NEW YORK (TNND) — A Bronx man was indicted on charges including second-degree rape following the alleged sexual assault of a 13-year-old boy that happened in a stairwell at an apartment complex, Bronx District Attorney Darcel D. Clark announced Monday.
This defendant is charged with raping a 13-year-old boy whom he engaged online and then went to his building,” Clark said. “This child has suffered trauma and we will do all we can to help him through this ordeal.
The incident allegedly happened in the late evening of September 18 at Sotomayor Houses in Soundview. Ishmael Francis allegedly engaged in an online conversation with the victim before going to the child’s address and waiting in a stairwell. When the boy exited his apartment to take out the trash, Francis allegedly engaged in sexual acts with him. Francis then reportedly stole the child’s cell phone and fled when the boy’s family began calling for him. According to a news release from Clark’s office, the victim returned to his apartment, and 911 was called. He was taken to hospital.
The 29-year-old faces two counts of second-degree rape, two counts of third-degree rape, two counts of sexual misconduct, one count of endangering the welfare of a child, and one count of fourth-degree grand larceny. He was arraigned before Bronx Supreme Court Justice Shari Michels, who continued supervised release for the defendant.
The alleged child predator was identified through information in his online messages to the victim and was arrested on September 24.
Francis is scheduled to return to court on January 7, 2025.