Queens man indicted in rape of girl, 13, he met on Snapchat, Suffolk DA says

A Queens man accused of raping a 13-year-old girl in Hauppauge in May has been indicted, the Suffolk County prosecutor announced Friday.

Andrew Ramsaroop, 30, of South Ozone Park, is charged with two counts of second-degree rape, and one count of promoting a sexual performance by a child and endangering the welfare of a child, Suffolk prosecutors said in a news release.

Ramsaroop, was arrested on May 20 after he allegedly raped the girl at a playground on Devonshire Road on May 13, Suffolk police said. Earlier that day, he had met the victim, whom he'd met through the social media app Snapchat, at Smith Haven Mall in Lake Grove, police said. He had asked the victim and her friend to get into his vehicle, police said. They refused.

 “This defendant allegedly used a social media app to gain access to the victim,” Suffolk District Attorney Ray Tierney said in a statement. “He allegedly knew the teen was 13 years old yet this adult continued to communicate with this child and eventually convinced her to meet him in person in Suffolk County. The targeting of children will not be tolerated and offenders will be held responsible for their actions.”

On Thursday, Suffolk County Judge Karen M. Wilutis held Ramsaroop on $300,000 cash, $600,000 bond, or $2 million partially secured bond following his arraignment on the indictment. Ramsaroop is represented by the Legal Aid Society of Suffolk County and his next court date is June 27.