QUEENS, NY – Queens District Attorney Melinda Katz has brought forth that Jerson Vasquez is now officially arraigned on multiple charges, which include rape, robbery, and assault. The crime? Allegedly setting up a meeting under the pretext of paid sex, then savagely attacking the woman on a Jamaica rooftop.
To add insult to injury, he took back the money he had paid her and her cell phone.
District Attorney Katz expressed indignation, “The charges paint a picture of a cruel and perilous sexual predator. Rest assured, we are determined to get justice for the victim who had to endure this nightmarish ordeal.”
The accused, Jerson Vasquez, a 23-year-old resident of 170th Street in Jamaica, faced his arraignment just last night. His charges are severe: first-degree rape, second-degree robbery, two counts of second-degree assault, second-degree strangulation, and patronizing a person for third-degree prostitution. As per Queens Criminal Court Judge Marty Lentz, Vasquez is scheduled for his next court appearance on August 21. If he’s convicted, he could be looking at up to 25 years behind bars.
On August 13, Vasquez answered an ad on Facebook marketplace, which pertained to prostitution-related services.
He set up a meeting with the woman who posted the ad, directing her to an address on 93rd Avenue in Jamaica, specifically to the building’s roof.
On meeting, Vasquez handed her $150, which she placed in her purse. The situation took a dark turn when, during their interaction, Vasquez violently attacked her – choking her, slamming her head into a concrete wall, and demanding his money back.
The assault escalated with Vasquez punching the woman and repossessing the $150 he had initially given. He didn’t stop there. The woman endured more physical harm as Vasquez continually slammed her head onto the rooftop and strangled her, before assaulting her again.
In his final act of cruelty, Vasquez took the woman’s phone and made his escape. Eerily, video footage captured him departing the scene around 5:51 p.m., appearing to have blood on both his neck and hand.
The injured woman was immediately rushed to a local hospital. Her injuries were severe enough to necessitate staples at the back of her head, among other treatments.