A Middletown man who previously skirted a murder charge has pleaded guilty to a sex crime involving a child, nearly a decade after the abuse occurred.

According to the Orange County District Attorney’s Office, Eusten Coppin admitted in court on July 3 to engaging in sexual intercourse with a child under the age of 13. The crime took place in June 2016. Coppin pleaded guilty to first-degree rape July 3.

Prosecutors are recommending a sentence of 12 years in prison, followed by 10 years of probation. Coppin will also be required to register as a sex offender, and a restraining order will prohibit him from contacting the victim.

Coppin had previously been charged in connection with the 2022 fatal stabbing of his former friend, but those murder charges were dropped in that separate case.

In a statement, the family of that earlier victim, Nicolas LaCatena, responded to the plea:

“We are happy that justice was served for this victim—even though it wasn’t for our son. He will finally be off the streets and behind bars where he belongs.”