NINE-COUNT INDICTMENT IN SEXUAL ASSAULT CASE

DELHI - Delaware County District Attorney Shawn J. Smith announced the indictment of Duane L. Gardepe, 61, of Masonville, New York. The Delaware County Grand Jury indicted Mr. Gardepe on May 16, 2024, and charged him with six felonies and three misdemeanors arising from an alleged sexual assault on May 9, 2024. 

Mr. Gardepe is accused of committing Attempted Rape in the First Degree, a Class C Felony, Kidnapping in the Second Degree, a Class B Felony, a Criminal Sexual Act in the 1st Degree, a Class B Felony, Aggravated Sexual Abuse in the Third Degree, a Class D Felony, Sexual Abuse in the First Degree, a Class D Felony, Unlawful Imprisonment in the First Degree, a Class E Felony, Menacing in Second Degree, a Class A Misdemeanor, and two counts of Criminal Mischief in the Fourth Degree, both Class A Misdemeanors. 

The defendant is alleged to have sexually assaulted the victim in this case at gunpoint while refusing to allow her to leave his residence.  If convicted, he faces up to twenty-five years in state prison on each of the Class B felonies and a mandatory post-release supervision period of up to twenty years. The victim, pursuant to office policy, is not being named.

District Attorney Shawn Smith commended Troopers Hoskins and Wright along with State Police Investigators Michelle Marshall and Ben Andrews for their quick response and action in this case.

Chief Assistant Richard D. Northrup Jr. presented the case to the Grand Jury

As are all persons accused of a crime, the defendant is presumed innocent unless proven guilty in a court of law.

Shawn J. Smith

District Attorney

Delaware County