Sex Offender Convicted Of Raping 13-Year-Old Girl In Gravesend

A violent sex offender has been convicted of raping a 13-year-old Gravesend girl in the basement laundry room of her apartment building, after threatening her with scissors.

Bennett Castello, 42, of East 29th Street in Midwood, was convicted yesterday of two counts of predatory sexual assault, two counts of first-degree rape, one count of first-degree sexual abuse, and one count of first-degree burglary as a sexually motivated felony, according to prosecutors.

“This defendant’s brutal attack on an innocent and defenseless child is unforgiveable. He has proven himself unfit to live in a civilized society and now must be locked up as punishment for his deplorable crimes and to protect others,” said District Attorney Ken Thompson.

According to trial testimony, on April 29, 2013, at around 3:30pm, the victim entered her West 2nd Street apartment building and was followed into the elevator by Castello. He then pressed the button for the basement and forced her out while threatening her with scissors.

Castello forced the girl into the laundry room where he groped and raped her, threatening to kill her if she told anyone, according to the testimony. After the Costello fled, the victim ran upstairs to her apartment, told her parents what happened, and they called 911.

Castello was convicted of a sex crime against someone over 21 in 1998, and was classified as a sexually violent sex offender, according to reports.

Brooklyn Supreme Court Justice Danny Chun set a sentencing date for March 18. Castello faces 25 years to life in prison for the top count.