District Attorney Hoovler Announces Guilty Plea 

In Child Forcible Touching Case

Man Pleads Guilty to Forcible Touching a Minor for Purposes of Gratifying his Sexual Desire

Orange County District Attorney David M. Hoovler announced that on Wednesday, May 29, 2019, Joseph Retherford, 38, of Wallkill, pleaded guilty to the misdemeanor crime of          Forcible Touching in the Town of Wallkill Justice Court.  At the time that he pleaded guilty Retherford admitted that on December 28, 2018, in the vicinity of Scotchtown Collabar Road and Goshen Turnpike he forcibly touched the sexual or other intimate parts of a teenage girl for the purpose of degrading or abusing her or for the purpose of gratifying his sexual desire, while the victim was a passenger in his vehicle.

Retherford is scheduled to be sentenced on August 28, 2019 in the Town of Wallkill Justice Court. Retherford will be required to register as a sex offender.

District Attorney Hoovler thanked the Wallkill Police Department for their investigation and the arrest of Retherford.

“Children are the most innocent of victims,” said District Attorney David Hoovler. “We can only hope that this disposition, which spares the victim from having to testify, brings some measure of closure to the victim and the victim’s family.  My Office will continue to work with all our law enforcement partners in protecting children and will continue to seek severe punishment for all who commit violent crimes against defenseless infants and children.”

The case is being prosecuted by Assistant District Attorney Michael Roche.

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.