduled for Oct. 7 before Judge Robert Prisco. Pena remains in custody at the Westchester County Jail.
DA Cacace said: “I can only imagine the grief and horror experienced by the victim in this case because of this defendant’s depravity. A guilty plea now provides her and her family with finality, without having to subject her to the difficult process of trial preparation. I am humbled by her courage and resilience in the face of this disturbing abuse, and my office will continue to provide her with supportive services.”
On Feb. 15, 2024, the defendant was hired to paint apartments at a residential building in Peekskill. In one apartment belonging to the victim’s family, the defendant raped the victim, who was then 11 years old.
The investigation was conducted by the Peekskill Police Department.
The case is being prosecuted by Senior Assistant District Attorney Stephanie Baehr of the Child and Elder Abuse Bureau.
