A BRONX JURY CONVICTS A BROOKLYN MAN FOR RAPING AND SODOMIZING NINE WOMEN IN THE BRONX OVER A TEN YEAR PERIOD

Bronx District Attorney Robert T. Johnson announced today that a 36 year-old Brooklyn man has been convicted of multiple counts of rape, sodomy and escape, in connection with nine separate attacks against Bronx women over a ten-year period.

Luis Acosta, of 1169 Flatbush Avenue, Brooklyn was found guilty of 14 counts of Rape in the 1st degree under two theories, 5 counts of Sodomy in the 1st degree and 1 count of Escape in the 1st degree, in the rapes of nine Bronx women.

Under one theory, Acosta was convicted of 10 counts of Rape in the 1st degree, in that the defendant engaged in sexual intercourse by forcible compulsion; under the second theory, Acosta was convicted of 4 counts of rape in the 1st degree by engaging in sexual intercourse with someone incapable of consent by reason of being physically helpless.

State Supreme Court Justice Dominic R. Massaro set sentencing for Tuesday, September 14, 2004 in Part T14. Acosta is facing a maximum term of up to life imprisonment on consecutive sentences for the charges of rape.

This conviction covers a crime spree that began on December 1, 1993 and ended on February 26, 2002. The victim’s of the sexual attacks ranged in age from 13 to 58. All but two of the attacks were at knifepoint; five of the victims were choked into unconsciousness. The attacks occurred on rooftops, apartments and alleyways, between the hours of 5:00AM and 9:00PM. Acosta, who never covered his face during the attacks, was also linked to all the victims by DNA evidence.

Six weeks after repeatedly raping and sodomizing his last victim, a 13 year-old girl, Acosta approached the victim on the street and asked her if she was pregnant. The incident was reported and the girl was placed under police surveillance. When Acosta again approached the girl on May 6, 2002, he was immediately apprehended by the police. During questioning, a DNA sample was obtained from Acosta who later escaped and remained at large until detectives tracked and apprehended him in November 2002.

Acosta is still awaiting trial in connection with charges involving attacks in Queens County, New York.

Senior Investigative Assistant District Attorney Astrid A. Borgstedt, of the Child Abuse / Sex Crimes Bureau and Amy E. Larson of the Domestic Violence Bureau prosecuted this case.