Orange County News
For Immediate Release Contact: Ryan Greenbaum
Friday March 24, 2023 845.615.3657, 845.415.0868c
District Attorney Hoovler Announces Plea in One Child Rape Case and Prison Sentence in Another
Patrick Lynch Faces Up To 20 Years in Prison
Eric Vazquez Sentenced to 15 Years in Prison
Orange County District Attorney David M. Hoovler announced that on Thursday, June 29, 2023, Patrick Lynch, age 44, of Bethel Connecticut, pled guilty in Orange County Court to Course of Sexual Conduct Against a Child in the First Degree. Under the plea agreement announced on the record at the time that Lynch pled guilty, the People will recommend that he be sentenced to twenty (20) years in state prison and twenty (20) years of post-release supervision when he is sentenced on September 26, 2023. As part of the sentence, Lynch will also be registered as a sex offender under the New York Sex Offender Registration Act (SORA).
The defendant admitted in Court that, being eighteen (18) years or older, over a period of time not less than three months in duration he engaged in two or more acts of sexual conduct which included at least one act of sexual intercourse, oral sexual conduct, anal sexual conduct or aggravated sexual conduct with a child who was less than thirteen years old.
District Attorney Hoovler thanked the Orange County Child Abuse Investigation Unit and the New York State Police for their investigation and the arrest of the defendant.
District Attorney Hoovler also announced that on Tuesday, June 27, 2023, Eric Vazquez, age 32, of Newburgh, was sentenced to fifteen (15) years in state prison and ten (10) years of post-release supervision in connection with his previously guilty plea in Orange County Court to Rape in the First Degree and Criminal Sexual Act in the First Degree. As part of the sentence, Vazquez will also be registered as a sex offender under the New York Sex Offender Registration Act (SORA).
“These two defendants victimized children in unspeakable ways,” said District Attorney David M. Hoovler. “There is no adequate response to such behavior short of incarceration for the longest terms possible. My Office, together with our law enforcement partners will never cease in our pursuit of sexual predators. We will continue to provide support for victims of sexual assault and seek to hold offenders accountable for their actions.”
The Lynch case is being prosecuted by Assistant District Attorney Nicholas Mangold. The Vazquez case is being prosecuted by Assistant District Attorney Michael Purcell.
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.