NEW YORK (1010 WINS) — A Bronx man was indicted on Monday for allegedly raping a 13-year-old boy last month in the stairwell of the NYCHA building where the child lived, Bronx District Attorney Darcel Clark announced.
Ishmael Francis, 29, is charged with two counts each of second-degree rape, third-degree rape and sexual misconduct, as well as one count of endangering the welfare of a child and fourth-degree grand larceny.
According to the investigation, Francis allegedly had a conversation with the survivor online at about 11 p.m. on Sept. 18.
He then went to the child’s address, part of NYCHA’s Sotomayor Houses in Soundview, and waited in the stairwell, prosecutors said. When the survivor exited his apartment to take out the trash, Francis allegedly raped the boy and engaged in sexual acts with him.
When the child’s family began to call out for him, Francis allegedly stole his cellphone and fled from the building.
The survivor then ran inside, 911 was called and he was taken to New York Health + Hospitals/Jacobi.
Prosecutors said that Francis was identified through information provided in his alleged online messages with the child, and he was arrested on Sept. 24.
“This defendant is charged with raping a 13-year-old boy whom he engaged online and then went to his building,” Clark said. “This child has suffered trauma and we will do all we can to help him through this ordeal.”
Francis pleaded not guilty to all charges, according to court records. Bail was requested by prosecutors, but Supreme Court Justice Shari Michels continued supervised release for the suspect.
He is expected back in court on Jan. 7.