Attacked Woman On Rockaway Street
A 22-year-old Rockaway Beach man has been charged with sexually assaulting a 62-year-old woman in his neighborhood last Sunday, June 10, law enforcement sources said.
Queens District Attorney Richard A. Brown identified the defendant as Samuel Doctor, 22, of Beach 96th Street, who was arraigned last Wednesday night, June 13, before Queens Criminal Court Judge Michael Yavinsky on a criminal complaint charging him with predatory sexual assault, first-degree rape and first-degree criminal sexual act.
Doctor, who faces up to 12 1/2 years to life in prison if convicted, was ordered held without bail and to return to court on July 16.
“The facts alleged in this case chronicle a frightening ordeal of sexual violence,” Brown said. “Hopefully, the woman who was brutally victimized will rest easier in knowing that her alleged rapist has been brought to justice and will be vigorously prosecuted. However, even after the physical abuse has stopped, the psychological trauma caused by sexual assault can be severe and long lasting.”
According to the criminal charges, the 62-year-old female victim was in the vicinity of Beach 91st Street and Rockaway Beach Boulevard at around 6 a.m. on June 10 when Doctor grabbed her and shoved her into a metal barrier.
As the woman screamed, Doctor allegedly put his fingers inside her mouth and yanked on her lower lip. Doctor is then alleged to have demanded that the woman give him money, put his hand under her dress, and ripped off her underwear.
It is further alleged that although the victim managed to break free from the defendant and attempted to get assistance, Doctor again approached her and, grabbing and pulling her by the hair, pushed her against the rear passenger side of a parked car and sexually assaulted her while telling her that he had a knife and threatened to hurt her if she screamed. Doctor then allegedly fled on foot.
The victim was taken to a local Queens hospital where a sexual assault evidence kit was prepared and she was treated for multiple injuries she suffered.
Police allegedly were able to recover a latent fingerprint from the metal barrier he had touched, as well as a latent fingerprint and palm print from the rear exterior passenger side window of the parked vehicle.
The investigation was conducted by Det. Richard Santangelo of the NYPD Queens Special Victims Squad under the supervision of Lt. Vicki McDermott, commanding officer.
Senior Assistant District Attorney Dianna L. Megias of the District Attorney’s Special Victims Bureau, and Assistant District Attorney Eric C. Rosenbaum, chief of the District Attorney’s DNA Prosecutions Unit, are prosecuting the case under the supervision of Assistant District Attorney Marjory D. Fisher, bureau chief, and the overall supervision of Executive Assistant District Attorney for Major Crimes Charles A. Testagrossa and Deputy Assistant District Attorney Daniel A. Saunders.
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It was noted that a complaint is merely an accusation and that the defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty.
