Francis Buckheit, of East Islip, charged in connection with disappearance of East Patchogue teen, court records show
A criminal complaint accuses 64-year-old Francis Buckheit of abducting the teen and keeping her on his boat at White Cap Marina in Islip. Credit: John Roca
A 64-year-old man has been charged with rape and kidnapping in the case of a 14-year-old East Patchogue girl whose 25-day disappearance gained widespread attention on social media since she went missing Dec. 9.
The defendant is identified in court papers as Francis Buckheit of East Islip.
Suffolk County police confirmed Monday that an arrest was made in the case, referring all questions to the Suffolk County District Attorney's Office.
Suffolk County District Attorney Ray Tierney told Newsday the investigation is ongoing and the case is being presented to a grand jury. He said he would expect an indictment within the next week.
Tierney declined to share many details about the case, citing the victim’s age. Newsday does not disclose the identities of alleged child sex abuse victims.
"At the end of the grand jury we’ll have charges, and at that time, we will discuss those charges," Tierney said, explaining the difficulties of discussing a high-profile case whereas a matter of policy and law his office would not disclose many details already made public by family and media seeking to find her.
Tierney said it will be up to the grand jury if more people are charged in the investigation, which he described as an ongoing effort between his office, the Suffolk police and sheriff’s departments and U.S. Marshals.
"I can tell you that if people think that they could engage in this type of behavior with regard to a child and not have ramifications, well, we'll see what the grand jury thinks about that," Tierney said. "I thank God that this child is now safe, but we're going to certainly look into the circumstances behind how she went missing and the responsible parties."
A criminal complaint accuses Buckheit of abducting the teen and keeping her on his boat at White Cap Marina in Islip, "where she was unlikely to be found," before repeatedly abusing her. The records allege the teen was held by Buckheit beginning Dec. 12, three days after police said she was last seen.
The court records base the charges on statements given by the teen and another female witness.
Buckheit was charged with first-degree kidnapping, second-degree rape and endangering the welfare of a child. He is additionally facing driving while intoxicated and other vehicular crimes related to the circumstances of his arrest Friday, court records show.
He pleaded not guilty at his arraignment Saturday and is due back in court Thursday, court records show. District Court Judge Stephen Ukeiley remanded him to the county jail.
Buckheit’s court-appointed attorney, Danielle Papa, of Hauppauge, did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
A 64-year-old man has been charged with rape and kidnapping in the case of a 14-year-old East Patchogue girl whose 25-day disappearance gained widespread attention on social media since she went missing Dec. 9.
The defendant is identified in court papers as Francis Buckheit of East Islip.
Suffolk County police confirmed Monday that an arrest was made in the case, referring all questions to the Suffolk County District Attorney's Office.
Suffolk County District Attorney Ray Tierney told Newsday the investigation is ongoing and the case is being presented to a grand jury. He said he would expect an indictment within the next week.
Tierney declined to share many details about the case, citing the victim’s age. Newsday does not disclose the identities of alleged child sex abuse victims.
"At the end of the grand jury we’ll have charges, and at that time, we will discuss those charges," Tierney said, explaining the difficulties of discussing a high-profile case whereas a matter of policy and law his office would not disclose many details already made public by family and media seeking to find her.
Tierney said it will be up to the grand jury if more people are charged in the investigation, which he described as an ongoing effort between his office, the Suffolk police and sheriff’s departments and U.S. Marshals.
"I can tell you that if people think that they could engage in this type of behavior with regard to a child and not have ramifications, well, we'll see what the grand jury thinks about that," Tierney said. "I thank God that this child is now safe, but we're going to certainly look into the circumstances behind how she went missing and the responsible parties."
A criminal complaint accuses Buckheit of abducting the teen and keeping her on his boat at White Cap Marina in Islip, "where she was unlikely to be found," before repeatedly abusing her. The records allege the teen was held by Buckheit beginning Dec. 12, three days after police said she was last seen.
The court records base the charges on statements given by the teen and another female witness.
Buckheit was charged with first-degree kidnapping, second-degree rape and endangering the welfare of a child. He is additionally facing driving while intoxicated and other vehicular crimes related to the circumstances of his arrest Friday, court records show.
He pleaded not guilty at his arraignment Saturday and is due back in court Thursday, court records show. District Court Judge Stephen Ukeiley remanded him to the county jail.
Buckheit’s court-appointed attorney, Danielle Papa, of Hauppauge, did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
Grant Parpan covers Suffolk County courts and federal courts for Newsday. A Long Island native, he joined Newsday in 2022.
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