Hudson Valley Man Pleads Guilty in Raping Developmentally Disabled Woman

A Hudson Valley man plead guilty to charges that he raped a developmentally disabled woman.

In Westchester County Court, 39-year-old Fitton Telesford, of New Rochelle plead guilty to 1st-degree attempted rape and 2nd-degree rape, felonies.

According to the Westchester County District Attorney’s Office, on Feb. 7, 2015 Telesford approached a female worker at a Shop Rite in New Rochelle. Officials say the woman is developmentally and physically disabled. She works at the grocery store as a bagger.

During the victim’s lunch break, Telesford invited the woman out for pizza. The two got in the suspects’ car and drove a short distance away from the shopping center parking lot.

Officials say shortly after, Telesford told the woman to get in the back seat of his car. He then raped and sexually assaulted her.

Telesford drove the victim back to Shop Rite where she reported the attack. DNA evidenced linked the rape to Telesford, authorities say.

Telesford was remanded back to Westchester County Jail. He’s scheduled to be sentenced on June 9. He faces 3.5-15 years in prison, plus 15 years post-release supervision. He will be required to register as a sex offender and could be subject to civil confinement at the end of his prison term.