Man sentenced to 20 years in prison for violent sexual assault

Niagara County Prosecutor Brian D. Seaman announced Friday, June 21, that Duvan A. Berrio-Hernandez, of no permanent address, was sentenced today in County Court by Judge Caroline Wojtaszek to serve the next 20 years in state prison for his felony conviction. First degree sexual act. Berrio-Hernandez previously admitted to sexually assaulting a woman in Niagara Falls on November 5 of last year.

Seaman said: “What happened to this young woman was simply the realization of her worst nightmare. This defendant spotted her walking, began following her and then exposed himself to her in a lewd manner. She tried to call for help, screamed for help, but couldn't. The accused then chased her, pushed her to the ground and sexually assaulted her while threatening her with a knife. This individual was in this country illegally. I do not know the details of his arrival in the United States or Niagara Falls, but he clearly represents the most extreme risk to our community. He will now be imprisoned here for the next 20 years for his despicable crime, and then hopefully deported.”

The case was investigated by the Niagara Falls Police Department and prosecuted by Special Victims Unit Office Chief Heather Nicholson.