FORT EDWARD, NY (The Olean Times-Herald) – A farm worker who is in the U.S. illegally pleaded guilty Friday in Washington County Court for sexually assaulting a young girl in Salem last summer.
Ricardo Barajas-Suarez, 33, pleaded guilty to third-degree criminal sexual act, a felony, in connection with sexual assaults of a 14-year-old girl last July.
He agreed to a plea deal that includes a three-year state prison term to be followed by 10 years on parole. The guilty plea came just days before a jury trial was to start.
Washington County District Attorney Tony Jordan praised the girl’s courage in cooperating with police and prosecutors.
“Thankfully she was a brave young girl and with the work of the State Police and Washington County dispatchers, we were able to hold him accountable without her having to testify again,” he said.
The teen testified before the grand jury that indicted Barajas-Suarez.
Barajas-Suarez’ lawyer, Washington County Public Defender Michael Mercure, could not be reached for comment Friday.
Barajas-Suarez was working at a farm in southern Washington County and was accused of forcing the teen to have sexual contact at a home off the farm property where he had been staying, police said.
State Police were called after the girl, with whom the defendant was acquainted, ran from her bedroom screaming about the attack, alerting others in the home, authorities said. She suffered....Read More HERE
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