A Canandaigua man has been convicted of criminal sexual act in the first degree for assaulting a developmentally delayed 11-year-old child, the Ontario County District Attorney’s Office announced on June 12.
Dakota Murphy, 19, was found guilty by an Ontario County jury for engaging in oral sexual conduct with the child in early 2024. The case was prosecuted by Assistant District Attorneys Kelly Wolford and Kristin Sippel, and investigated by Detective Anthony Catalfamo and Sgt. Peter Mastracy of the Canandaigua Police Department.
Murphy faces up to 25 years in prison when he is sentenced on June 26 before Supreme Court Justice Victoria M. Argento.
“The guilty verdict against Dakota Murphy brought some level of justice to the young child whom Murphy preyed upon,” said District Attorney James B. Ritts. “The bravery of this child to come to court and testify… is unbelievable. The jury’s verdict of guilty proves once again that the voice of a child does matter.”
Ritts also praised the police investigators for their quick response and for securing a confession from Murphy. “Ontario County’s children are safer today with Dakota Murphy in jail,” he said.
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