Orange County News
For Immediate Release Contact: Ryan Greenbaum
December 9, 2022 845.615.3657, 845.415.0868c
District Attorney Hoovler Says Mamakating Highway Superintendent Guilty of Course of Sexual Conduct Against a Child in the First Degree
Defendant Found Guilty After Jury Trial
Defendant Faces Up To 25 Years In Prison
Orange County District Attorney David M. Hoovler announced that on Friday, December 9, 2022, Robert Hufcut, 55, of Wurtsboro, was convicted after jury trial in the Orange County Court of Course of Sexual Conduct Against a Child in the First Degree. The jury found, beyond a reasonable doubt, that Hufcut had, over a period of time not less than three months, engaged in two or more acts of sexual conduct with a child less than thirteen years old. Hufcut faces a potential sentence of twenty-five (25) years in prison when he is sentenced on March 7, 2023. As part of the sentence, Hufcut will also be registered as a sex offender under the New York Sex Offender Registration Act (SORA). Hufcut 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.
“Children are precious and vulnerable and their victimization deserves to be met with all resources available to law enforcement,” said District Attorney David M. Hoovler. “This defendant’s actions are reprehensible and are even more troubling because the defendant is a public official. I commend the brave actions of the survivor in this case who came forward and testified about the traumatic events suffered at the hands of the defendant. 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 Assistant District Attorney Michael Purcell who prosecuted the case.
This criminal charge is merely an allegation 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.