Peekskill police officer pleads not guilty in stalking, sex abuse case

A Peekskill police officer accused of stalking and sexually abusing a woman he had threatened with arrest pleaded not guilty today to a 20-count indictment.

Michael Agovino was arrested on Feb. 13, three weeks after the woman recorded her latest interaction with him. It was at her apartment where he ordered her to undress and groped her, authorities said.

A grand jury recently indicted the 33-year-old Orangetown resident. Today he made a brief appearance in Westchester County Court, where County Court Judge Susan Cacace continued his $100,000 bond, which he posted in February.

Because the coronavirus has curtailed most court functions, the judge administratively adjourned the matter until May 12, delaying any defense motions in the case.

Agovino's lawyer, Andrew Quinn, declined to comment afterward.

Following Agovino's arrest, Westchester District Attorney Anthony Scarpino held a press conference at which he urged any other potential victims to come forward. The District Attorney's Office would not say today whether any others had.

"This indictment shows that no police officer should ever get away with abusing the power entrusted to them," Scarpino said in a statement. "And once again, we want to assure victims of any crime they should feel safe coming forward. We are here to help.”

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According to court documents, Agovino told the woman in July that he was investigating a larceny. They went to her apartment, where he allegedly groped her after ordering her to strip so he could check for stolen money.

He returned sometime later that month, giving her the choice of stripping or performing oral sex. When she took off her clothes, he groped her, according to authorities.

The indictment suggests that Agovino tried to get into the woman's home on Sept. 11 and also entered the apartment sometime between Sept. 23 and October 26. There are no charges suggesting any sexual activity during those incidents.

The most serious charge Agovino faces is second-degree burglary, a felony punishable by up to 15 years in prison. There are six counts of that, including three as a sexually motivated felony. Agovino is accused of entering the woman's home with the intent of sexually abusing her.

He is also charged with attempted second-degree burglary, first-degree sexual abuse, first degree stalking and falsifying business records, all felonies, and misdemeanor charges of third-degree coercion, official misconduct and forcible touching.

Following his arrest, Agovino was placed on administrative leave. He spent more than two days in the Westchester County jail before posting bail.

Twitter: @jonbandler