Hudson Valley Man Sentenced To Prison for Sexual Abuse

A Hudson Valley man is heading to prison for sexually abusing two young girls.

On Thursday in Sullivan County Court, 55-year-old Dennis Gonzalez of Liberty was sentenced to 7½ years in state prison and 10 years of post-release supervision after pleading guilty to sexual abuse and a criminal sex act.

According to the Sullivan County District Attorney’s Office, Gonzalez admitted to having oral sex with a 16-year-old girl in the Fall of 2013 and sexually touching a 10-year-old girl in the Fall of 2013 at his Liberty home.

Gonzalez was arrested after an investigation by the Family Violence Response Team, which is comprised of investigators from the New York State Police and the Sullivan County District Attorney's Office as well workers from Sullivan County's Department of Family Services and prosecutors from the DA's office.

"This team works very hard to protect our children in Sullivan County and has been very successful in bringing justice to those who abuse children,” Sullivan County District Attorney’s Office Jim Farrell stated. This case is yet another example of the valuable and important work that they engage in on a daily basis. These types of cases, where children are hurt and abused, are not easy but the members of the team are dedicated to the cause of justice and work very hard to achieve that goal."

Permanent orders of protection were granted for the two young girls. Gonzalez is required to register as a sex offender.