POUGHKEEPSIE – A man who admitted to raping a minor in Kingston last year but had the case dismissed and the records sealed has been arrested on two counts of felony rape, felony disseminating indecent material to a minor, and criminal possession of a firearm by the City of Poughkeepsie police.
Poughkeepsie resident Ericq Pesante, 32, was arrested Wednesday afternoon, June 24, at 3 p.m. by City of Poughkeepsie detectives, assisted by the Poughkeepsie Joint SWAT Team and the Gun Involved Violence Elimination (GIVE) Detail, when they executed a search warrant at Pesante’s residence at 173 Union Street, Apartment 1.
At the time of his arrest, Pesante was allegedly illegally in possession of a loaded Walther PPK .380 semi-auto pistol.
Wednesday’s arrest followed an investigation into Pesante regarding allegations that he sexually assaulted a minor who was not the same victim from Kingston.
The Kingston case involving Pesante, who was arrested by Kingston police in October 2025, included statements from cops that Pesante admitted to “engaging in a sexual relationship” with the minor. Kingston police arrested Pesante after a juvenile female identified him as the man she had sex with. He was interviewed and allegedly admitted to engaging in the relationship. After his arraignment in Kingston City Court, Pesante posted a $25,000 bond and was released.
According to a report from the , Kingston police said they were prepared to prosecute, but Ulster County Emmanuel Nneji dismissed and immediately sealed the charges on March 9, 2026.
Pesante is being held by Poughkeepsie police pending his arraignment.
The investigation remains active. Anyone with information regarding this case is encouraged to contact the City of Poughkeepsie Police Department Confidential Tip Line at (845) 451-7577.
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