A 20-year-old Medford man called Kevin McDonald became the eighth person to be arrested in connection with the case involving Emmarae Gervasi. Gervasi went missing for a month and was found on a boat on January 3, allegedly to be trafficked. McDonald has been charged with rape, with him pleading not guilty to the rape charge and to an additional charge of endangering the welfare of a child.
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According to Newsday, court records reveal McDonald allegedly had sex with Gervasi on December 10 inside a 1998 Hyundai Accord on December 10, one day after she disappeared. Furthermore, McDonald smoked marihuana with the 14-year-old and then drove her to a motel in Bohemia. Security cameras captured Gervasi knocking on doors at the Bomeia motel, but she disappeared again, not to be seen until January 2025.
Following his arraignment, McDonald's bail was set at $250,000 cash or $500,000 bond. His attorney, Richard Kaufman, said that McDonald didn't have a criminal record. "The few things I've learned merit further investigation," Kaufman said.
Eight Arrests
After being found on a boat in Islip by her father following a tip, authorities have arrested multiple suspects. The boat's owner, Francis Buckheit, was the first one to get arrested. He was charged with kidnapping. Buckheit reportedly told Gervais he was taking her "to the Carolinas," according to an arraignment transcript.
Jacquelyn Comiskey, 52, and Elizabeth Hunter, 34, were both charged with child sex trafficking, pleading not guilty. Allegedly, Hunter took explicit pictures of Gervasi on the boat where she was found. She then used these photos to advertise her for sex in exchange for money and drugs. Hunter was also charged with promoting a sexual performance by a child and endangering the welfare of a child.
Comiskey, on the other hand, allegedly traded Gervasi for crack cocaine on January 3. The man was also accused of raping Gervasi. Said man, Bruce Knight, 47, was arrested on January 13 and was furtherly charged with three counts of a controlled substance. Just like everyone else, he pleaded not guilty.
Three other unidentified men were charged with rape. Allegedly, the three raped Emmarae Gervasi during the first three days of her disappearance. As reported by Newsday, the three men held Gervasi in place and had sex with her in a secluded place where "she was unlikely to be found."
