LI man found guilty in rape of 8-year-old girl, DA says

Suffolk County Court jurors on Wednesday found a Patchogue man guilty of raping an 8-year-old girl and other sexual abuse charges, authorities said.

Maximo Vera, 38, of River Avenue, was convicted in acting Supreme Court Justice Barbara Kahn’s Riverhead courtroom of first-degree rape, first-degree criminal sex act, first-degree sexual abuse and endangering the welfare of a child, according to court records and a news release issued by Suffolk District Attorney Tom Spota.

Vera was acquitted of one count of first-degree sexual abuse.

During the trial, which began on July 31, prosecutors said Vera raped the victim during several months, “from the winter of 2014 until June of 2015.”

He was arrested in September 2016 after the victim told her fifth-grade teacher, authorities said.

“Vera preyed on this young girl robbing her of her innocence,” Spota said in the release. “This defendant will be incarcerated and off the streets for a lengthy period of time.”

Vera’s attorney could not be reached for comment.

Vera is scheduled to be sentenced on Sept. 29. Spota said he will recommend a sentence of 25 years in prison.