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A jury unanimously found Michael Cunningham, 68, of Brewster, guilty of sexually abusing his then 6-year-old victim. Cunningham faces 14 years in prison and lifetime registration as a sex offender when he is sentenced July 22 in Putnam County Court.
Cunningham was employed as a Brewster Central School District bus driver from 2000 to 2004, according to lohud.com.
“I applaud the tremendous courage and remarkable bravery the (now) 7 year old victim showed by coming forward and confronting her abuser in court,” said District Attorney Adam Levy. “By breaking her silence and finding her voice, she allowed my office to do its job which, in the end, will make Putnam County a safer place. She is an inspiration to us all,” said Levy.
Cunningham was arrested July 25, 2014, following an investigation into the sexual abuse charges.
The case was prosecuted by Assistant District Attorney Danielle Pascale who, along with Special Crimes Investigator Lourdes Gonzalez, Sheriff’s Investigator John Alfano, federal investigators from the United States Department of Homeland Security, interagency cooperation and teamwork, were able to investigate and successfully prosecute Cunningham.
This verdict marks the third successful prosecution and conviction of a violent felony sex offense in Putnam County since March 2015. The first, Julio Soto, was sentenced to 57 years in state prison by Judge James F. Reitz. The second, Victor Cruz-Garcia, is awaiting sentencing by Judge James T. Rooney, but faces 50 years in state prison.
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