SUFFERN MAN PLEADS GUILTY TO RAPE IN THE FIRST DEGREE

NEW CITY, N.Y. – Rockland County District Attorney Thomas E. Walsh II announced today that on July 9, 2026, Jose Pirir Morales, 27, of Suffern, New York, pled guilty in Rockland County Court before the Honorable Kevin F. Russo to Rape in the First Degree, Penal Law Section 130.35(1), a Class B Violent Felony.

On or about the early morning hours of September 20, 2025, while the victim was traveling on foot to her residence in the Village of Suffern, the defendant approached and initiated a violent physical assault from behind and subjected the victim to forcible sexual intercourse.

The investigation was conducted by the Suffern Police Department with assistance from the Rockland County District Attorney’s Office Special Victims Unit.

On a plea to the sole count of Indictment 2025-226 charging Rape in the First Degree, the People recommended a sentence of 15 years state prison, a period of post-release supervision, and a full stay away order of protection for the victim. In exchange for a plea of guilty, the Court promised the defendant the minimum sentence of 5 years state prison with 10 years of post-release supervision and a full stay away order of protection for the victim. The sentencing is scheduled for October 7, 2026, and the defendant will be required to register as a sex offender after his release from prison.

District Attorney Thomas E. Walsh II said, “The minimum sentence permitted by the law of five years in state prison promised by Judge Russo does not adequately reflect the gravity of the defendant’s conduct of violently attacking and raping the victim. Such leniency undermines the interest of justice and confidence that victims and the public should have in our courts.”

The case was prosecuted by Supervising Assistant District Attorney Gerard M. Damiani III of the Special Victims Unit.

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