Far Rockaway man convicted of sexually abusing 10-year-old girl

By Victoria Merlino

A Far Rockaway man was convicted of having sexual contact with a 10-year-old girl, Queens District Attorney Melinda Katz announced last Friday.

Joseph Petty, 40, moved into his girlfriend’s Jamaica apartment in August 2014, according to trial testimony. Starting that October, he would enter his girlfriend’s daughter’s room and at night and touch her chest area and genitals with his hands and mouth, in addition to having sexual contact with the girl. This conduct continued through January 2015. 

“The defendant on multiple occasions violated this little girl,who was just 10 years old at the time. A jury weighed all the evidence presented at trial and found the defendant guilty,” Katz said.

Petty faces up to 25 years in prison. His sentencing is set for Feb. 11.