A man accused of attempting to rape a 21-year-old woman near Times Square claimed he was “bound,” according to prosecutors. They argued on Wednesday that, following the incident, he would need to go into hiding from law enforcement searching for him.
Anthony Smith, 37, who has a criminal history, was alerted by a friend that police were tracking him. This friend sent him a picture of a Crime Stoppers poster featuring his image shortly after the attack on August 10, as testified by Manhattan aide Brianna Demilia in court.
Smith, who has six prior convictions, supposedly made plans to evade police but left a trail that led to his arrest, Demilia noted during the proceedings.
“He contacted multiple people expressing that heneeded to find a ‘low hiding place’ to escape the police,” Demilia told Judge Gregory Caro.
Despite his attempts, Smith was apprehended on August 13 in the Lower East Side. Prosecutors stated that several individuals, including his parole officer, recognized him as the suspect in the sexual assault.
Charged with attempted rape, sexual abuse, and strangulation, Smith pleaded not guilty in court.
According to prosecutors, around 3:30 AM, he approached the victim from behind near West 47th Street, close to 8th Avenue, as she headed toward the subway station.
He allegedly placed her in a chokehold, causing her to lose consciousness almost immediately, authorities reported.
Once she was incapacitated, he began to assault her but fled when she regained consciousness, as per law enforcement accounts.
Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg emphasized the commitment to combat violent sexual crimes in New York City following the hearing.
“Our special victims department takes these offenses very seriously and will seek justice in this case while prioritizing the needs of survivors,” Bragg stated.
Smith has been ordered to remain in custody without bail and is set to appear in court again on November 12.
