Bellport man convicted of raping teen during burglary spree
Eric Freeman burglarized four homes across Suffolk County between June and July 2021. All four residences were occupied by women at the times of the break-ins.
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A Bellport man faces a possible life sentence after he was convicted on Friday of raping a 16-year-old girl during a burglary spree among other crimes, according to the Suffolk County District Attorney’s Office.
Prosecutors say Eric Freeman burglarized four homes across Suffolk County between June and July 2021. All four residences were occupied by women at the times of the break-ins.
Freeman entered a Bay Shore residence on June 22, 2021 in which the 16-year-old victim was home alone. Freeman sexually assaulted the teen and threatened to kill her when she screamed for help, according to a report.
Just three days later, Freeman attempted to burglarize a home in Bellport while harassing a woman who was inside, claiming he was looking for water.
Freeman entered the same home a week later, attempting to rape another woman who was alone in an apartment attached to the house. Prior to leaving, Freeman attempted to choke the woman. He returned to the home three days later to “taunt and harass” her, according to prosecutors.
On July 12, 2021, Freeman entered another Bellport home while a mother and her 11-year-old son were inside and stole money and other personal items.
On July 16, 2021, Freeman entered a Huntington Station apartment where a mother and her 7-year-old daughter were home. Freeman stole money and choked the woman in front of her child. He fled the home after the mother started screaming and banging on the walls to the apartment next door.
While he was being held in jail for these charges in Nov. 2023, Freeman was indicted on a felony count of conspiracy for allegedly attempting to smuggle fentanyl into the correctional facility. That case is still pending.
Prior to these crimes, Freeman was determined to be a sex offender following a 1990 juvenile offense conviction. He was later convicted of failing to register as a sex offender in June 2021.
Freeman was convicted of 15 felonies and nine misdemeanors on Friday for his burglary spree, including multiple counts of rape, burglary, sexual assault and endangering the welfare of a child.
His sentencing is scheduled for March 20.
