Michael Pena Indicted for Rape on Northern Manhattan Street

Manhattan District Attorney Cyrus R. Vance, Jr., today announced the indictment and arraignment of MICHAEL PENA, 27, on two counts of Rape in the First Degree, three counts of Criminal Sexual Act in the First Degree, and five counts of Predatory Sexual Assault. The defendant is a New York City police officer and was off-duty at the time of the attack.

“The brazenness of the horrific attack charged by the grand jury is truly shocking,” said District Attorney Vance. “It is all the more disturbing that the defendant in this case was a law enforcement officer sworn to protect the citizens of this city. Our Sex Crimes Unit is committed to investigating cases of sexual assault in Manhattan and bringing the perpetrators to justice.”

PENA is charged with attacking a female victim on August 19, 2011, at 6:30 a.m., in a courtyard behind 83 Park Terrace, a residential building in Inwood. According to documents filed in court, the defendant brought the victim to that location after threatening her with his department-issued firearm a short distance from the crime scene. Once in the courtyard, as charged in the indictment, PENA sexually assaulted the victim multiple times. He was arrested at the scene of the crime and immediately suspended by the New York City Police Department.

Defendant Information:

MICHAEL PENA, D.O.B. 05/04/1984
Yonkers, NY

Charges:

Predatory Sexual Assault, a class A-II felony, five counts
Rape in the First Degree, a class B violent felony, two counts
Criminal Sexual Act in the First Degree, a class B violent felony, three counts

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