Man Sentenced For Sexually Assaulting and Beating Female

Albany County District Attorney Lee C. Kindlon announced today that a 58-year-old man has been sentenced to state prison for sexually assaulting and attacking an acquaintance and threatening her with a knife.

Richard Roark was sentenced by the Honorable William Little on Friday to serve two years in prison followed by 10 years of post-release supervision after pleading guilty to Aggravated Sexual Abuse in the Third Degree.

Roark, who was homeless at the time, was staying with a female friend who had offered a spot in her Cohoes home to him while he tried to get back on his feet. On the night of July 31, 2024, Roark attacked the victim with no warning, grabbing her hair, pulling her across the floor and punching her in the face. Roark then used a foreign object to sexually assault the victim. He grabbed a knife and threatened to kill her if she didn't keep quiet.

The victim suffered a black eye and bleeding on the brain. On Friday, she told the court that she suffers from post-traumatic stress disorder from the attack.

"That night my mental and physical health were destroyed by the hands of Richard Roark," said the woman as she read from a victim impact statement. "In previous years, Richard has always shown respect to me. Little did I know he would turn into a monster that night."

Roark will be required to register with the NYS sex offender registry upon completion of his prison sentence.

The victim was assisted by Crime Victims Advocate Imani Whitfield, and Assistant District Attorney Jacob Sheingold of the Special Victims Bureau prosecuted the case.