CHESTNUT RIDGE MAN CONVICTED OF SEXUAL CONDUCT AGAINST A CHILD IN THE FIRST DEGREE
NEW CITY, N.Y. – Rockland County District Attorney Thomas E. Walsh, II announced today that Thomas Kelly, 70, of Chestnut Ridge, New York, pled guilty on July 9, 2026, in the Rockland County Court to Course of Sexual Conduct Against a Child in the First Degree, Penal Law Section 130.75(1)(b), a Class B Violent Felony.
Commencing in the summer of 2019, the defendant subjected a female child under the age of 13 years old to continuous sexual abuse in the Village of Chestnut Ridge, County of Rockland, State of New York. The repeated sexual abuse consisted of sexual intercourse.
The investigation was conducted by the Ramapo Police Department with assistance from the Rockland County District Attorney’s Office Special Victims Unit.
District Attorney Thomas E. Walsh II said, “This defendant subjected a child to repeated sexual abuse and rape. He betrayed a position of trust and traumatized this child in unimaginable ways. My thoughts and prayers go out to the victim as she moves forward with her recovery. I thank the members of the Town of Ramapo Police Department and my Assistant District Attorneys for their dedication, hard work and support provided to the victim to achieve justice on their behalf.”
The defendant is scheduled for sentencing on October 7, 2026, before the Honorable Kevin F. Russo. The defendant will be sentenced to 12 years in state prison with 10 years of post-release supervision. Prior to the defendant’s release from prison, a Sex Offender Registration hearing will be held, and he will be required to register as a sex offender.
The case was prosecuted by Division Chief Joseph Barca and Executive Assistant District Attorney Emily McNiff.
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