WHITE PLAINS, NY — Westchester County District Attorney Janet DiFiore announced today that Fitton Telesford, 38, of 9 Seventh Street, New Rochelle, New York was arraigned on a 13-count indictment charging him with one count of Rape in the First Degree, a class “B” Felony, one count of Rape in the Second Degree, a class “D” Felony, one count of Rape in Third Degree, a class “E” Felony, three counts of Criminal Sexual Act in the First Degree, a class “B” Felony, three counts of Criminal Sexual Act in the Second Degree, a class “D” Felony, three counts of Criminal Sexual Act in the Third Degree, a class “E” Felony and one count of Sexual Abuse in the First Degree, a class “D” Felony.
On Feb. 7, 2015 the defendant while inside a Shop Rite Grocery store located in New Rochelle, approached a female worker. The 39 year old woman is developmentally and physically disabled. She was employed there as a grocery store bagger. During her lunch break, Telesford, who identified himself under an assumed name told her he would take her out for a slice of pizza. Once in his car, the defendant drove her a short distance away to an indoor shopping center parking lot. He told her to get in the back seat of the vehicle. He then forcibly raped and sexually assaulted her.
The defendant drove her back to Shop Rite where she reported the attack.
The New Rochelle Police Department initiated an investigation.
DNA evidence identified him as the assailant and corroborated the sexual assaults.
Telesford was placed under arrested by the New Rochelle Police Department on May 4, 2015.
He was remanded to the Westchester County Jail in Valhalla.
His next court date will be on Sept. 1, 2015.
The defendant faces a maximum of 25 years in prison.
Assistant District Attorney Michelle Lopez, Deputy Bureau Chief of the Sex Crimes Bureau, is prosecuting the case.