Knife Attacker Sentenced to 25 Years-Life
- A man who forced women into sex acts at knifepoint received a lengthy prison sentence from the Suffolk County DA. - He slashed one victim's neck, stabbed another in the face, and strangled a third unconscious with her scarf. - The brutal attacks highlight ongoing efforts to combat violent sexual assaults in the region. (patch.com)
A Suffolk County man was sentenced to 25 years to life in prison for forcing women into sex acts at knifepoint during three attacks. The Suffolk County District Attorney's office announced the sentencing on April 22, 2026. (suffolkcountyny.gov) The defendant, 33-year-old Thomas M. Reilly from Central Islip, was convicted on three counts of Predatory Sexual Assault and other related charges. Reilly was found guilty following a jury trial in February 2026. (suffolkcountyny.gov) On August 16, 2024, Reilly attacked a 28-year-old woman walking on Oakwood Avenue in Central Islip, holding a knife to her throat and forcing her to perform a sex act. He then slashed her neck before fleeing. (suffolkcountyny.gov) On August 23, 2024, he approached another woman sitting on a bench near her home in Central Islip and stabbed her in the face with a knife after demanding a sex act. She sustained a cut to her lip that required medical attention. (suffolkcountyny.gov) In a third incident on August 30, 2024, Reilly grabbed a 33-year-old woman from behind near her home, strangled her with her scarf until she was unconscious, and cut her neck before fleeing. She sought treatment for bruising and a minor laceration. ([suffolkcountyny.gov](https://suffolkcountyny.gov/Press-Releases/2026
