By Howard Koplowitz
A Far Rockaway man was charged last week with sexually assaulting a 9−year−old boy on a school bus where he served as an aide to make sure children got to and from school safely, Queens District Attorney Richard Brown said.
Darnell Washington, 20, of 636 Beach 22nd St. in Far Rockaway, was arraigned April 28 on counts of sexual abuse, possessing a sexual performance by a child and endangering the welfare of a child before Queens Criminal Court Judge Ira Margulis, who ordered him held on $200,000 bail, Brown said.
The 20−year−old faces up to seven years in prison if convicted of the charges, the DA said. His next court date was scheduled for May 18.
Washington allegedly asked the 9−year−old to play a game while the bus was at the intersection of Rockaway Beach Boulevard and Beach 73rd Street at around 7:50 a.m. April 27, Brown said. The defendant then is accused of sexually abused the youngster, according to the DA.
Washington then allegedly touched the boy inappropriately and showed him a picture of a naked young girl he had on his cell phone, Brown said.
Washington was arrested after the boy told his mother about the alleged encounter when he came home from school, Brown said.
“The charges are very disturbing,” Brown said in a statement. “As a school bus aide, the defendant’s responsibilities are to ensure the safety of students to and from school. Instead, the defendant is accused of turning a ride to school into a terrifying sexual ordeal for a young boy.”
Brown said a review of Washington’s cell phone turned up dozens of pictures of young children in sexual poses.
Reach reporter Howard Koplowitz by e−mail at hkoplowitz@cnglocal.com or by phone at 718−229−0300, Ext. 173.
