MICHAEL TORRES INDICTED IN VIOLENT ATTACK AT BOWERY STREET SUBWAY STATION

Manhattan District Attorney Cyrus R. Vance, Jr., today announced the indictment of MICHAEL TORRES, 29, on charges of Predatory Sexual Assault, Criminal Sexual Act in the First Degree, Attempted Criminal Sexual Act in the First Degree, Attempted Rape in the First Degree, Reckless Endangerment in the First Degree, Sexual Abuse in the First Degree, for attacking a victim on the platform at the J subway train at the Bowery Street Station.

“The charges against the defendant are extremely serious,” said District Attorney Vance. “The brutal incident that started on the subway platform ended with the victim being sexually assaulted in a dark tunnel. My Office continues its commitment to the prosecution of cases of violence and sexual assault.”

According to the felony complaint previously filed in this case, on February 8, 2012, at 12:30 a.m., the victim left the J subway train at the Bowery Street Station using the escalator. TORRES is charged with coming up behind her and putting his arm around her neck, cutting off her air and preventing her from screaming. The defendant then pulled the victim off the escalator and threw her on the ground, after which he dragged her toward the end of the subway platform while placing a metal object against her neck. Once at the end of the platform, TORRES pushed the victim into the subway tracks and as a result she hit her head on the subway tracks. The defendant himself jumped down onto the tracks, pulled the victim up, and then dragged her further into the subway tunnel. While pulling her into the tunnel, TORRES repeatedly pulled the victim’s hair and hit her head against the train tracks and against the concrete wall between the two subway lines. The defendant is then charged with sexually assaulting the victim.

Assistant District Attorney Jessica Troy is handling the prosecution of this case, under the supervision of Assistant District Attorney Martha Bashford, Chief of the Sex Crimes Unit.

The charges contained in the indictment are merely allegations, and the defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.

Defendant Information:
MICHAEL TORRES, D.O.B. 1/22/1983
New York, N.Y.

Charges:

Predatory Sexual Assault, a class A felony, two counts
Criminal Sexual Act in the First Degree, a class B felony, one count
Attempted Criminal Sexual Act in the First Degree, a class C felony, one count
Attempted Rape in the First Degree, a class C felony, one count
Reckless Endangerment in the First Degree, a class D felony, one count
Sexual Abuse in the First Degree, a class D felony, one count

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