Ex-Peekskill Officer Pleads Guilty to Sexually Abusing Woman
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By Rick Pezzullo
A former Peekskill police officer is facing seven years in state prison after pleading guilty last week to sexually abusing a woman he threatened with arrest while he was on duty on multiple occasions.
Michael Agovino, 35, resigned from the Peekskill Police Department in 2021 after being arrested by the Westchester District Attorney’s Office on Feb. 15, 2020, following an investigation in collaboration with Peekskill Police.
According to District Attorney Mimi Roach, on two occasions in July 2019, Agovino, while on duty as a police officer, unlawfully entered the victim’s Peekskill home under the pretext that he was conducting an investigation where she was a suspect.
During the first visit, Agovino demanded the victim remove all of her clothing under the pretense of conducting a body search, and then sexually abused her. On the second visit, Agovino returned to the home, threatened the victim with arrest unless she removed her clothing or performed a sex act on him, and again sexually abused her.
Over the next five months, on three separate occasions, while on duty, Agovino unlawfully entered or attempted to enter the victim’s home for his own sexual gratification at the expense of the victim, and in one instance sexually abused her. On the last date, in January 2020, unbeknownst to Agovino, the victim audio recorded their interaction, and provided that recording to the District Attorney’s Office.
“Michael Agovino disgracefully violated his oath of office and his responsibility to serve and protect the public as a police officer by repeatedly abusing his authority, and sexually abusing this woman,” Rocah said. “The victim in this case demonstrated great courage in her attempt to hold her abuser accountable during this emotionally distressing ordeal and we hope that today’s plea helps in the healing process. I commend the Peekskill Police Department for their cooperation in this investigation and prosecution.”
Last Thursday, Agovino pled guilty to three counts of Burglary in the Second Degree as a Sexually Motivated Felony, two counts of Burglary in the Second Degree, two counts of Sexual Abuse in the First Degree, Attempted Burglary in the Second Degree as a Sexually Motivated Felony, Attempted Burglary in the Second Degree, Stalking in the First Degree as a Sexually Motivated Felony, and Falsifying Business Records in the First Degree, all felonies. He also pled guilty to four counts of Official Misconduct, three counts of Coercion in the Third Degree, and two counts of Forcible Touching, all misdemeanors.
In exchange for his plea to each count in the indictment, the court promised Agovino a sentence of seven years in state prison, with 15 years of post-release supervision. Agovino will also have to register as a sex offender upon his release from prison. Rocah said the District Attorney’s Office voiced to the court their strong objection to the agreement, as Agovino faced significantly more prison time if convicted after trial.
Agovino is scheduled to be sentenced on June 23.
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