A Mastic Beach man has been indicted for allegedly raping a minor last month, police reports said.
Renato Oliva Garcia, 22, was arrested on March 17 for the alleged rape of a juvenile female at his home in Mastic Beach on March 15 following an investigation by the Suffolk County Police Department, reports said.
Oliva Garcia was charged with rape in the first degree, a felony; rape in the second degree, a felony; sexual abuse in the first degree, a felony, and endangering the welfare of a child, a misdemeanor.
“This is a very concerning trend law enforcement is seeing where alleged predators are able to communicate with minors through social media and gain their trust before convincing them to meet in person,” Suffolk County District Attorney Timothy D. Sini said in a press release. “As parents, we all need to stay vigilant in monitoring our children’s social media usage and talking to them about internet safety. Should any child in Suffolk County be preyed upon and victimized by someone they meet online, rest assured my Office will prosecute offenders to the fullest extent of the law.”
The investigation revealed that Oliva Garcia had allegedly interacted with the victim on Snapchat for several weeks before setting up an in-person meeting with her. In early March 2021, Oliva Garcia allegedly picked up the victim outside of her home, took her back to his home and then dropped her off at school.
On March 15, Oliva Garcia allegedly picked the victim up near her home and brought her back to his residence where he subjected her to sexual conduct.
The Mastic Beach man was arraigned on the indictment virtually today in front of Suffolk County Acting Supreme Court Justice Chris Ann Kelley and bail was set at $50,000 cash, $100,000 bond, or $150,000 partially-secured bond. He is being represented by Luigi Belcastro and is due back in court on April 27.
If convicted of the top count, Oliva Garcia faces a maximum sentence of up to 25 years in prison.
