A Queens man pleaded guilty Friday to rape after admitting to engaging in sexual intercourse with a 15-year-old girl who was a resident of the Brentwood Residential Center for Girls in Dix Hills where he worked.
Ovzie Cannon, 40, pleaded guilty to Rape in the Third Degree, Criminal Sexual Act in
the Third Degree, a Class E felony and Endangering the Welfare of a Child, a Class A
misdemeanor, District Attorney Ray Tierney said.
“This defendant’s job was to provide support to vulnerable youth,” Tierney said. “Instead, he exploited his position of trust to take advantage of a 15-year-old girl by drugging and
sexually abusing her. My office will continue to vigorously prosecute those who prey upon
children and adolescents.”
According to court documents and the defendant’s guilty plea allocution, between January and February, Cannon was employed as a Youth Support Specialist at the Brentwood Residential Center for Girls, a facility operated by the State Office of Children and Family Services. The facility serves female youth, typically between the ages of 12 and 18, who have been adjudicated as juvenile delinquents. During that time, Cannon was assigned to monitor the room of the 15-year-old victim.
On more than one occasion, Cannon provided the victim with edibles, which are food products that contain cannabinoids, and then had sexual intercourse with her.
Cannon is due back in court for sentencing on Jan. 17.