“Christopher Villacis inflicted terrible abuse on a woman who had come to him for help, suddenly turning an argument into three days of absolute torture,” said District Attorney Bragg. “I thank our prosecutors for their dedication to seeing justice done in this case. Most of all, I thank the survivor for taking the stand and recounting this unimaginably difficult experience. Despite his best attempts, the defendant was not able to take her dignity.”

“Terence Banks was convicted by a jury of violently sexually assaulting a child and brutally raping a young woman just two weeks apart, turning two summer days on Randall’s Island into the scene of horrific crimes,” said District Attorney Bragg. “Everyone should be able to use our city’s parks exactly as these New Yorkers were – skateboarding and reading – without fear for their safety. I admire the bravery of these survivors for taking the stand and thank the jury for its careful consideration of their testimony and the evidence before them. Finally, I thank the prosecutors from our Intimate Partner and Sexual Violence Bureau for the care and dedication with which they approached this case.” 

“The crimes charged in this indictment are among the most brutal imaginable. We allege Ellow Williams not only forcibly raped but attempted to murder a young woman in her own building by repeatedly strangling her,” said District Attorney Bragg. “Our Special Victims Division has the resources to both hold offenders accountable and support survivors as they heal; please call us at 212-335-9373.”

“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.”

“Women deserve to walk home without fearing that they are being followed or that they will be sexually assaulted,” said District Attorney Bragg. “As alleged, Vertell Dunham pushed past a young woman after trailing her to her building under the guise of needing medical care, before strangling her and attempting to sexually assault her. Thank you to our partners at the NYPD for their quick action arresting the defendant the next day – as he attempted to follow a college student into her residence hall.”