BROOKLYN MAN IS SENTENCED TO A TERM OF UP TO 239 YEARS IMPRISONMENT 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 Luis Acosta, of Brooklyn, has been sentenced to a term of up to 239 years imprisonment for multiple counts of rape, sodomy and escape, in connection with nine separate attacks against Bronx women over a ten-year period.

State Supreme Court Justice Dominic R. Massaro sentenced Acosta, of 1169 Flatbush Avenue, Brooklyn to a term of 185 2/3 to 239 years imprisonment. Acosta was found guilty last month of 14 counts of Rape in the 1st degree, 5 counts of Sodomy in the 1st degree and 1 count of Escape in the 1st degree, in the rapes of nine Bronx women.

The series of incidents in which Acosta was convicted, 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 and New York Counties.

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.