By Naeisha Rose
JAMAICA — A Jamaica man was sentenced last week to 16 years in prison for second-degree kidnapping and third-degree rape of a 15-year-old Canadian girl, according to Queens District Attorney Richard Brown.
Santiago Reyes, 31, of Jamaica, was convicted in January, following a two-week trial, of using social media to connect with the troubled Toronto teen and taking advantage of her troubles with her family, according to trial testimony.
The defendant spent nine months communicating with the teen as she confided that her parents were too strict and that she was bullied at a new school, said Brown. Reyes then convinced the girl to leave her home to meet him.
“The defendant in this case used Facebook to establish a relationship with the then-15-year-old girl and convinced her to run away from her family when they visited New York City,” Brown said.
According to trial testimony, the defendant met with the girl when her parents were out and took her to his house.
The teen was shocked by how much older Reyes was and tried to leave, but instead he manipulated her into having sexual intercourse with him, the DA said.
“When the [teen] stated she wanted to leave, Reyes refused and told her there was no going back,” Brown said.
Reyes lived on the second floor apartment of 87-25 114th St. in Jamaica, according to the indictment.
In the indictment, the teenager told Officer Robert Patterson of the 107th Precinct that the defendant had sex with her twice from Aug. 3 to Aug. 4, 2014.
“A jury has now found him guilty and the defendant will be incarcerated for his actions,” the DA said.
Presiding over the trial was Supreme Court Justice Robert Kohn, who sentenced the defendant to 16 years in prison to be followed by five years post-release supervision.
— Naeisha Rose
