Rape Charges for Excavator

New York State police arrested Steven M. Mezynieski, the owner of an eponymous Southampton excavation company, last Thursday, charging him with two class B felonies: rape in the first degree and committing a sex act in the first degree. Police have alleged that he violently raped a teenage girl twice in a three-year period at his Orient farm, with the first rape occurring when she was 16.

Mr. Mezynieski’s excavation company is the largest on the East End. He also has taken over the operation of a sand mine on Middle Highway in East Hampton owned by the Talmage family.

Police allege that Mr. Mezynieski tied the young woman up before sexually molesting her the first time. The second incident, police say, occurred two years later.

Mr. Mezynieski, 44, lives in Orient. His arrest followed an investigation by the State Police Troop L Major Crimes Unit.

Mr. Mezynieski was arraigned in Southold Town Justice Court last Thursday afternoon and was released after posting $25,000 bail. At the arraignment, his lawyer, Edward Burke Jr., told the court that Mr. Mezynieski was not guilty.

“My client adamantly denies the allegations placed upon him,” Mr. Burke said Friday. He said the charges would eventually be repudiated and his client  exonerated.

If convicted, Mr. Mezynieski could be sentenced to up to 25 years in prison on each of the felony charges.

The case had not at press time been presented to a grand jury. It is on the Southold court calendar for Aug. 26.

Police have suggested there may be other women who were victims of Mr. Mezynieski. They asked anyone with information to call them at 631-756-3300 and promised to keep all calls confidential.