Police

Police investigating possible third victim of accused Flanders child rapist

Reid

Investigators are looking into a possible third victim of an alleged child rapist arraigned in Southampton Town Justice Court Friday morning, prosecutors said.

Shawn Reid, 26, of Flanders was accused of rape following a 10-week-long investigation by town police and Suffolk County Child Protective Services into the alleged abuse of two girls, ages 6 and 7, according to Southampton Town police.

The alleged abuse took place during the summer of 2009, according to justice court documents.

Mr. Reid was arrested at police headquarters Thursday by Southampton police detectives and charged with two felony counts of first-degree rape, said police Lt. James Kiernan.

The prosecutor at Mr. Reid’s arraignment, assistant district attorney Carla Egan, said authorities are investigating a third victim, who lives outside the Southampton Town jurisdiction. Ms. Egan also said Mr. Reid admitted to having sexual contact with the two girls.

She asked for the court to set a high bail in the case due to the severity of the charges.

Mr. Reid’s court-appointed attorney, Michael Dipresso, said the man had a “mental disability of some kind,” so any confessions would not carry the same weight in court. Mr. Reid has lived in Flanders all his life, Mr. Dipresso said, and is currently on disability and does not work.

Mr. Dipresso said his client lives with his mother and brother, who — along with Mr. Reid’s uncle — were in court to support him. The defense attorney asked for a lower bail of $10,000, which was rejected by the court.

Mr. Reid was held on $250,000 cash bail or $500,000 bond. Orders of protection were also issued barring Mr. Reid from approaching the alleged victims.

He is due back in court next week and a grand jury that could indict Mr. Reid on county criminal charges is set to review the case.

Photo caption: Shawn Reid, 26, of Flanders, seen here in a police mugshot, was arrested on first-degree rape charges. (Credit: Southampton Town Police)