Suffolk County District Attorney Raymond A. Tierney has announced the indictment of Alfred Balcerak III, a 65-year-old resident of Deer Park. Balcerak faces charges including Endangering the Welfare of an Incompetent or Physically Disabled Person in the First Degree and Forcible Touching. The charges stem from allegations that he impersonated a housing specialist from the Department of Social Services and sexually abused a resident at a homeless shelter.
District Attorney Tierney commented on the case, stating, "The allegations against the defendant are extremely troubling. Crimes that target the homeless and mentally disabled are particularly heinous, as these victims are often isolated and lack the resources to defend themselves."
According to investigators, on September 6, 2024, Balcerak allegedly entered a homeless shelter in East Farmingdale under false pretenses. He reportedly claimed to be from the Department of Social Services to offer housing services information. Using an expired driver's license and insurance card for identification, he signed in as an employee from the department.
Inside the shelter, Balcerak allegedly sought out males aged 18 to 22 who needed housing assistance and was introduced to a disabled victim. It is alleged that once alone with this individual, Balcerak posed as a home health aide and offered help with showering. During this time, he allegedly made inappropriate advances towards the victim who instructed him to stop. Before leaving, Balcerak is accused of taking the victim's cell phone.
Balcerak was apprehended by Suffolk County Police at his Deer Park residence on September 13, 2024.
On October 3, 2024, he appeared before Acting Supreme Court Justice Karen M. Wilutis for arraignment on several charges: Endangering the Welfare of an Incompetent or Physically Disabled Person in the First Degree (a Class E felony), Forcible Touching (a Class A misdemeanor), Petit Larceny (a Class A misdemeanor), Criminal Impersonation in the Second Degree (a Class A misdemeanor), and Sexual Abuse in the Third Degree (a Class B misdemeanor).
Justice Wilutis set bail at $150,000 cash or $500,000 bond or $1 million partially secured bond. Balcerak's next court appearance is scheduled for October 24, 2024. He is represented by attorney Matthew Tuohy.
Assistant District Attorney Kapish Barry from the Major Crime Bureau is prosecuting this case. The investigation involved Detective Maria Acevedo from Suffolk County Police Department’s Special Victims Section and Detective Alexander Seda from its First Squad Detective Section.