QUEENS, N.Y. — A Jamaica man has been sentenced to 15 years in prison for the brutal sexual assault and attempted murder of a woman on a rooftop in 2023, Queens District Attorney Melinda Katz announced Tuesday.
Jerson Vasquez, 25, pleaded guilty in January to second-degree attempted murder, first-degree rape, and third-degree patronizing a person for prostitution. He was sentenced by Supreme Court Justice Michelle Johnson to 15 years in prison, followed by 10 years of post-release supervision. Vasquez will also be required to register as a sex offender upon his release.
“A dangerous sexual predator, who carried out a brutal attack against a woman, has been sentenced,” Katz said. “We thank the brave victim for coming forward and hope the sentencing provides a measure of comfort as she continues to heal.”
Prosecutors said Vasquez responded to a prostitution ad on Facebook Marketplace and arranged to meet the victim on August 13, 2023, at a rooftop location on 93rd Avenue in Jamaica. After initially paying her $150 and engaging in intercourse, Vasquez attacked the woman, choking her, slamming her head into a concrete wall, and reclaiming his money. He then punched her repeatedly, continued to slam her head into the floor, and applied pressure to her neck before taking her cellphone and fleeing.
Surveillance footage showed Vasquez leaving the scene with visible blood on his neck and hands. The victim was hospitalized with a head laceration requiring staples and suffered extensive swelling to her face, head, and neck.
