Willet Man Arrested For Rape, Sex Abuse, and Numerous Other Charges 

The Cortland County Sheriff’s Office opened an investigation into sex abuse allegations back in November 2024. The Sheriff’s Office says the reported sex abuse allegations took place between January 2022 and November of last year. 

An investigation into the allegations found 84 year old Donald R. Griest of Willet, had subjected a victim, who Griest knew, to inappropriate sexual contact between the dates mentioned above. Officers arrested Griest on March 4th.

Griest is facing 2 counts of Rape in the 1st, Sexual Abuse in the 1st, both Felonies, Forcible Touching, and Unlawful Imprisonment in the 2nd, both Misdemeanors. He was transported to the Sheriff’s Office for processing and later arraigned via the Centralized Arraignment Process.

Griest was released on his own recognizance.