Foreign Worker Tried to Sexually Abuse Hudson Valley Patient

A man working in the area on a work visa tried to sexually abuse a patient at a Hudson Valley brain injury treatment center.

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On Wednesday in Ulster County Court, 49-year-old Juan Torres-Hernandez of Saugerties was sentenced to 4 years in state prison followed by 10 years of post-release supervision for his conviction to attempted sexual abuse. He will also be required to register under the New York State Sexual Offender Registration Act for a minimum of 20-years.

The conviction arose from an incident which took place in July of 2018 at the Northeast Center for Rehabilitation and Brain Injury when he attempted to subject another person to sexual contact when the other person was incapable of consent by reason of being physically helpless, officials say.

Torres Hernandez was an employee of the Northeast Center for Rehabilitation and Brain Injury at the time and entered the victim’s room as a member of the janitorial staff.

Another staff member walked in on the offense and reported to authorities immediately.

According to the Northeast Center website, the center is a special care program of rehabilitation and recovery to serve individuals with complex needs such as brain injury, neurobehavioral disorders, spinal cord injury, complex medical recovery, ventilator care and ventilator weaning

A stay away Order of Protection on behalf of the victim was issued until December 13, 2033.

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Torres-Hernandez is a citizen of El Salvador and is was working on a properly issued temporary employment visa which is scheduled to expire on September 9, 2019, officials say.