STONY BROOK, NY – A Ronkonkoma man facing public lewdness charges in four incidents has been arrested again after another woman recognized him from news coverage and reported an alleged encounter earlier this year, according to the Suffolk County District Attorney’s Office.
Nicholas Critelli, 20, was arrested October 22 and arraigned the following day on one count of public lewdness, a class B misdemeanor, prosecutors said.
The latest charge stems from an alleged incident on February 26, 2026, at approximately 10:22 a.m. in the parking lot of the AMC Stony Brook 17 movie theater.
According to prosecutors, a woman was loading purchases into her car when Critelli allegedly approached in a dark gray Nissan Altima, made eye contact with her and began masturbating.
The woman later recognized Critelli in news coverage of his most recent arraignment and identified him as the person involved in the February incident, authorities said.
Critelli previously was arrested and arraigned on public lewdness charges involving alleged incidents on June 4 and June 6, 2026. Prosecutors said he was released on his own recognizance and subsequently arrested in connection with two additional alleged incidents on October 1 and October 14. He was then placed on supervised release.
District Attorney Raymond A. Tierney criticized New York’s bail laws following the latest arrest. According to his office, all five public lewdness charges are non-bail eligible, meaning prosecutors cannot request bail and judges cannot impose it on those charges.
Tierney said the cases involve allegations against women who were going about their daily activities and pledged to continue pursuing justice for the complainants.
Critelli appeared before District Court Judge Steve Weissbard on October 23. His next court appearance is scheduled for November 4, 2026. He is represented by the Legal Aid Society of Suffolk County.
Anyone who believes they may have been a victim of an incident involving Critelli is asked to contact the Suffolk County Police Department at 631-854-8452.
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Defendant | Nicholas Critelli, 20, of Ronkonkoma |
| Latest charge | One count of public lewdness, a class B misdemeanor |
| Alleged incident | February 26, 2026, at approximately 10:22 a.m. |
| Location | AMC Stony Brook 17 movie theater parking lot |
| Allegations | Prosecutors say Critelli approached a woman in a dark gray Nissan Altima and masturbated while she was loading purchases into her car. |
| Identification | The woman reportedly recognized Critelli from news coverage of his most recent arraignment. |
| Arrest date | October 22, 2026 |
| Arraignment | October 23, 2026, before District Court Judge Steve Weissbard |
| Other alleged incidents | June 4, June 6, October 1 and October 14, 2026 |
| Release history | Previously released on his own recognizance; later placed on supervised release, according to prosecutors |
| Bail eligibility | The DA’s office says all five public lewdness charges are non-bail eligible under New York law. |
| Next court appearance | November 4, 2026 |
| Defense counsel | Legal Aid Society of Suffolk County |
| Police contact | Suffolk County Police Department: 631-854-8452 |
| Presumption of innocence | All charges are allegations. Critelli is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty in court. |
The charges are allegations. Critelli is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty in court.
Source: Suffolk County District Attorney’s Office.
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