News

Home worker accused of rape

Pervez Mahmud

A 64-year-old man who worked as an aide at a Southold group home was arraigned Wednesday on felony rape and other charges after a 20-count grand jury indictment, accusing him of a series of sexual assaults on developmentally disabled women, was unsealed in Suffolk County Court in Riverhead.

Pervez Mahmud of Manorville pleaded not guilty and was held in lieu of $50,000 cash bail. He is scheduled to return to court April 21.

The five victims range in age from 45 to 71.

“We have reason to believe this defendant victimized four women in the Southold facility and one female housed in a Bay Shore group home last year,” said Suffolk District Attorney Thomas Spota.

Prosecutors say Mr. Mahmud had sex several times with one woman in the Southold home, operated by AHRC of Suffolk. He is also accused of touching the breasts and buttocks of several others. Southold Town police arrested Mr. Mahmud, a native of Punjab, India, on charges of sexual abuse and endangering the welfare of an incompetent or physically disabled person last November.

AHRC of Suffolk, which operates the homes, suspended Mr. Mahmud Nov. 9 after learning of an allegation that he inappropriately touched a woman in the Bay Shore home, Mr. Spota said. Prosecutors say he assaulted the woman while filling in for a coworker. He worked for AHRC for a year and a half.

In addition to felony rape and criminal sex act charges, Mr. Mahmud also faces misdemeanor counts of second degree sexual abuse and forcible touching. If convicted, he faces 2 1/3 to 7 years in prison.

The district attorney said six women were assaulted, but one chose not to testify before the grand jury. At the district attorney’s request, all the women were granted orders of protection.

Christian Killoran, Mr. Mahmud’s attorney, declined to comment Wednesday.

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