A Mount Saint Mary College student turned himself into City of Newburgh Police Wednesday after being accused of raping another student

Anthony Pennachio Jr., 19, originally from Brooklyn, was charged with rape in the first degree after he turned himself in to the City of Newburgh Police Department.  According to a press release from the City of Newburgh Police Department, “the criminal investigation into this incident reveals the potential of additional victims that may have been sexually assaulted” by Pennachio.

According to the complaint, Pennachio “intentionally, knowingly and unlawfully” raped another student on February 27 at 1 a.m. on campus in a Sakac Hall suite. His charge for rape in the first degree is for his engagement in vaginal sexual intercourse with a female by forcible compulsion, restraining her neck with his hand during the interaction. 

On March 3, he was processed and held on bail. He was arraigned virtually on March 4 at 9 a.m. 

“Our main concern, as always, is the safety and wellbeing of our students, faculty, and staff,” said Dr. Jason Adsit, President of Mount Saint Mary College. “Violence and sexual assault are completely at odds with the values of Mount Saint Mary College, and will not be tolerated on this campus.”

The school has been cooperating with the City of Newburgh Police Department and it is an ongoing criminal investigation. 

Mount Saint Mary College has been active in preventing violence on its campus with additional Title IX training as part of new student orientation for all freshman and transfer students. 

“The college’s Coordinated Community Response team, which includes partnerships with police and local agencies, meets regularly to discuss the prevention of sexual assault, dating violence, and more, both on and off campus,” read a statement from the college. “The team provides support and counseling services to all Mount students who request them. The college has also had a working relationship with the Campus Sexual Assault Victims Unit of New York since the unit was established in 2015.”

If Pennachio is charged, it is a mandatory state prison sentence. 

Police are asking if there are any individuals that have been victimized by Pennachio, or if someone knows of an individual who was sexually assaulted by Pennachio, to please contact Detective Erik Eltz at (845) 569-7560.