Man Sexually Assaulted Child In Parking Lot Of LI Store: DA

RIVERHEAD, NY — A man sexually abused a girl in the parking lot of a Big Lots store in Riverhead recently — and a good Samaritan came to her aid, according to Suffolk County District Attorney Tim Sini.

Jose Samuel Carabantes Pineda, 35, of Riverhead, was indicted Wednesday on charges including predatory sexual assault against a child, a felony; two counts of first-degree criminal sexual act, a felony; first-degree course of sexual conduct against a child, a felony; and endangering the welfare of a child, a misdemeanor.

Carabantes Pineda sexually assaulted the girl on several occasions since the fall of 2020, Sini said. On March 20, Carabantes Pineda drove her to the parking lot of a Big Lots located in Riverhead, restrained her with duct tape in the back of his minivan, and sexually assaulted her, Sini said.

A good Samaritan in the parking lot heard screaming coming from the vehicle, knocked on the windows, then saw Carabantes Pineda get into the driver’s seat and pull away, Sini said. The good Samaritan called 911 and provided information about the vehicle to police, and attempted to follow the minivan, Sini said. Carabantes Pineda returned to his home, made the girl get into a different vehicle, and drove around while telling the child what she should say to the police if they were called, Sini said.

When they arrived back at the house, Riverhead police were present and arrested Carabantes Pineda, Sini said.

“This individual allegedly subjected a child to months of sexual abuse,” Sini said. “Thanks to the bravery of the victim, the heroic act of the good Samaritan who intervened, and the swift actions of the Riverhead Town Police Department, this alleged predator was apprehended. My office will do everything in our power to hold him accountable for these heinous acts.”

Carabantes Pineda was arraigned on the indictment in front of Suffolk County Acting Supreme Court Justice Chris Ann Kelley Wednesday and was remanded without bail. He is being represented by the Legal Aid Society and is due back in court on April 13. If convicted of the top count, Carabantes Pineda faces a maximum sentence of 25 years to life in prison.