Saratoga County District Attorney Karen A. Heggen announces that following a trial that spanned over three weeks, a Saratoga County Jury convicted Sean M. Cherven (DOB 3/6/1986), of State Route 29, Town of Milton, of Rape in the First Degree, in violation of New York State Penal Law Section 130.35(1), a Class “B” Violent Felony; Sexual Abuse in the First Degree, in violation of NYS Penal Law Section 130.65(1), a Class “D” Violent Felony; and Rape in the Third Degree, in violation of NYS Penal Law Section 130.25(3) in connection with an incident that occurred on March 19, 2024 in the Town of Milton. The jury returned the three guilty verdicts after approximately one hour of deliberation. The Hon. Lorraine Diamond, Acting Saratoga County Court Judge, presided over the trial.
The prosecution called over 10 witnesses during the trial. Among the witnesses were the victim, who took the stand and described the defendant’s violent sexual attack and the facts and circumstances surrounding the criminal conduct. Among the witnesses called by the defense was Defendant Cherven, who took the stand in his own defense maintaining throughout his testimony that he did not have any sexual contact with the victim as alleged in the Indictment. A Sexual Assault Nurse Examiner was called by the prosecution and testified to the extensive examination of the victim that took place at Saratoga Hospital following the sexual attack. In addition, two witnesses from the NYSP Forensic Investigations Center testified about the scientific and DNA evidence collected in the case, which the jury determined conclusively linked the defendant to the sexual assault.
Following the verdict, Judge Diamond remanded the Defendant into the custody of the Saratoga County Sheriff’s Department. Defendant Cherven faces up to a maximum of thirty-two (32) years in State Prison on the three separate convictions, which can be served consecutively when he is sentenced on September 9, 2025.
District Attorney Heggen thanked members of the Saratoga County Sheriff’s Department, including Deputy Leah Howe, Investigators Samuel Speziale and Nicholas Hess, local healthcare providers, and the crime victims for their hard work, perseverance, and commitment to ensuring that justice was done. Heggen noted that “…the victim in this case overcame many challenges and obstacles and bravely testified about the crimes committed by Defendant Cherven in March of 2024.”
The case was prosecuted by Assistant District Attorneys Meghan A. Horton and Jennifer L. Pratt together with District Attorney’s Office Investigator Joseph Iwaniec.