By Gina Martinez
FLUSHING — A Flushing man has been charged with sexual assault and robbery of a 12-year-old after an attack in Bowne Park last week, the Queens district attorney said.
The suspect has been identified as Soloman Hudgins, 24, of Flushing, the DA said. He is awaiting arraignment in Queens Criminal Court on charges of sexual abuse, robbery and endangering the welfare of a child, according to the district attorney’s office. Hudgins faces up to seven year in prison if convicted.
The attack took place at the intersection of Bowne Street and Sanford Avenue in front of the Bowne Park playground early on the morning of July 20. The victim was waiting for friends when she was allegedly jumped from behind by Hudgins and pulled down to ground. She tried to call for help, but Hudgins pulled at her clothes, opened her shorts and sexually abused her, according to Queens DA Richard Brown.
The victim also tried to use her phone to call for help, but Hudgins allegedly took her phone. He also is charged with pulling off her shoes and taking two packs of cigarettes and a lighter from the victim before leaving the park, prosecutors said. During the struggle Hudgins dropped his wallet, which contained his ID and was brought to police by the victim, the DA said.
“No person, young or old, male or female, should have to worry about fending off a sexual attack on the streets of our city at any time of the day or night,” Brown said. “The offenses of which the defendant has been charged are crimes of violence that pose a serious threat to public safety and which warrant vigorous prosecution.”
Another attack took place in Bowne Park. On July 14 at around 8 p.m., an unidentified male approached an 8-year-old who was with his mother, NYPD said. The man allegedly picked the child up while grabbing and squeezing his chest, according to police. The man is described as Chinese with black hair. He speaks fluent Mandarin. He was accompanied by a female toddler. The police were searching for the man for endangering the welfare of a child.
Anyone with information can call NYPD’s Crime Stoppers Hotline at 1-800-577-TIPS (8477).
Reach Gina Martinez by e-mail at gmart
