Suffolk County, NY – A 34-year-old Brooklyn man was indicted after prosecutors say he used social media to lure a 16-year-old girl to a Brentwood library before walking her to a fire department where he allegedly raped her behind parked cars.
According to Suffolk County District Attorney Raymond A. Tierney, the suspect, identified as Delon Hughes, allegedly contacted the victim on Snapchat using the username “Josephpatri9300.” Investigators say Hughes also used the Instagram handle “Richkid365” to communicate with the teen.
On June 11, Hughes allegedly took the Long Island Rail Road to Brentwood where he met the girl and later sexually abused her near the Brentwood Fire Department. Detectives said Hughes continued communicating with the victim online until his arrest in Queens on August 7.
Search warrants executed on two of Hughes’ phones revealed additional accounts, including “Richkid3651” on Instagram and “Josephpatri9300” on Snapchat, both of which prosecutors say were used in conversations with the girl.
Hughes was arraigned Monday before Acting Supreme Court Justice Karen M. Wilutis on multiple charges including two counts of third-degree rape, two counts of failing to register an internet identifier, two counts of endangering the welfare of a child, aggravated harassment, and third-degree sexual abuse.
Justice Wilutis ordered Hughes held on $350,000 cash, $850,000 bond, or $3.5 million partially secured bond. He is scheduled to return to court September 25 and faces up to four years in prison if convicted on the top count.
The case is being prosecuted by Assistant District Attorney Sean Murphy of the Child Abuse and Domestic Violence Bureau. The investigation was handled by Detective Dario Perito of the Suffolk County Police Department’s Third Squad.
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Key Points
- Brooklyn man indicted for allegedly raping a 16-year-old girl he met on Snapchat
- Prosecutors say the suspect used usernames “Josephpatri9300” and “Richkid365” to contact the victim
- Defendant faces up to four years in prison if convicted on top charges
A Brooklyn man accused of using Snapchat and Instagram to lure a teenager now faces multiple felony charges in Suffolk County court.