New Paltz – Melvin Espinosa Jr, 38, of New Paltz, was arrested on February 16, 2023, following a January 16, 2023 report of sexual assault that occurred at a hotel in town. The 16-year-old victim was treated for injuries at St. Luke’s-Cornwall Montefiore Hospital in Newburgh for her injuries. New Paltz Police Detectives interviewed the teen at the hospital.
The detectives allege that Espinosa met the teen online and arranged for her to meet him in New Paltz where he eventually sexually assaulted her at the hotel.
Espinosa was arraigned in New Paltz Justice Court on February 16, 2023, on felony rape and two felony counts of criminal sexual act. He was remanded to the Ulster County Jail on a $100,000 cash bail or $250,000 bond. The defendant was scheduled to appear for a preliminary hearing in New Paltz Justice Court on Tuesday evening.
