POUGHKEEPSIE – Dutchess County Court Judge Jessica Segal sentenced a convicted sex offender from Poughkeepsie to more than four decades in prison on Wednesday after he was convicted in August by a jury on six felony sex offenses and one misdemeanor charge stemming from the sexual abuse of a child under the age of 15.
Victor Harris, 42, was sentenced to consecutive prison terms totaling 41 years, along with post-release supervision and sex offender registration requirements.
The sentence follows a five-day jury trial and two and a half days of deliberations, during which the jury found Harris guilty of two counts of criminal sexual act, four counts of sexual abuse, and misdemeanor endangering the welfare of a child.
District Attorney Anthony Parisi said, “The sentence imposed today reflects the extraordinary seriousness of these crimes and the devastating impact sexual abuse has on children. Victor Harris repeatedly violated the innocence and trust of a vulnerable child. His conduct was calculated, predatory, and deserving of severe punishment. Parisi continued, saying, “This young victim demonstrated remarkable courage by coming forward, confronting their abuser, and enduring the difficult process of testifying at trial. While no sentence can erase the harm inflicted, today’s outcome delivers justice, holds this defendant accountable, and protects our community from a dangerous sexual predator.”
The offenses occurred at two locations in the City of Poughkeepsie on various dates between July 2022 and April 2024. The victim was under the age of 15 at the time of the offenses.
The City of Poughkeepsie Police Department conducted the investigation, and Special Victims Unit Chief Angela Lopane and Senior Assistant District Attorney Stephanie DeMartini prosecuted the defendant. District Attorney Parisi stated, “I commend Special Victims Unit Chief Angela Lopane and Senior Assistant District Attorney Stephanie DeMartini for their outstanding prosecution of this case, along with the City of Poughkeepsie Police Department and the victim advocates whose dedication helped bring this defendant to justice. Our Office will never waver in its commitment to protecting children and aggressively prosecuting those who exploit and abuse them.”
