A Centereach man has pleaded guilty to raping a 6-year-old girl in October 2021, according to the Suffolk County district attorney.

Suffolk County District Attorney Raymond Tierney says 34-year-old Jose Romero gave the girl pocket change after he raped her. He then told her not to tell her parents about what he had done to her.

The victim immediately disclosed the abuse to her parents who contacted police.

The child was brought to Stony Brook University Hospital where a sexual assault nurse examiner recovered DNA evidence linking Romero to the rape.

A judge ordered Romero to be held without bail.

Romero faces 12 years in prison, along with 10 years of post-release supervision, and to be registered as a sex offender upon sentencing.

He is scheduled to be sentenced next month.