NEW YORK (1010 WINS/WCBS 880) — A man who forced his way into a woman’s East Village apartment and feigned injury before attacking her was indicted for attempted sexual abuse and six other felony charges, prosecutors said on Thursday.
Vertell Dunham, 26, allegedly followed a 20-year-old woman home on March 19 and jumped over the fence in front of her East Village apartment building.
He then pushed past the woman and entered her apartment without permission, before showing her a cut on his finger and asking to use the sink to rinse the wound.
Unsure how to respond, the 20-year-old offered Dunham a bandage. As she went to get it, Dunham allegedly pulled down his pants, began strangling her and attempted to sexually assault her.
The survivor fought back and forced Dunham out of her apartment, slamming the door. She then called 911.
The defendant was arrested later the same day as he followed a college student into her residence hall, prosecutors said.
“Women deserve to walk home without fearing that they are being followed or that they will be sexually assaulted,” Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg said.
Dunham is charged with first- and second-degree burglary, first- and second-degree burglary as a sexually motivated felony, attempted criminal sexual act, attempted sexual abuse and strangulation.
The defendant pleaded not guilty to all charges and bail was posted, court records show.
Dunham is expected back in court on June 6.