By Adam Kramer
A 23-year-old Queens Village man has been charged with promoting prostitution, raping and assaulting a teenage girl whom he held captive over a two-month period, the Queens district attorney said last Thursday.
Hasan Worthy of 216-50 115th Court in Queens Village faces several counts of promoting prostitution, rape, assault as a violent offender and endangering the welfare of a child, said Queens DA Richard Brown. If convicted, Worthy could be sentenced to as much as 15 years in jail.
“The defendant is alleged to have preyed upon a young teenager for his own personal benefit, threatening to kill her if she left him,” Brown said. “He will be vigorously prosecuted.”
Worthy allegedly picked up the teen, whose name was not released because she is a minor, on Pennsylvania Avenue in Brooklyn and took her to his Queens Village home, the district attorney said. Once at his home, Brown said, Worthy allegedly beat the teen severely on a number of occasions.
Eugene Sarchiapone, Worthy’s lawyer, said his client pleaded not guilty to all the charges. He said Worthy remains in jail until he posts $100,000 bond or cash. He is scheduled to be in court June 3.
Brown said the girl was allegedly smacked about the body and head, which left bruises and lacerations. Brown said that during the two-month period in which Worthy is accused of keeping the girl captive, he allegedly raped her on three separate occasions, threatened to beat and kill her if she left, forced her into prostitution and took the money from each transaction.
According to the charges, Worthy made it impossible for the teenager to escape because he kept a constant watch on her.
Then on May 13, Brown said, Worthy allegedly beat his victim for the last time. The district attorney’s office said the defendant, who was wearing boots, allegedly kicked the girl a number of times, causing her to fall down a flight of stairs. She had numerous injuries, including a fractured clavicle
Brown said she was able to flee to a nearby hospital the same day and was treated for her injuries.
Reach reporter Adam Kramer by e-mail at Timesledgr@aol.com or call 229-0300, Ext. 157.
