A f accused of breaking into an apartment and engaging in sex acts with a dog was arraigned today in Westchester County Court on charges of burglary and sexual misconduct.
Kujtim Nicaj, 43, of 58 C Peck Avenue, Rye, has been indicted by a Westchester County grand jury in connection with a Feb. 8 incident at Rye Colony Cooperative Apartments, according to District Attorney Janet DiFiore.
Nicaj is charged with:
- one count of Burglary in the Second Degree, a class “C” Felony
- one count of Burglary in the Second Degree as a Sexually Motivated Felony, a class “C” Felony
- six counts of Sexual Misconduct, class “A” Misdemeanors.
DiFiore said Nicaj, who at the time was superintendent at Rye Colony Cooperative Apartments, entered the victim’s apartment without authorization. While inside, the Nicaj engaged in multiple sex acts with the owner’s 15 month old Labrador retriever dog, according to the indictment.
DiFiore said the conduct was recorded on "nanny cam" type device which the homeowner had previously set up.
The Rye City police were notified about the recorded incident and Nicaj was questioned and then arrested by Rye City police.
At today's arraignment, bail was continued at $100,000, pending a May 29 hearing in County Court in White Plains.
Nicaj faces a maximum sentence of 15 years in state prison, and if convicted of the felonies will have to register as a sex offender.
Assistant District Attorney Wendy Parra of the Sex Crimes Bureau and Assistant District Attorney Mary Ann Liebowitz of the Investigations Division are prosecuting the case.
Nicaj has surrendered his passport to the courts and a court order has been issued requiring him to stay away from the homeowner whose residence was involved.
Nicaj is a naturalized citizen and his attorneys said he does not have another passport.
At the outset of the arraignment today, Judge Susan Cacece asked both the prosecution and defense if they wanted to file a motion for her recusal from the case. However, neither side said that was necessary and Cacece said she would continue with the case.
The indictment includes statements from Nicaj to police. The indictment contends that Nicaj had previously been in the unit involved several times, most recently to fix a gas leak and check the stove. In the Feb. 8 incident, the indictment says Nicaj got into the unit by opening an unlocked window and reaching inside to open the front door.
The indictment details sex acts involving a dog, and includes statements from Nicaj that he became of animal sex while searching on the Internet on his computer at home while his wife and chidlren were out.
