Orange County News
For Immediate Release                                                                        Contact: Christopher Borek 
 May 13, 2022                                                                                   845.291.3276, 845.238.4245c

District Attorney Hoovler Announces Conviction After Jury Trial in Rape Case

Connecticut Man Convicted of Rape in the Third Degree

Orange County District Attorney David M. Hoovler announced that on Thursday, May 12, 2022, Lucas Xavier, age 24, of Brookfield, Connecticut, was convicted following a jury trial in the Orange County Court of Rape in the Third Degree.  Xavier faces a maximum sentence of four years in state prison and ten years of post-release supervision when he is sentenced on June 21, 2022.  As part of the sentence, Xavier will also be registered as a sex offender under the New York Sex Offender Registration Act (SORA).  Xavier was remanded to the Orange County Jail without bail following the jury’s verdict.

District Attorney Hoovler thanked the New York State Police for their investigation and the arrest of the defendant.

“When someone says no, it means no,” said District Attorney David M. Hoovler. “Sexual assault victims have the right to be heard and, by their verdict in this case, the jury has heard the victim here.  I commend the brave actions of the survivor in this case who came forward and testified about the traumatic day she was sexually assaulted.  My Office will continue to provide support for victims of sexual assault and seek to hold offenders accountable for their actions.”

District Attorney Hoovler highly commended Executive Assistant District Attorney Michael Milza who prosecuted the case.

A criminal charge is merely an allegation by the police that a defendant has committed a violation of the criminal law, and it is not evidence of guilt. All defendants are presumed innocent and entitled to a fair trial, during which it will be the State of New York’s burden to prove guilt beyond a reasonable doubt.