Rotterdam man pleads guilty, gets 18 years for rape

ROTTERDAM, N.Y. (NEWS10) -- A Rotterdam man pleaded guilty on Thursday in Schenectady County Court to first-degree rape. The Schenectady County District Attorney's Office said Michael Randy Rabine admitted to raping a teen who was known to him multiple times in 2024.

The DA's office said Rabine's guilty plea fulfilled a 13-count indictment, including charges from four counts of first-degree rape to first-degree criminal sex act. Officials said the investigation started after the victim confided in her mother, telling her Rabine had been raping her.

Rotterdam Police Department Detective Michelle Crandall worked with Schenectady Child Protective Services caseworkers when interviewing the victim about the assaults. The victim told law enforcement that Rabine said an imaginary man named "Ricky" would kill him if he didn't have sex with the victim.

The DA's office said the victim felt Rabine's death would not only change her life, but also upset people who were close to her, so she gave in to his requests. The victim also told Detective Crandall she had received texts from "Ricky" about what he wanted her to do to Rabine, followed by threats to both her and Rabine's lives.

A search warrant for Rabine's phone showed he was sending the text to the victim using a phone number he created on a mobile application installed on his cell phone, which was associated with his phone number. From that, detectives determined Rabine had made up a third person to force the teen into sexual performances.

Also included in Rabine's sentence is 20 years of probation, and an order of protection was given to the victim. After his 18-year sentence, Rabine is required to register as a sex offender.