Manhattan District Attorney Alvin L. Bragg, Jr., today announced the indictment of QUAMAE TAYLOR, 32, for raping an acquaintance while she slept in March 2024. TAYLOR is charged in a New York State Supreme Court indictment with Rape in the First and Third Degrees and Sexual Abuse in the First Degree.[1]
“Acquaintance rape is perhaps the least commonly understood form of sexual assault, but by far the most common element in the cases we see each and every day,” said District Attorney Bragg. “In fact, study after study shows that nationwide, the vast majority of rape survivors knew their attacker, much like we allege here. I urge anyone who has survived sexual assault to contact us at 212-335-9373 – our Special Victims Division and its Intimate Partner and Sexual Violence Bureau are well-equipped to help you in a trauma-informed, survivor centered manner.”
According to court documents and statements made on the record in court, on the evening of March 9, 2024, TAYLOR, an acquaintance of the victim, accompanied her and her sister to a restaurant to celebrate the victim’s birthday. Soon after they all returned to the sisters’ apartment, the victim fell asleep. The victim awoke to the defendant raping her as she slept in her bed. She then contacted the NYPD and TAYLOR was arrested.
Special Victims Division
Since taking office in 2022, D.A. Bragg has taken numerous steps to put the dignity and well-being of survivors at the center of the Office’s work. D.A. Bragg created the Office’s first Special Victims Division helmed by leaders with expertise in providing services to survivors and implementing trauma-informed practices. D.A. Bragg also created the Office’s first Intimate Partner and Sexual Violence (“IPSV”) Bureau by combining the Sex Crimes and Domestic Violence Units, staffed for the first time by Assistant D.A.s doing this work full-time. The Office continues to improve its practice through a wide variety of trainings, and by eliciting feedback through its new Special Victims Division Advisory Council comprised of more than a dozen external stakeholders.
Assistant D.A. Megan Mers is handling the prosecution of the case under the supervision of Assistant D.A. Vanessa Puzio (IPSV Deputy Bureau Chief), Assistant D.A. Nicole Blumberg (IPSV Bureau Chief), and Executive Assistant D.A. Justin McNabney (Chief of the Special Victims Division). Survivor Services Bureau Counselors Kara Wissing and Nakeisha Vanterpool, along with Investigative Analyst Eva Nikitovic, are providing valuable assistance on this case.
Defendant Charges:
QUAMAE TAYLOR
Queens, NY
Charges:
- Rape in the First Degree, a class B felony, one count
- Sexual Abuse in the First Degree, a class D felony, one count
- Rape in the Third Degree, a class E felony, one count
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[1] The charges contained in the indictment are merely allegations, and the defendant is 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.