A New York appellate court has modified the sentence of Santiago Reyes, who was convicted of kidnapping, rape, and endangering a child. The court's decision, made on October 28, 2026, affects Reyes' prison time and could influence future cases involving similar charges.

The ruling comes after Reyes appealed his conviction from a lower court. The original sentence included a lengthy prison term, but the appellate court found it necessary to adjust the punishment in the interest of justice.

Background

The case involves Santiago Reyes, who was convicted in 2018 of kidnapping in the second degree, rape in the third degree, and endangering the welfare of a child. The Supreme Court of Queens County sentenced him to a total of 12½ years in prison, with additional post-release supervision. Reyes, represented by attorneys Brian Perbix and Sam Feldman, appealed the conviction, challenging both the evidence and the length of his sentence.

The legal dispute began with Reyes' arrest and subsequent questioning by law enforcement. His defense argued that certain statements he made to police should have been suppressed, claiming they were obtained during a custodial interrogation without proper Miranda warnings. The case eventually reached the Appellate Division of the Supreme Court of New York, where judges reviewed the evidence and the lower court's decisions.

The Ruling

The Appellate Division, consisting of Justices Colleen D. Duffy, Barry E. Warhit, Lourdes M. Ventura, and Phillip Hom, modified Reyes' sentence. They reduced the kidnapping sentence from 12½ years to 10 years and ordered that all sentences run concurrently rather than consecutively. The court stated, "the judgment is modified, as a matter of discretion in the interest of justice." This change means Reyes will serve less time than initially ordered.

The court also addressed Reyes' claims regarding the suppression of his statements to law enforcement. They concluded that the statements were not the product of a custodial interrogation, citing that he was questioned in his sister's home, was not restrained, and was free to leave. The judges noted, "the evidence at the suppression hearing established that the defendant was questioned while in his sister's home, was not in handcuffs, was only speaking with one police officer, and was free to leave at any time or discontinue speaking."

Impact

This ruling has significant implications for Reyes and others in similar situations. By modifying the sentence, the court may set a precedent for future cases involving similar charges, particularly concerning the length of sentences for crimes against children. The decision emphasizes the importance of proper legal procedures during interrogations and the necessity of protecting defendants' rights.

Moreover, the court's ruling on the suppression of evidence highlights the standards that must be met for statements to be considered admissible in court. The outcome of this case may influence how law enforcement conducts interrogations and how courts handle similar appeals in the future.

What's Next

Reyes has the option to appeal the modified sentence, but details on whether he will pursue further legal action were not available in the court filing. There are no related cases pending that are directly connected to this ruling.