EH Ordinance Officer Charged With Sexual Abuse Of A Minor

An East Hampton Town ordinance enforcement officer was charged on Friday, July 20, by East Hampton Town police with sexually abusing a child under the age of 13. Maximilliano “Max” Fabian Amaya, 25, of Springs, was arraigned Saturday morning on two counts, sexually abusing a child under 13, a felony, as well as a misdemeanor charge of acting in a manner injurious to a child. “He adamantly denies that this happened,” Carl Irace, who represented Amaya for the arraignment, told Justice Steven Tekulsky. Bail was set at $7500.

According to the police, Amaya was acquainted with the victim, whose name is being withheld because of the nature of the charges. A couple of days after the incident, Amaya allegedly again approached the victim to request that nobody be told about what happened. Police said the child told the mother, who then told them about the incident.

The youth was interviewed by police late Friday afternoon. Less than three hours later, Amaya was taken into custody. According to the police, Amaya admitted to inappropriately touching the youth.

Irace told the court, in arguing for a lower bail amount Saturday morning, that Amaya has lived in East Hampton almost his entire life, is a graduate of East Hampton High School, and a former East Hampton Village traffic control officer who has been employed by the town’s ordinance department since 2016. “His risk of flight is low,” Irace said.

Justice Tekulsky agreed that Amaya has strong ties to the community, and has never been arrested, but pointed to “the serious nature of the charges” as a major factor in setting the $7500 bail. He also issued an order of protection for the youth. Amaya’s mother and stepfather were in court for the arraignment, and said they would be posting bail.

t.e@indyeastend.com