Saugerties man sentenced to four years for attempted sexual abuse

Juan Torres-Hernandez, 49, of 108 Livingston Street in Saugerties, was sentenced Wednesday, July 10, in Ulster County Court to four years in state prison followed by 10 years of post-release supervision for his conviction to Attempted Sexual Abuse. He will be required to register under the New York State Sexual Offender Registration Act for a minimum of twenty years. Additionally a stay away Order of Protection on behalf of the victim was issued until December 13, 2033.

The conviction arose from an incident which took place in July of 2018 at the Northeast Center For Special Care in Lake Katrine when he attempted to subject another person to sexual contact when such other person was incapable of consent by reason of being physically helpless. Torres-Hernandez was an employee of the Northeast Center For Special Care at the time and entered the victim’s room in his capacity as a member of the janitorial staff. Another staff member walked in on the offense and reported to authorities immediately.

The case was prosecuted by Special Victims Bureau Chief, Katherine R. Van Loan. The defendant was represented by the Ulster County Public Defender’s Office. The defendant, who is a citizen of El Salvador, was working on a properly issued temporary employment visa which is scheduled to expire on September 9, 2019.