PITTSBURGH — A man facing charges in connection to the rape of a woman who has a mental disability pleaded guilty Wednesday.
Daniel Burrelli, of Oakmont, pleaded guilty to two counts of rape, two counts of involuntary deviate sexual intercourse, two counts of aggravated indecent assault and two counts of indecent assault. He was then sentenced to six to 16 years in prison, followed by 10 years probation.
Channel 11's Courtney Brennan spoke with the family over the phone. They told her they're pleased that the judge imposed a strong sentence.
According to investigators, Burrelli was on duty working as an Access driver when he raped and sexually assaulted the woman, who is legally blind and has Down syndrome.
When the woman testified in court last year, she told the judge that Burrelli touched her inappropriately on her way home from Mercy Behavioral Health. Prosecutors said she was raped and sexually assaulted by Burrelli multiple times before being taken to and from the facility.
When detectives asked Burrelli if the woman appeared to be mentally challenged, he said "Yes" and then said, "I am a man, I have my physical needs."
After the guilty plea, the victim's family sent along this statement:
Ten life sentences wouldn't be enough to right the wrong that Mr. Burelli did to her. Society has to protect those who can't protect themselves, specifically children, the handicapped and the elderly. We are pleased that Mr. Burelli won't have the opportunity to do this to anyone else.
In addition to his prison and probation sentence, Burrelli will have to register as a sex offender for the rest of his life.