D.A. Bragg Announces Indictment in String Of Late-Night Sex Assaults


September 20, 2022

Manhattan District Attorney Alvin L. Bragg, Jr., today announced the indictment of DAMIAN BAEZA RENDON, 20, for sexually assaulting three women as they used public transit in June and August 2022. BAEZA RENDON is charged in a New York State Supreme Court indictment with one count of Attempted Rape in the First Degree, two counts of Sexual Abuse in the First Degree, two counts of Forcible Touching and one count of Sexual Abuse in the Third Degree. [1]
 
“All New Yorkers have the unequivocal right to travel through our City’s subways and streets. As alleged, Damian Baeza Rendon followed and attacked multiple women as they walked along the street in a pattern of late-night attacks,” said District Attorney Bragg. “We encourage anyone who believes they have been the victim of or witness to a sex crime to call our Hotline at 212-335-9373.”
 
According to court documents, video surveillance, and statements made on the record, on June 28, 2022, BAEZA RENDON followed a woman on the Upper East Side for several blocks. He approached her on East 89th Street near First Avenue and sexually assaulted her before running away. 
 
On August 7, 2022, BAEZA RENDON followed another victim down the street and into the subway station at Broadway and Houston Street before reaching under her dress and grabbing her from behind. On August 20, 2022,  BAEZA RENDON ran up behind a victim on the Upper East Side after following her from the 6 train, grabbed her, and attempted to rape her before a Good Samaritan heard screams and intervened.

The investigation into a fourth incident that occurred on July 31, 2022, on Greene Street between Spring and Broome Streets, is ongoing.
 
Assistant District Attorney Kirstie Raffan is handling the prosecution of the case, under the supervision of Assistant D.A.s, Shannon Lucey and Vanessa Puzio (Deputy Chiefs of the Sex Crimes Unit), Nicole Blumberg (Chief of the Sex Crimes Unit) and Executive Assistant D.A. Joyce Smith (Chief of the Special Victims Division). Trial Preparation Assistant Tyler Friedman is assisting with prosecution of the case. The Witness Aid Services Unit is also providing valuable assistance, including our dedicated sex crimes counselor under the supervision of Deputy Chief for Survivor Services Beverly Gilchrist.

D.A. Bragg thanked Detective Steven Clarke of the NYPD Manhattan Special Victims Squad and Detective Francesca Gagliardi of the NYPD Transit Special Victims Squad. 

Defendant Information:
DAMIAN BAEZA RENDON
New York, New York 

Charged:

  • Attempted Rape in the First Degree, a class C felony, one count
  • Sexual Abuse in the First Degree, a class D felony, two counts
  • Forcible Touching, a class A misdemeanor, two counts
  • Sexual Abuse in the Third Degree, a class B misdemeanor, one count.

[1] The charges contained in the indictment are merely allegations and the defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty. All factual recitations are derived from documents filed in court and statements made on the record in court.

 

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