Manhattan District Attorney Alvin L. Bragg, Jr., today announced the sentencing of Allah Ali, 53, to five years in state prison for forcibly groping a woman on an MTA bus. A New York Supreme Court jury found ALI guilty of one count of Sexual Abuse in the First Degree on November 28, 2022.
“Protecting New Yorkers and their right to travel freely on our subways and buses is of paramount importance to me. Allah Ali used force to terrify and sexually abuse a bus passenger and is now being held accountable,” said District Attorney Bragg. “I thank the prosecutors and staff of our Special Victims Division and Sex Crimes Unit for their work in ensuring justice as well as the brave straphangers and MTA personnel who sprang into action to help. My thoughts are with the courageous victim who shared her truth with the jury as she continues to heal.”
On August 31, 2018, ALI sat next to the 24-year-old victim on the BM1 express bus after they both boarded at 23rd Street and Park Avenue.
While standing in the aisle, ALI reached into her handbag on the seat next to her before she grabbed her bag to move it to her other side. ALI then sat in the now-empty seat next to the victim and reached up her dress. She told him to leave her alone and attempted to get away.
He then grabbed her chest and continued to touch and grab her as he blocked her from leaving. He then held her down on the bus seat and grabbed under her dress again before other bus riders pulled ALI off the victim.
Assistant D.A.s Rachel Polisner and Sarah Stein handled 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. Assistant District Attorney Jonathon Junig and Trial Preparation Assistant Meera Shoaib assisted with prosecution of the case. The Witness Aid Services Unit is also providing valuable assistance.
D.A. Bragg thanked Police Officer Adam Keegan of the NYPD’s First Precinct.
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:
ALLAH ALI
Staten Island, New York
Convicted:
- Sexual Abuse in the First Degree, a class D felony, one count
Sentenced:
- Five years in state prison and 12 years post-release supervision, sex offender registration
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