FORMER NEW YORK CITY POLICE OFFICER CONVICTED OF STATUTORY RAPE AND SODOMY OF 12 YEAR-OLD GIRL

Queens District Attorney Richard A. Brown announced today the conviction of a former police officer on statutory rape and sodomy charges for engaging in sexual conduct with a 12 year-old girl.

District Attorney Brown said, "Crimes of this nature are repugnant to say the least and the fact that the defendant was a Police Officer at the time he engaged in the activities makes the conduct even more egregious. According to the testimony of the child's father, the defendant was also a friend of his who he had asked to advise and guide his daughter. The defendant betrayed his duties to the Department as well as to his friend and his daughter. He will be severely punished for his behavior."

District Attorney Brown identified the defendant as Harry Velasquez, 27, of 87-86 116th Street, Jamaica. He was convicted after a two-week jury trial held before Supreme Court Justice Richard Buchter who will impose sentence on September 11. The defendant was convicted of one count of rape in the second degree, two counts of sodomy in the second degree, one count of sexual abuse in the second degree and endangering the welfare of a child. He faces up to 21 years in prison when he is sentenced.

According to the testimony at trial, in the Spring of 1996 the girl's father approached the defendant, who was a friend of his, and asked him to help his daughter and become a role model for her. It was testified that shortly after he was introduced to the girl, the defendant began talking to her about sex. In July 1996, having. gained the girl's trust, the defendant engaged her in sexual activities. During the summer of 1997, the child told her mother what had transpired and her mother confronted the defendant's wife. The defendant, who was assigned to the Housing Division and worked in Brooklyn, told his union delegate about the allegations and an investigation was begun. The defendant was arrested on August 14.

Assistant District Attorney Carmencita Gutierrez of the District Attorney's Special Victims Bureau, which is under the supervision of Assistant District Attorney Marjory Fisher, was in charge of the prosecution.