A short time ago we received word from the District Attorney’s office that charges were officially filed today against Michael Torres, who’s accused of the brutal rape of a woman in the Bowery subway station last month.
In an indictment, Torres is charged with predatory sexual assault, a criminal sexual act in the first degree, sexual abuse in the first degree and other charges. The crime happened shortly after midnight on February 8th as the victim left a J train and headed up the escalator. Prosecutors believe he came up behind the woman, placed his arm around her neck, “cutting off her air and preventing her from screaming.”
According to a news release, prosecutors believe Torres “pulled the victim off the escalator and threw her to the ground after which he dragged her to the end of the subway platform while placing a metal object against her neck.” Torres is accused of pushing the woman onto the subway tracks and then dragging her “further into the subway tunnel.” The complaint alleges that he “repeatedly pulled the victim’s hair and hit her head against the train tracks and against the concrete wall between the two subway lines.” Prosecutors say Torres then sexually assaulted the woman.
As we reported last month, an MTA worker came along while the attack was ongoing, forcing the suspect to flee. Police used surveillance video to track Torres down and arrest him the next day. Torres has numerous arrests on his record, mostly on drug and assault charges.
“The charges against the defendant are extremely serious,” District Attorney Cy Vance said today. “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.”
