CARMEL, NEW YORK – August 22, 2024 – Putnam County District Attorney Robert V. 
Tendy announced today that on August 21, 2024, Paul Giacopelli, a Southeast resident, pled 
guilty on Wednesday, August 21, to two violent felony offenses, Sexual Abuse in the First Degree 
and Assault in the Second Degree.
After a painstaking investigation by the Putnam County Sheriff’s office working with the victim 
and the District Attorney’s office, Giacopelli was arrested and ultimately confessed. At the time 
of his arrest, Giacopelli was the chief anesthesiologist at Putnam County Hospital. Evidence 
showed that Giacopelli used a chemical which rendered his victim unconscious. He then sexually 
abused her. 
He will be sentenced to four years in state prison with post release supervision for up to ten years. 
He must register as a sex offender under the Sex Offender Registration Act. 
The victim’s cooperation with the investigation and prosecution, and her bravery and willingness 
to testify resulted in the defendant’s guilty plea. 
 
District Attorney Tendy said “I’m very proud of the work of the Sheriff’s Department and ADA 
Lynch; but I’m mostly proud of the victim’s courage in going through this process which led to 
the defendant’s arrest and conviction.”
The case was investigated by Investigator Keith Simone and other members of the Putnam County 
Sheriff’s Office and prosecuted by Assistant District Attorneys Melissa Lynch.
Giacopelli is scheduled to be sentenced by County Court Judge Anthony Molé on November 20, 
2024.

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