Putnam County Sheriff Donald B. Smith reports the arrest of a Brewster man on a felony rape charge.

On July 1, 2015, members of the Bureau of Criminal Investigation arrested Hugo De Jesus Cardona Velasquez, 19, of 2B Westview Court, Brewster. The arrest was the result of an investigation of a reported sexual act involving a minor. Investigators from the Sheriff’s Department and the Putnam County District Attorney’s Office had determined that Mr. Cardona had sexual contact with a minor in the Town of Southeast. Mr. Cardona was charged with Rape in the First Degree, a felony.

The defendant was arraigned before Town of Southeast Justice Gregory Folchetti and committed to the Putnam County Correctional Facility in lieu of $50,000.00 cash bail or $100,000.00 bond pending a future court appearance. The court issued an order of protection against the defendant on behalf of the victim.

If found guilty of the felony charge, the defendant could face up to twenty five years in a New York State Correctional Facility and a fine of up to $30,000.00.