WHITE PLAINS, NY — Westchester County District Attorney Janet DiFiore announced today that Nelson Acevedo, 43, of 1 Beaufort Place, New Rochelle, New York was arraigned on an eight count indictment charging him with two counts of Rape in the Third Degree, class “E” Felonies, two counts of Criminal Sexual Act in the Third Degree, class “E” Felonies, four counts of Sexual Abuse in the Third Degree, class “B” Misdemeanors.
Between February 1, 2013 and July 31, 2013, the defendant who has a Master of Social Work (MSW) and was employed at the The Guidance Center of Westchester in New Rochelle, engaged in various forms of inappropriate sexual contact with a patient.
The Center is a state certified facility that offers various forms of counseling services.
On three separate occasions during counseling sessions at The Guidance Center, the defendant sexually abused the victim during counseling sessions in his office.
On another occasion, at his place of residence, during a counseling session, the defendant raped the victim.
The victim was incapable of consent because she was a patient and the defendant was a mental health care provider and the sexual acts occurred during a treatment session.
In June 2013, Governor Cuomo announced the opening of the Justice Center for the Protection of People with Special Needs, a new state agency charged with investigating cases of abuse and neglect in the special needs community.
This case investigation originated with a call to their statewide hotline.
The allegations were jointly investigated by the Justice Center, New Rochelle Police and the Sex Crimes Bureau of the District Attorney’s office.
The defendant was subsequently arrested by the New Rochelle police.
Bail was continued at $50,000 cash or bond.
The defendant’s next court date is December 17th, 2013.
He faces a maximum sentence of four years in state prison on the top charge.
Assistant District Attorney Fredric Green, Chief of the Sex Crimes Bureau is prosecuting the case.
In compliance with Disciplinary Rule 7-107A of the Code of
Professional Responsibility, you are advised that a charge is
merely an accusation and that a defendant is presumed
innocent until and unless proven guilty
WESTCHESTER COUNTY DISTRICT ATTORNEY
NEWS RELEASE
111 Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Blvd.
White Plains, New York 10601
(914) 995-3586
(914) 995-2116 Fax