By Hank Russell
A Salvadoran national has been indicted on charges of rape after he allegedly sexually assaulted a 16-year-old girl in an alley as she walked home.
On June 6, Antonio Melendez Reyes allegedly approached a 16-year-old girl as she was walking home on New York Avenue in Huntington. He allegedly repeatedly asked the girl for her phone number, which she refused to give him. He then allegedly forced her down an alley, where he allegedly sexually assaulted her.
During the assault, the girl was able to escape while partially unclothed, climb a tall fence, and call 911. While she was on the phone with police dispatch, Melendez Reyes allegedly continued to search for the victim. When police arrived, they located Melendez Reyes and placed him under arrest.
On June 16, Melendez Reyes was arraigned on the indictment before Acting Supreme Court Justice Karen M. Wilutis, for the following charges:
- two counts of Rape in the First Degree, Class B violent felonies
- one count of Sexual Abuse in the First Degree, a Class D violent felony
- two counts of Rape in the Third Degree, Class E felonies
- one count of Endangering the Welfare of a Child, a Class A misdemeanor
“The allegations in this case are deeply disturbing,” said Suffolk County District Attorney Ray Tierney. “A 16-year-old girl should be able to walk safely without being targeted, pursued, and brutally assaulted. My office will continue to vigorously prosecute defendants who pose serious threats to our community’s safety, especially our children.”
Wilutis ordered Melendez Reyes held on $500,000 cash, $1,000,000 bond, or $5,000,000 partially secured bond during the pendency of the case.
Melendez Reyes is due back in court on July 21 and faces up to 25 years in prison if convicted of the top count. The United States Department of Homeland Security, Immigration and Customs Enforcement, has lodged a detainer to take custody of Melendez Reyes following this prosecution.