QUEENS MAN SENTENCED TO 12 YEARS IN PRISON FOR RAPE OF WOMAN HE FOLLOWED AFTER SHE EXITED CITY BUS

UsaNewsOnline.Com Desk, New York : Queens District Attorney Melinda Katz yesterday announced that Matthew Luna, 27, of Long Island City has been sentenced to 12 years in prison for pursuing and raping a woman shortly after she exited a bus in Sunnyside on the night of February 15, 2019.

            District Attorney Katz said, “The defendant has admitted to the sexual attack on this young woman.  It was a vicious, violent act that should never happen on our streets. My office will vigorously prosecute those who violate and victimize others and the sentence imposed today by the Court punishes the defendant for his criminal acts.”

            The defendant pleaded guilty in January to rape in the first-degree before Queens Supreme Court Justice Suzanne Melendez. Today, Supreme Court Justice Karen Gopee sentenced Luna to 12 years in prison to be followed by 10 years’ post release supervision. The defendant is also required to register as a sex offender.

            District Attorney Katz said that on February 15, 2019, the defendant boarded a City bus where he first spotted the 20-year-old woman. He then followed her when she exited the bus near 54^th Street and Skillman Avenue. Moments later, Luna approached her and asked for directions to a nearby subway station. The defendant continued talking to the woman, telling her she was pretty and asking for a hug. Startled by the defendant’s request, the victim backed away from him. Luna then grabbed her arms and said in sum and substance “Just give me what I want so I don’t have to kill you.”

            Continuing, according to the charges, the defendant then struck the woman, shoved her against a parked vehicle, ripped off her clothes from the waist down and sexually assaulted her. He continued the attack by throwing the victim to the ground and raping her.

            The woman was taken to a local Queens hospital where she was treated for her injuries. Three days later (February 18), after photos and a video were circulated in the media, Luna walked into a local precinct and surrendered to police.

            The investigation was conducted by Detective Barthold Alexandre of the New York City Police Department’s Queens Special Victims Squad.

            Assistant District Attorney Jacqueline Rizk, of the District Attorney’s Special Victims Bureau, prosecuted the case under the supervision of Assistant District Attorneys Eric C. Rosenbaum,  Bureau Chief, Debra Lynn Pomodore and Brian Hughes, Deputy Bureau Chiefs, and under the overall supervision of Executive Assistant District Attorney for Major Crimes Daniel A. Saunders. Press Release.