Massapequa house squatter pleads guilty to trespassing

A Long Island man who was arrested for Trespassing last year after he was caught in a vacant house has agreed to a plea offer from the Nassau County District Attorney.

No Trespassing: Massapequa house formerly occupied - illegally, according to court filings - by a convicted squatter.Photo byC.J. Teevan

Kenneth Tillery, 53, pleaded Guilty before Judge David Goodsell to a reduced charge of Disorderly Conduct, minutes before his criminal trial was to begin in Nassau County District Court.

Tillery was immediately sentenced to a "Conditional Discharge" in return for that guilty plea. Under terms of that agreement -- an "Adjournment in Contemplation of Dismissal" -- his conviction would be erased if he is not arrested for 6 months.

The Assistant DA told the court at his arraignment that Tillery has 4 Felony and 4 Misdemeanor convictions.

The charge Tillery confessed to, Disorderly Conduct -- a violation -- is not considered a crime in New York State.

The true homeowner is identified in public records as Valerie McDonald-Neil, an Amityville resident who police said called 9-1-1 after a routine check on her empty house found the door locks were changed. McDonald-Neil said a dog was barking inside her house, a fact referenced by the Assistant DA at Tillery's arraignment.

When questioned by police, Tillery told them he rented the house 33 days earlier and had paid $2,500 rent to a female landlord, according to sworn court filings. Tillery could not produce a lease to back up his story, according to the Felony Complaint filed in connection with his arrest, and he was charged with trespassing.

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Locked up inmates arrive in Hempstead at the County's District Courthouse.Photo byC.J. Teevan