PEOPLE v. ROMERO (2025)

DECISION & ORDER

Appeal by the defendant from a judgment of the County Court, Orange County (Craig Stephen Brown, J.), rendered October 3, 2022, convicting him of course of sexual conduct against a child in the first degree, upon his plea of guilty, and imposing sentence.

ORDERED that the judgment is affirmed.

The defendant was convicted of course of sexual conduct against a child in the first degree (Penal Law § 130.75[1][b]).  The County Court sentenced him to a determinate term of imprisonment of 18 years, to be followed by a period of postrelease supervision of 20 years.

The defendant's sole contention on appeal is that the sentence imposed was excessive.  However, the record demonstrates that the defendant knowingly, voluntarily, and intelligently waived his right to appeal (see People v. Bradshaw, 18 N.Y.3d 257, 264, 938 N.Y.S.2d 254, 961 N.E.2d 645;  People v. Lopez, 6 N.Y.3d 248, 256, 811 N.Y.S.2d 623, 844 N.E.2d 1145;  People v. Arenas, 239 A.D.3d 878, 878–879, 233 N.Y.S.3d 396).  Appellate review of the defendant's contention that the sentence was excessive is precluded by the valid waiver of his right to appeal (see People v. Arenas, 239 A.D.3d at 879, 233 N.Y.S.3d 396;  People v. Eastman, 234 A.D.3d 985, 986, 225 N.Y.S.3d 726;  People v. Todarello, 185 A.D.3d 970, 970–971, 125 N.Y.S.3d 886 ).

IANNACCI, J.P., MILLER, VOUTSINAS and GOLIA, JJ., concur.