Manhattan District Attorney Alvin L. Bragg, Jr., today announced the indictment of CHRIS TAPIA, 23, for attempting to rape a woman on a moving 4 train in Lower Manhattan. TAPIA is charged in a New York State Supreme Court indictment with one count of Attempted Rape in the First Degree and one count of Sexual Abuse in the First Degree.^[1]

The indictment follows a sentencing announced in another transit-related crime earlier today. Allah Ali was sentenced to five years in state prison for forcibly groping a woman on an MTA bus.

 “New Yorkers deserve to ride our subways safely,” said District Attorney Bragg. “This alleged behavior is horrific. We will hold accountable those who commit sexual abuse on our trains or anywhere else.”

According to court documents and statements made on the record, at approximately 11:25 p.m. on November 17, 2022, TAPIA sat down near a 24-year-old woman on a northbound 4 train. As the train approached Bowling Green station, he stood up in front of her, pulled his pants and underwear down, and exposed himself. He then pushed her down onto the subway seats and laid on top of her, grabbing and groping her as she tried to get up. The survivor was able to get out from underneath TAPIA and run into the next subway car. TAPIA then exited the train at Bowling Green station at around 11:30 p.m.

Assistant D.A. Stephanie Ritter is handling the prosecution of the case, under the supervision of Assistant D.A.s, Shannon Lucey and Vanessa Puzio (Deputy Chiefs of the Sex Crimes Unit) and Nicole Blumberg (Chief of the Sex Crimes Unit). Trial Preparation Assistants Charlotte McCarthy and Grace Gittell are assisting with prosecution of the case. The Witness Aid Services Unit is also providing valuable assistance.

D.A. Bragg thanked Police Officer Troy Pitman of the NYPD Manhattan Special Victims Squad.

Anyone who believes they have been the victim of or witness to a sex crime is encouraged to call the Manhattan District Attorney’s Hotline at 212-335-9373.

Defendant Information:
CHRIS TAPIA
Staten Island, New York

Charged:

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

^[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.

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