A Suffolk judge ruled a 21-year-old Bellport man who admitted raping a 14-year-old Patchogue girl who went missing for 25 days last year should not be a lifetime sex offender, citing his age and lack of criminal history in her decision to sentence him below the recommended guidelines.

Acting Supreme Court Justice Karen M. Wilutis said assessing Kevin McDonald, 21, of Bellport, as a level 1 sex offender — meaning he has a low risk to reoffend — is "justified."

"Designating [McDonald] as a level 2 sex offender would be an overassessment of his risk to reoffend and his risk to the community," the judge determined during a sentencing hearing in Riverhead on Wednesday.

McDonald, who pleaded guilty to second-degree statutory rape last month, will be released from county jail having already

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