A 63-year-old man, identified as Virgilio Taveras from Queens, is accused of raping a 14-year-old boy after allegedly enticing him with a potential construction job last week.
Taveras is currently facing two charges related to a rape incident that occurred on July 1 in Jamaica. Authorities have noted that he has a history of violent behavior, including a previous arrest for threatening a woman with a bat and another for physically assaulting a young man until he lost consciousness.
His earlier legal troubles reportedly began back on June 7, 2013, when he threatened a woman on Roosevelt Avenue while wielding a metal bat. The police charged him with various crimes, including criminal possession of weapons and harassment.
A second incident in July 2018 involved Taveras allegedly punching a 19-year-old man unknown to him and choking him until he was unconscious. This also led to charges of misdemeanor assault and other related offenses.
Details about the outcomes of these previous arrests remain unclear, as the Queens District Attorney’s Office described the information as “publicly available.”
The newest allegations describe how the 14-year-old victim was approached by Taveras while walking on 171st Street near Jamaica Avenue during the afternoon. According to the court complaint, Taveras offered the boy a construction job, which was all part of his predatory approach.
As the boy approached, Taveras allegedly began asking personal questions and complimenting him before he assaulted him. After the attack, he reportedly slipped a $50 bill into the teen’s pocket as he left the vehicle.
Taveras, who resides about two miles from where the incident took place, was arrested two days later by a special victims unit. He was formally charged with second-degree rape at Queens Crown Court.
His bail is set at $20,000 cash or $60,000 bond. In light of the arrest, the NYPD has released mug shots and information about the vehicle used to approach the boy, hoping to identify any additional victims.
Anyone with information is encouraged to reach out to the NYPD Sexual Crime Hotline or the Crime Stopper Hotline. Anonymous tips can also be provided online.
