Orient farmer Steven Mezynieski charged with rape, police say

An Orient businessman who owns a historic farm was charged Thursday with raping a girl over the course of three years, state police said.

Steven Mezynieski, age 44, was arraigned on first-degree rape and first-degree criminal sex act in Southold Town Court and released on a $25,000 bail, police said.

He first had sexual relations when the girl was underage, police said. Under New York state law, both of the charges cover sexual relations with someone less than 11 years old or in cases when the defendant is at least 18 years old and the victim less than 13 years old.

Mezynieski owns the 140-acre Driftwood Farms, which board horses and grow privet hedges, and an excavation and road construction business.

“My client adamantly denies the allegations,” said his attorney Edward D. Burke Jr. of Sag Harbor. “We look forward to addressing these charges in a court of law and clearing Mr. Mezynieski’s name.”

Burke said Mezynieski was accused of having a sexual relationship with the girl from 2012 to 2014.

The investigation started a week ago after state police received a complaint from a concerned citizen, said Lt. Pete Healey, head of the bureau of criminal investigations for state police on Long Island.

He said Mezynieski was cooperative and questioned as part of an intense, weeklong investigation that led to Connecticut and other places, the lieutenant said.

Healey declined to give other details, citing the victim’s privacy and the ongoing investigation.

State police ask any other possible victims to contact them at 631-756-3300.