Man Accused Of Sexual Abuse At Child's Birthday Party: Rockland DA

ROCKLAND COUNTY, NY — A Bronx man who assaulted a 7-year-old girl during a birthday party at Rockland Lake State Park has pleaded guilty to first-degree sex abuse, Rockland County District Attorney Thomas E. Walsh II said.

Francisco Lopez-Gomez, 45, approached the child on June 15, 2017 while she was changing out of her bathing suit in a family member's vehicle. He entered and then sexually abused her, prosecutors said.

The sexual abuse was not reported until years later.

Once reported, the New York City Police Department, New York State Police, and the Rockland County District Attorney’s Office Special Victims Unit initiated a joint investigation.

At the time of Lopez-Gomez's arrest, he was serving a probationary sentence for a misdemeanor conviction for endangering the welfare of a child. That crime occurred March 29, 2021, in Bronx County.

"The plea of guilty by the defendant in this case should send a clear message to any individual who has or is sexually abusing a child that you will be investigated and prosecuted for your horrific actions," Walsh said. "My Office will continue to work tirelessly to protect innocent children from predators and seek justice for all victims of sexual abuse."

Sentencing has been scheduled for June 18 before the Honorable Anne B. Bianchi.

Given his conviction in Rockland County, he will have to register as a sex offender once he has served his sentence, the DA said.