HF Police Arrest Two Men; Face Kidnapping And Sexual Assault Charges

by Bea Peterson
Twenty year old Dong Van Huynh and 21 year old Jorge Andino, both of Worcester, MA, are being held in the Rensselaer County Jail. They face charges in New York and Vermont and possible Federal charges resulting in their involvement with a 13 year old Hoosick Falls girl Van Huynh met through Myspace®.
Hoosick Falls Assistant Police Chief John Sotile stopped their car for speeding on Wednesday, March 23. Further investigation by Sotile brought to light the fact that the pair had taken the 13 year old to a motel in Bennington where she and Van Huynh had engaged in sexual activity.
The men appeared before Judge Thomas Restino on Thursday charged with endangering the welfare of a child, a misdemeanor. They were remanded to the Rensselaer County Jail. Bail for Andino was set at $25,000. Bail for Van Huynh is $50,000. Arrest warrants on felony charges of kidnapping and aggravated sexual assault have been issued by the state of Vermont. Albany FBI agents are also investigating the case.
Rensselaer County First Assistant District Attorney Art Glass said the pair may face additional charges here.
Education On Predators
In March NYS Trooper George Murphy spoke to Hoosick Falls Central School students in grades k through 12 regarding cyber-bullying and internet predators. High School principal Stacy Vadney said all the school’s computer courses emphasize safe internet use and the school has software that blocks out inappropriate websites. Vadney said the teachers have been discussing having a program for parents to bring them up to date on computer and cell phone features  that can be blocked from use by young people.