NEW YORK (1010 WINS) — A man was sentenced to eight years in prison for attempting to sexually assault a woman who was asleep in her bedroom in Brooklyn, Brooklyn District Attorney Eric Gonzalez announced Tuesday.
Akijah Hall, 29, was sentenced to eight years in prison and 15 years post-release supervision.
On August 15, Hall pleaded guilty to burglary as a sexually motivated felony, attempted criminal sexual act and sexual abuse in exchange for the Court’s promised sentence of eight years.
According to the investigation, at approximately 4:30 a.m. on Oct. 11, 2019, Hall forcibly broke into an apartment on Grand Street in Williamsburg by breaking the door off the hinges.
Hall went into the bedroom of a 25-year-old woman who woke up to find him next to her bed, with his hand on her mouth and his other hand on her breast, authorities said.
The victim screamed and woke up her roommate, who was sleeping in another room, officials said. The roommate struggled with Hall who then fled the apartment.
During the struggle the Hall dropped his jacket and his wallet, which contained his New York State identification card and his college student ID card, according to the evidence. He also dropped a coffee mug, which contained his DNA.
After leaving the scene Hall went to the 75th Precinct to make a police report claiming he lost his jacket, wallet, and identification, prosecutors said.
A few hours later, Hall was arrested outside of his residence.
"This defendant broke into a young woman’s home in the middle of the night and attempted to sexually assault her as she slept—an alarming violation of her safety and privacy.," D.A. Gonzalez said. "Thanks to the victim’s courage and her roommate’s quick response, he was apprehended before he could cause further harm. Today’s sentence ensures that the defendant is held accountable for this terrifying crime. We remain committed to seeking justice for survivors of sexual violence and making Brooklyn safer for all."