South Ozone Park man sentenced for sexual abuse at daycare center

The Queens County Criminal Court building. Eagle file photo by David Brand

By David Brand

A South Ozone Park man who sexually abused two girls at a daycare center owned by his daughter will spend the next two years in prison.

Ramon Rodriguez, 77, was sentenced to two years behind bars after pleading guilty in January to first-degree sexual abuse for molesting at least two girls who attended the daycare. The girls were 5 and 7 years old when the persistent abuse began, prosecutors said.

“Sadly, this defendant took advantage of his access to his daughter’s childcare business and befriended these vulnerable youngsters for his own depraved desires,” Queens District Attorney Melinda Katz said. 

Queens prosecutors said Rodriguez forced one victim to touch his genitals and watch him as he touched himself over the course of roughly five years.

Justice Karen Gopee also sentenced Rodriguez to three years of post-release supervision.