Kingston man sentenced in 2023 child sex abuse case

KINGSTON, N.Y. (NEWS10)-- A Kingston man received four and a half years in prison after pleading guilty to child sex abuse. Carlos Fernando Pinola Pop, 41, pleaded guilty in August for the assault that happened in September 2023.

Law enforcement became informed about the assault after a third-party community member notified them about it. Court officials said the child told her mother, who told the third-party community member.

Pinola Pop admitted to subjecting a child under the age of eight to sexual abuse on September 25, 2023. The Ulster County District Attorney's office said that Pinola Pop confessed about the sexual contact to the Kingston Police Department and in open court.

An Ulster County judge imposed a longer sentence than initially agreed upon after Pinola Pop didn't take responsibility for his actions in a later interview with the Ulster County Probation Department, saying he accidentally touched the victim. Special Victims Bureau Chief Jenna Hastings said crimes like Pinola Pop's are the most heinous crimes in the county.

"It takes a lot of courage for anyone to report sex offenses, let alone a
seven-year-old little girl," Hastings said. "I commend her bravery, and I am glad our office was successful in finding her the justice she deserved."