NORWICH – A man accused of breaking into a woman’s home to steal her underwear was released without bail from the Chenango County Correctional Facility Friday at the strenuous objection of prosecutors and as the victim’s family expressed concern for her safety.
City of Norwich Police arrested 21-year-old Joshua D. Derouchie of 7 State St., Norwich, on Sept. 4 after they received a complaint that he was posting offensive images of the victim online.
Police said they discovered the posted images contained articles of clothing that were stolen from the victim’s home more than a year earlier.
Assistant District Attorney Michael D. Ferrarese told Chenango County Court Judge W. Howard Sullivan that Derouchie had admitted to breaking into the victim’s home on two of the three alleged incidents.
He also said the defendant told investigators he committed sexual acts with the clothing before posting pictures of the victim and her garments on the Internet. The ADA then said Derouchie encouraged others to commit similar sexual acts with the images online.
Derouchie was charged with two counts of second degree burglary and one count of third degree burglary, all felonies. One of the second degree burglary counts was listed as a sexually motivated crime and may require Derouchie to register as sex offender for no less than 20 years if he is convicted.
Defense Attorney Frank Revoir asked for his client’s release, saying he had already served 60 days since his arrest.
“This is a man accused of breaking into a woman’s home a year and a half ago and stealing undergarments, who was arrested weeks ago after he took pictures of the victim and her clothing and posted them online,” said Revoir.
Revoir pointed out that a number of people in the audience were there to support Derouchie, including the defendant’s mother.
“He cooperated with law enforcement and came into the PD before being charged. Again, he’s a young man that one and a half years ago he walked into the back door of someone he knew, into their home, which is still technically a crime,” said Revoir.
The defense attorney also said Derouchie was enrolled in college and working at the time of his arrest. Revoir said a number of people were willing to vouch for his client if Derouchie were released into their custody.
Ferrarese noted for the record that the DA’s Office “strenuously” objected to the release and said the victim in the case never shared any relationship with the defendant calling Derouchie, “a stalker.”
“We believe this obsession needs to be treated immediately,” he said. “The defendant has broken into a home, on more than one occasion, for the thrill of stealing underpants.”
Sullivan also asked Norwich Police Chief Joseph Angelino for his recommendation in court.
Angelino responded by saying, “He’s done a lot of damage by using the Internet and posting those photos. The genie is out of the bottle.”
Angelino recommended that if Derouchie was released, the court should deny him access to the Internet and computers.
Ferrarese said the victim in the case was “too horrified” to come to court. Sullivan asked her mother, who was in court, to speak on the family’s behalf.
“I’m here to tell you the biggest thing we’re facing right now is a fear for (victim)’s safety. I hope this court will protect her,” she told the judge. “I put my faith in your judgment to protect her.”
Sullivan responded, “You tell her we will, that we have.”
Sullivan issued an order of protection on the victim’s behalf, banned Derouchie from Internet use and told the mother he was looking at “an extended period of incarceration,” if convicted.
“But this is a country where people are presumed innocent until proven guilty,” said Sullivan before releasing Derouchie to the custody of a relative in Oxford.