QUEENS, NY – Jerson Vasquez was arraigned last night on multiple charges, including rape in the first degree, robbery, assault, strangulation, and patronizing a person for prostitution, following a vicious attack on a woman in Jamaica, Queens.
Queens District Attorney Melinda Katz stated that the charges portray Vasquez as a “brutal and dangerous sexual predator,” vowing to seek justice for the victim. Judge Marty Lentz ordered Vasquez to return to court on August 21, and he faces up to 25 years in prison if convicted.
According to the charges, Vasquez, 23, responded to a Facebook marketplace ad for prostitution-related services on August 13. He arranged to meet the woman who placed the ad on 93rd Avenue in Jamaica, directing her to the rooftop of the specified location.
After initially giving the woman $150, Vasquez allegedly turned violent, choking her and slamming her head into a concrete wall while demanding his money back. He then punched the woman in the face, took back the $150, and repeatedly assaulted her by slamming her head onto the rooftop and applying pressure to her throat. Vasquez is accused of raping the woman for a second time during the attack, taking her phone, and fleeing the scene.
Video surveillance footage showed Vasquez leaving the location with what appeared to be blood on his neck and hand.
The victim was taken to a local hospital for treatment, suffering from a laceration to the back of her head that required staples to close, as well as bleeding, substantial pain, and extensive bruising and swelling to her head, face, and neck.