Man sentenced to 20 years for sexual assault in Niagara Falls

BUFFALO, N.Y. (WIVB) — A man with no permanent residence was sentenced in Niagara County Court on Friday to 20 years in prison for sexually assaulting a woman while threatening her with a knife, according to the Niagara County District Attorney’s Office.

Duvan Berrio-Hernandez previously admitted to sexually assaulting a woman in Niagara Falls on Nov. 5, 2023.

“What happened to this young woman was quite simply the realization of her worst nightmare,” Niagara County District Attorney Brian D. Seaman said in a release.

“This defendant spotted her walking, began to follow her and then lewdly exposed himself to her. She attempted to flag down help, screamed for help, but was not successful. The defendant then chased her down, tackled her to the ground, and sexually assaulted her while threatening her with a knife. This individual was illegally in this country.”

Berrio-Hernandez was convicted of first-degree criminal sex act and will serve his sentence in state prison.

Kayleigh Hunter-Gasperini joined the News 4 team in 2024 as a Digital Video Producer. She is a graduate of Chatham University.