Crime & Safety

New Rochelle Therapist Faces Added Rape, Abuse Charges

A New Rochelle man faces additional rape and sexual abuse charges for engaging in sexual contact with one of his counseling patients. 

Westchester County District Attorney Janet DiFiore announced Friday that 
Nelson Acevedo, 42, of Beaufort Place, was arraigned on an eight-count indictment.

Acevedo was employed at the Guidance Center of Westchester in New Rochelle when the alleged abuse occurred. 

He was originally charged in August with third-degree rape, a felony, and two counts of third-degree sexual abuse, misdemeanors. 

The complete charges now stand as follows:

  • Two counts of third-degree rape, class "E" felonies
  • Two counts of third-degree criminal sexual act, class "E" felonies
  • Four counts of third-degree sexual abuse, class "B" misdemeanors
DiFiore said Acevedo, who has a master of social work degree, on three separate occasions, sexually abused the victim by having her touch him in a sexually explicit manner. 

On another occasion, Acevedo allegedly raped the woman at his residence, ostensibly during a counseling session. Police said the rape and abuse occurred between February 1 and July 31. 

DiFiore said the victim was incapable of consent because she was a patient and the defendant was a mental health care provider and the sexual acts occurred during a treatment session. 

The case investigated began with a call to the statewide hotline of the Justice Center for the Protection of People with Special Needs.

The allegations were jointly investigated by the Justice Center, New Rochelle Police and the Sex Crimes Bureau of the District Attorney's office.

Acevedo was arrested by the New Rochelle police.

His bail was continued at $50,000 cash or bond, and his next court date is December 17, 2013.

Acevedo faces a maximum sentence of four years in state prison on the top charge.


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