On June 6, 2023, Keith Solana (DOB7/24/94), a resident of Schenectady, was sentenced after his guilty plea to one count of Rape in the First Degree. As part of the plea, Mr. Solana admitted to having sexual intercourse with a child under 13 years old. Judge Tatiana Coffinger sentenced Mr. Solana to 18 years determinate with 20 years of post-release supervision. A full stay away order of protection was issued for the victim and the Defendant is required to register as a sex offender just prior to his release from prison.
The above plea took in full satisfaction a three-count indictment that charged 3 counts of Predatory Sexual Assault of a Child. The plea agreement called for a reduction of the second count of the indictment. The defendant admitted to engaging in sexual intercourse with the child who was 12 years old at the time of the offense. The Defendant was known to victim from the community. On the day of the incident, the victim had been walking with a family friend to a local business. On the way, they encountered the Defendant who walked with them to their destination. Once at the business, the family friend went inside the business while the Defendant stayed outside with the 12-year-old female victim. When the family friend came out of the business, the Defendant asked if they wanted to go back to his apartment. The victim wanted to go to his apartment, so the family friend allowed her to go with Solana. Once the Defendant got the victim back to his apartment, he led her to the basement. Once in the basement, the Defendant engaged in oral sexual conduct and sexual intercourse with the 12-year-old victim on the basement floor. Cameras from the business placed the Defendant with the victim at the local business and walking toward his apartment. Schenectady Youth Aid Bureau Detective Peter Verret investigated the case. The victim was interviewed at the Schenectady Child Advocacy Center where the child disclosed the sexual assault.
The People were represented by Assistant District Attorney Maria Apruzzese. The Defendant was represented by Attorney John Della Ratta.