WHITE PLAINS, NY (July 8, 2023) — Jason Ricketts, 22, of New Rochelle, was indicted by a Westchester County Grand Jury and arraigned on July 6 on 67 counts of physical sexual acts involving children in Westchester County, as well as the creation and possession of images and videos of children engaged in sexual acts, between 2019 and 2023.
Jason Ricketts graduated from New Rochelle High School in 2021, and attended Isaac E. Young Middle School before that. Given the timeline, many of the crimes charged appear to have occurred while he was a student at New Rochelle High School. City School District of New Rochelle officials declined to comment. “Any inquiries should go to the DA’s office”, said a District spokesperson.
Jason Ricketts, 22, was arrested by the Westchester County District Attorney’s Office and arraigned in New Rochelle City Court on February 2, 2023. Appearing before Judge Jared R. Rice, he was initially charged with four felonies:
- 1 x Course of Sexual Conduct Against a Child in the First Degree
- 1 x Use of a Child in a Sexual Performance
- 1 x Promoting an Obscene Sexual Performance by a Child
- 1 x Possessing an Obscene Sexual Performance by a Child
Rice set bail at $250,000 cash, $500,000 bond and $1 million partially-secured bond. Ricketts was remanded to Westchester County Jail in Valhalla, NY.
Law enforcement seized multiple devices, which were analyzed to identify other possible victims or witnesses. The DA’s issued a request for additional victims to come forward.
The four felonies were greatly expanded in the indictment.
Charges in Grand Jury Indictment:
- 2 x Predatory Sexual Assault Against a Child, felonies
- 2 x Course of Sexual Conduct Against a Child in the First Degree, felonies
- 12 x Use of a Child in a Sexual Performance, felonies
- 7 x Criminal Sexual Act in the Second Degree, felonies
- 6 x Unlawful Surveillance in the Second Degree, felonies
- 6 x Criminal Sexual Act in the Third Degree, felonies
- 34 x Possessing an Obscene Sexual Performance by a Child, felonies
- Sexual Misconduct, a misdemeanor
Ricketts was arrested by the Westchester County District Attorney’s Office on Feb. 2, and remains in custody at Westchester County Jail.
What they are saying:
Westchester County District Attorney Miriam E. Rocah: “The Westchester County District Attorney’s Office is committed to working with our partners to bring to justice anyone who exploits, abuses or endangers our children through sexual contact or over the internet. We will continue to engage with families to help arm them with tools to protect our children and offer support for victims who come forward.”
After receiving a referral from the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children, an investigation was conducted by the Westchester County District Attorney’s Office Child Abuse Bureau, Cyber Crimes Bureau, and Criminal Investigators with the High Technology Crimes Unit and Special Prosecutions Unit.
The District Attorney thanked NCMEC and the New Rochelle Police Department for their assistance with the investigation.
Anyone who may have been victimized or may have information about other possible victims of the defendant can contact the DA’s Office Special Prosecutions Division at (914) 995- 3000. Language assistance is available.
The case is before Judge Susan Cacace in Westchester County Court, and is being prosecuted by Domestic Violence Deputy Bureau Chief Janelle Armentano and Senior Assistant District Attorney Mollie O’Rourke, both of the Special Prosecutions Division, and Cyber Crimes Deputy Bureau Chief Laura Forbes of the Trials and Investigations Division.
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