Newark, NY-- NYS Justice Center for the Protection of People with Special Needs Special Prosecutor Patricia E. Gunning today announced that Steven Tomlin (DOB: 05/02/77), who was employed by Finger Lakes Addictions, Counseling & Referral Agency, Inc. (FLACRA) as a night supervisor, has been indicted by a Wayne County grand jury on charges of rape and sexual abuse following a joint investigation conducted by the Justice Center and the Newark Police Department. The program is licensed by the NYS Office of Alcoholism and Substance Abuse Services (OASAS).

The incident first came to the attention of law enforcement officials when it was reported to the Justice Center’s Vulnerable Persons Central Register (VPCR) Hotline. A call center representative opened a case tracking file and Justice Center investigators launched an investigation.

“I would like to extend my appreciation to the Newark Police Department and the NYS Division of Parole for their key assistance during this investigation,” said Gunning. “This type of joint response strengthens and supports our efforts to hold individuals who prey on people with special needs accountable for their actions.”

Tomlin, who is a resident of Waterloo, was arraigned on a 14-count indictment charging him with:

• Three counts of Rape in the third degree, a class “E” Felony;
• Three counts of a Criminal Sexual Act in the third degree, a class “E” Felony;
• Two counts of Sexual Abuse in the third degree, a class “A” Misdemeanor; and
• Six counts of Sexual Misconduct, a class “A” Misdemeanor.

According to the indictment, Tomlin is alleged to have engaged in sexual acts with the victim on three separate occasions at a halfway house. Under the law, a victim who is receiving treatment in a residential facility under the jurisdiction of OASAS is incapable of giving consent.

The defendant was held on $50,000 bail. He has been terminated from his position. The case is being prosecuted by Justice Center Assistant Special Prosecutor Rachel Dunn.

The Justice Center and its statewide hotline and incident reporting system began operations on June 30,
2013. It is staffed 24-hours a day, seven days a week by trained professionals who receive reports of
allegations of abuse and neglect of people with special needs. Once a report is received by its Vulnerable
Persons Central Register (VPCR) Hotline, it is logged and assessed. Serious cases of abuse or neglect are
assigned to the Justice Center’s investigation team or, when appropriate, to a local law enforcement agency for follow-up.

The Justice Center also maintains a statewide registry of all persons who have been found to be
responsible for serious or repeated acts of abuse and neglect. Once placed on the registry, known as the
“Staff Exclusion List” or SEL, they are prohibited by law from ever working again with people with
disabilities or special needs.

The Office of Alcoholism and Substance Abuse Services (OASAS) is one of six state agencies under the
jurisdiction of the Justice Center. The Justice Center also oversees certain facilities or programs that are
operated, licensed or certified by the Office for People With Developmental Disabilities (OPWDD), the
Office of Mental Health (OMH), the Department of Health (DOH), the Office of Children and Family Services
(OCFS), and the State Education Department (SED).

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Editor’s note: In compliance with Disciplinary Rule 7-107A of the Code of Professional Responsibility, you are advised that a charge is an accusation and that a defendant is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty.