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Crime & Safety

Clinic Calls Cops on Pregnant Girlfriend; Clerk Fingered by Teen with Case of Beer Gets Public Defender

Here's this week's glimpse inside the headquarters of justice in Port Chester.

Here's a look at what happened during Port Chester Court's July 15 session. Court is in session every Monday, Thursday and Friday.

Espinoza Arraigned in Domestic Dispute Case

Mariano Espinoza, 27, of Oak Street is charged with second-degree unlawful imprisonment, a misdemeanor. His wife alleges that on the afternoon of July 13 she attempted to leave their Oak Street apartment to go out with friends, but Espinoza blocked the door, restrained her arms and verbally abused her. The couple has a 3-year-old daughter.

On Thursday, Espinoza entered a plea of not guilty, and Judge Joseph Vita issued a temporary order of protection on the wife's behalf. He is being held on $500 bail, and will be back in court July 22.

Pregnant Teen Won't Pursue Statutory Rape Charges Against Boyfriend

Ramiro Gonzalez, 21, of Port Chester is charged with felony statutory rape. Earlier this week Gonzalez and his 16-year-old girlfriend visited a local family health clinic because the girlfriend suspected she was pregnant. After the visit, someone from the clinic called police. Medical professionals are required to report any statutory rape cases they observe.

Gonzalez on Thursday entered a plea of not guilty to the charge, and his bail was set at $1,000. The DA's office had originally asked Judge Vita to set bail at $25,000. But Vita's attorney said that the girlfriend has no intention of pursuing the case.

"She believes she may be pregnant, so she would prefer not to see this matter prosecuted," the attorney said.

The DA's office can still pursue a conviction, but it will likely be to a lesser charge.

Vita also issued a temporary order of protection on the girlfriend's behalf, meaning Gonzalez cannot have any contact with her until and unless he is found not guilty of the charge.

His attorney said that he works as a landscaper and has lived in the village for three years.

The case was adjourned to next week.

Defendant in Trespass Case Almost Pleads Guilty, Then Says He was Framed


Alex Rivera of Port Chester is charged with third-degree criminal trespass, a misdemeanor, and two counts of marijuana possession.

On Thursday, Rivera was preparing to plead guilty to the charges. When a defendant enters a guilty plea, the judge asks a series of questions to ensure that the person was not coerced into pleading or promised anything more than the DA has offered.

Those questions are almost always answered the same way. But not on Thursday. It went like this:

Judge Vita: "Were you coerced into entering a guilty plea against your will?"

Rivera: "In one of those cases, yes."

Vita: "Are you saying you were framed?"

Rivera: "Yes."

Vita: "Then I'm not going to accept this plea."

Vita advised Rivera and his attorney to rethink the plea deal, and adjourned the case to July 22.

RG Mini Market Employee Allegedly Sold Beer to 19-Year-Old


Romalin Castillo, 46, of Yonkers is charged with selling alcohol to a minor, a misdemeanor. Castillo was working at the RG Mini Market at 235 William Street on July 10 when she allegedly sold an 18-pack and a 6-pack of Coors Light to a 19-year-old man. When reading the charges, Judge Vita said that Castillo "made no attempt to ascertain the person's age."

The man was pulled over by police later that day for speeding on Boston Post Road, and an officer noticed an open case of beer in the backseat. Castillo was arrested and posted $100 bail.

On Thursday she was assigned a legal aid attorney, and the case was adjourned to July 29.

Mayan Pleads Guilty in A&P Petit Larceny

Oscar Mayan of Port Chester pleaded guilty Thursday to attempted petit larceny, a misdemeanor.

On April 4, Mayan was caught trying to walk out of the A&P on Boston Post Road with four cartons of cigarettes.

He was originally charged with petit larceny, which carries steeper penalties. But the DA offered to reduce the charge Thursday, and Mayan took the deal.

He was sentenced to $255 in fines and fees and a one-year conditional discharge.

Pintado Cops a Plea Deal, Gets 30 Days in Prison


Luis Pintado of Port Chester was charged with misdemeanor harassment after violating an order of protection in April by repeatedly calling the protected party on his cell phone. He originally pleaded not guilty.

On Thursday the DA offered to knock the charge down to second-degree criminal contempt, to which Pintado pleaded guilty. He was sentenced to a small fine and 30 days in county jail. He received credit for the 10 days he has already been in custody.

The existing order of protection was extended for five more years.

Judge Vita indicated that Pintado may be in a precarious situation with Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), meaning he will likely be remanded to their custody upon being released from jail.

"This could contribute to your deportation," Vita told Pintado.

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