WHITE PLAINS, NY (July 22, 2025) — A New Rochelle man was sentenced to eight years in prison for sexually assaulting a woman and killing her cat, Westchester County District Attorney Susan Cacace announced.
Joshua Lopez, 20, received the sentence Thursday from Westchester County Court Judge James McCarty. Lopez pleaded guilty on June 2 to attempted Criminal Sexual Act in the First Degree, a class C violent felony. In addition to prison time, he faces 15 years of post-release supervision and must register as a sex offender. An order of protection was issued for the victim.
“This defendant’s shocking conduct exemplifies the horrors women face when they experience domestic violence,” Cacace said. “No element of their lives is spared by their abuser. This is why we must redouble our efforts to ensure domestic violence victims have the care and support they need to report their abusers.”
The assault occurred on May 3, 2024, at Lopez’s New Rochelle home, where he sexually assaulted the victim through forcible compulsion. Lopez also strangled the victim and attacked her with a metal cane while she was pregnant, actions covered by his guilty plea. Prior to the assault, Lopez killed the victim’s cat, Casper, by strangulation.
In a statement read at sentencing, the victim said, “The fear you put into me is not easily erased. All I want is to live in peace. I want my son and I to be free from the shadow of your violence and abuse. I don’t want to be scared anymore or live in fear. It’s time for me to finally be free from all this as well.”
Cacace praised the victim’s courage, noting her bravery ensured “a violent abuser will be taken off the street.” The case, investigated by the New Rochelle Police Department, was prosecuted by Domestic Violence Bureau Chief Joyce Miller.
This article was drafted with the aid of Grok, an AI tool by xAI, under the direction and editing of Robert Cox to ensure accuracy and adherence to journalistic standards.