SUFFOLK COUNTY, NY - A 34-year-old man is accused of raping and robbing a 12-year-old boy he allegedly lured on a dating app.
The alleged suspect, Marquise Utsey, of Massapequa, was indicted on charges of rape, sexual abuse, robbery, and endangering the welfare of a child, according to a press release from the Suffolk County District Attorney's Office.
Prosecutors allege that Utsey visited the 12-year-old boy, whom he met on a social networking and dating app, on the evening of December 6 while the child was home alone. While at the boy's home, he allegedly raped the boy before "demanding that the child give him money."
"Fearing for his own safety, the victim went into a family member's bedroom and allegedly gave Utsey the money that he found there," prosecutors said.
When his parents returned home, he told them what happened. Parents then called the police, and Utsey was later found and taken into custody, PEOPLE reported.
"The conduct alleged in this indictment reflects utterly reprehensible behavior and a profound betrayal of basic human decency," Suffolk County District Attorney Raymond A. Tierney said in the press release.
A judge ordered Utsey held on a $1.5 million bond while the case is pending. Utsey has been arraigned and charged with the following: two counts of rape in the first degree; two counts of sexual abuse in the first degree; one count of robbery in the third degree; and one count of endangering the welfare of a child.
If convicted as charged, Utsey could face 25 years in prison. His next court appearance is scheduled for February 3, 2026.
The alleged suspect, Marquise Utsey, of Massapequa, was indicted on charges of rape, sexual abuse, robbery, and endangering the welfare of a child, according to a press release from the Suffolk County District Attorney's Office.
Prosecutors allege that Utsey visited the 12-year-old boy, whom he met on a social networking and dating app, on the evening of December 6 while the child was home alone. While at the boy's home, he allegedly raped the boy before "demanding that the child give him money."
"Fearing for his own safety, the victim went into a family member's bedroom and allegedly gave Utsey the money that he found there," prosecutors said.
When his parents returned home, he told them what happened. Parents then called the police, and Utsey was later found and taken into custody, PEOPLE reported.
"The conduct alleged in this indictment reflects utterly reprehensible behavior and a profound betrayal of basic human decency," Suffolk County District Attorney Raymond A. Tierney said in the press release.
A judge ordered Utsey held on a $1.5 million bond while the case is pending. Utsey has been arraigned and charged with the following: two counts of rape in the first degree; two counts of sexual abuse in the first degree; one count of robbery in the third degree; and one count of endangering the welfare of a child.
If convicted as charged, Utsey could face 25 years in prison. His next court appearance is scheduled for February 3, 2026.
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