Teenager sentenced for rape of teen girl near Brentwood golf course
BRENTWOOD, Long Island (WABC) -- One of three teenagers arrested for the sexual assault of a teen girl in a wooded area near a Brentwood golf course was sentenced Thursday, eight days before his 18th birthday.
Jose Cornejo of Brentwood received a 15-year sentence and 20 years probation after pleading guilty to charges of rape in the first degree, two counts of criminal sexual act in the first degree, one count of sexual abuse in the first degree, two counts of robbery in the second degree and one charge of resisting arrest.
On May 29 of last year Cornejo and two other young men identified themselves as members of a street gang, claimed they had a gun, and robbed the girl and her male companion, beating the male severely, authorities said.
The male ran away after the men hit him and stole his iPad. They then forcibly took the teenage girl to a wooded area adjacent to the Brentwood County Club Golf Course where two of the defendants took turns sexually assaulting her, according to Suffolk County District Attorney Thomas Spota.
"The victim was repeatedly raped by Cornejo and an accomplice, Joel Escobar, while a third man, Bryan Larios, acted as a lookout," District Attorney Spota said. Police were called by golfers when the girl staggered from the woods onto the golf course.
In an impact statement, the mother of the victim called Cornejo an animal who has no soul and is beyond rehabilitation. She said he robbed her daughter of her independence and self-esteem leaving her with "an inability to trust anyone at this time".
The girl continues to receive counseling and therapy.
Escobar, 18, of Brentwood, pleaded guilty to all of the charges he faced for his role in the crime. Judge Barbara Kahn promised him a sentence of 12 years in prison and 15 years post release supervision.
Escobar pleaded guilty to rape in the first degree, two counts of criminal sexual act in the first degree and two counts of robbery in the second degree. He will be sentenced May 11th.
