D.A. Bragg Announces Indictment on Violent East Harlem Stranger Rape

Manhattan District Attorney Alvin L. Bragg, Jr., today announced the indictment of GEOVANNI ROMERO GONZALES, 26, for attacking a woman who was walking to the subway and raping and robbing her behind a parked car in East Harlem in March 2023. ROMERO GONZALES is charged in a New York State Supreme Court indictment with one count each of Rape in the First Degree, Robbery in the Second Degree, and Sexual Abuse in the First Degree. [1]

"Public safety means not having to fear a simple walk to the subway," said District Attorney Bragg. "I thank the NYPD for its quick work tracking down this suspect and making an arrest on these deeply disturbing allegations. I want to ensure survivors that we have the resources to help you in a trauma-informed manner that puts your needs first. Please call us at 212-335-9373."

According to court documents and statements made on the record in court, at approximately 1:45 a.m. on March 8, 2023, ROMERO GONZALES began following the 21-year-old survivor as she walked to the subway, insisting that he knew her. She ran, but ROMERO GONZALES caught her at the corner of East 111^th Street and 3^rd Avenue, stole her phone and bank cards, and pulled her to the ground. He then pinned her face-down on the hood of a parked car and raped her.

Eventually, the survivor was able to escape, but ROMERO GONZALES fled the scene before the survivor called 911. NYPD detectives investigated, tracked ROMERO GONZALES, and arrested him the following day.

Assistant D.A.s Mirah Curzer and Katherine Byrns are handling the prosecution of this case under the supervision of Assistant D.A.s Vanessa Puzio (Deputy Bureau Chief of the Intimate Partner and Sexual Violence Bureau) and Nicole Blumberg (Chief of the Intimate Partner & Sexual Violence Bureau) and Executive Assistant D.A. Justin McNabney (Chief of the Special Victims Division). Senior Investigator Donjya Bardliving and Investigative Analyst Tyler Friedman are also assisting with the case, as is Special Victims Counselor Nakeisha Vanterpool of the Witness Aid Services Unit.

District Attorney Bragg thanked the NYPD, especially Detective Samantha Crisci and the rest of the Manhattan Special Victims Squad, as well as the Department of Homeless Services.

Defendant Information:

GEOVANNI ROMERO GONZALES
New York, New York

Charges:

• Rape in the First Degree, a class B felony, one count
• Robbery in the Second Degree, a class C felony, one count
• Sexual Abuse in the First Degree, a class D felony, one count

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[1] The charges contained in the indictment are merely allegations, and the defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty. All factual recitations are derived from documents filed in court and statements made on the record in court.