Jose Carabantes Pineda: Man sentenced to 23 years in prison for sexual abuse of girl, 10, in minivan
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SUFFOLK COUNTY, NEW YORK: Jose Carabantes Pineda, a resident of Riverhead, New York, who admitted to "brutally" sexually abusing a 10-year-old, was handed a 23-year prison sentence and 20 years of post-release supervision on Wednesday, April 5. Carabantes Pineda, 37, entered a guilty plea in February to first-degree criminal sexual conduct.
Carabantes Pineda allegedly took the 10-year-old victim to a Big Lots parking lot in Riverhead on March 20, 2021, according to a press release from Suffolk County DA Raymond A. Tierney. The young girl was then restrained with duct tape before being sexually assaulted in the back of his minivan. The press release stated, "The child screamed and banged on the windows of the vehicle in hopes that someone would help her as she attempted to fight the defendant off of her," according to Fox News. The child's screams from inside the car were heard by a man passing by, who then tapped on the tinted, fogged-up windows. As the car sped off, the man dialed 911 and gave the dispatcher information about it.
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How was Jose Carabantes Pineda's arrest made possible?
Investigators learned that Carabantes Pineda tried to teach the girl to tell police that she screamed because he had sideswiped a car. He then put her in another car and left. Carabantes Pineda was arrested by Riverhead police shortly after making a second trip home.
Tierney stated, "The bravery of this young victim to fight back against her abuser, the quick reaction of a Good Samaritan, and the swift response by the Riverhead Police Department are the reason this predator was apprehended," according to Fox News.
Tierney added, "The fact that there are individuals who prey on innocent children like this, is just incomprehensible. But make no mistake, once we catch them, like this defendant, we will do everything in our power to ensure they serve a lengthy prison sentence."
What evidence was used to convict Jose Carabantes Pineda?
Pieces of the duct tape that was used to bind the child's hands were among the evidence that was retrieved from both vehicles, according to Fox News. A sexual assault forensic examination on the 10-year-old was conducted at Peconic Bay Medical Center.
DNA from Carabantes Pineda was uncovered through evidence gathered from the child's body. Investigators also discovered that Carabantes Pineda had been sexually abusing the youngster for months before the incident.
Carabantes Pineda entered a guilty plea to a first-degree criminal sexual act on February 24, 2023. He was given a sentence of 23 years in jail and 20 years of post-release supervision by Judge Karen M. Wilutis.