LIVING IN A GRAY AREA: JOHN BECERRA AND HIS FARMINGVILLE NEIGHBORS

John Becerra, 45, pleaded guilty in February 1996 to four counts of sexual abuse and two count of endangering the welfare of a minor for incidents during 1993 and 1994 in Bellport that involved several children.  He was sentenced to six months in jail and five months probation.  After serving four months, he was released with special conditions for further rehabilitative treatment.  He lived in Farmingville for 15 months before his neighbors learned of his past.  There were organized demonstrations in front of his house, which was across the street from a bus stop for elementary school students.  Lucy Bukowski and Dolores Ferraro, two of the neighbors are being sued for harassment by him and his wife for $10 million in damages.

(New York)