Crime & Safety
Former Briarcliff School Board Candidate Faces Attempted Rape Charge
Michael Valenti is alleged to have arranged to pay for sex with a 13-year-old girl through an online contact who was really an undercover agent.
A 47-year-old Briarcliff man was arrested April 23 after an undercover operation by the Westchester County District Attorney's Office. The DA's office identified him as Michael Valenti, a candidate in 2011 for the Briarcliff Board of Education.
The DA's office issued this press release April 24:
Westchester County District Attorney Janet DiFiore announced today that Michael Valenti (DOB 12/12/66) of 90 Whitson Road, Briarcliff Manor, New York was arraigned on a Felony Complaint charging him with:
• one count of Attempted Rape in the Second Degree, a class ”E” Felony,
• one count of Attempted Criminal Sexual Act in the Second Degree, a class “E” Felony,
• one count of Attempted Patronizing a Prostitute, a class “A” Misdemeanor.
Between April 21st, 2014 and April 23rd, 2014, the defendant was in contact with an undercover investigator from the District Attorney’s Office through an online advertisement. The undercover assumed the role of an adult male with a 13 year old child who was available for sexual activity.
The defendant engaged the undercover in a series of emails.
The defendant discussed engaging specific sexual acts with the “13 year old” in exchange for money.
The meet was arranged for yesterday at a predetermined location in Westchester County and then the two drove to a rented room.
When the defendant arrived at the room, he was arrested by investigators from the District Attorney’s Office.
He was arraigned last night and was remanded.
His next court appearance will be on April 25th, 2014 in the Town of Greenburgh Justice Court.
He faces a maximum sentence of four years in prison.
Assistant District Attorney Laura Forbes of the High Technology Crime Bureau is prosecuting the case.
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