A 30-year-old trans man, identified as Nicol Suarez, has been charged with the rape of a 14-year-old boy in a bathroom at Thomas Jefferson Park in East Harlem, NYC, according to a report from the New York Post.
The incident reportedly took place earlier this week when Suarez allegedly stalked the teenager and followed him into the restroom. After the attack, the boy managed to alert witnesses, who then contacted the police.
Suarez was arrested the following day and faces charges of first-degree rape. He is an undocumented immigrant originally from Colombia and was also wanted in New Jersey and Massachusetts at the time of the incident. Law enforcement noted that an immigration detainer had been placed on him.
A source commented on the situation, citing the need to remove dangerous individuals from the city and urging cooperation among local leaders in response to the case. They expressed concern over sanctuary laws that limit immigration authorities’ actions.
During the legal proceedings, Judge Elizabeth Shamahs reduced the bail from $500,000 to $100,000 and the bond amount from $1.5 million to $250,000. A source expressed sympathy for the victim, highlighting the long-term impact on his life and questioning the focus on migrant welfare over that of victims.