NYC Man, 63, Accused of Raping 14-Year-Old Boy in Daylight Attack Has Two Prior Arrests for Targeting Strangers: Police
A 63-year-old man from Queens has been charged with second-degree rape after allegedly assaulting a 14-year-old boy in broad daylight. The incident occurred last week when the suspect, Virgilio Taveras, reportedly lured the victim with the promise of a construction job.
According to police reports, Taveras approached the boy around 1 p.m. on July 1 while driving a silver sedan. He honked his horn several times before offering the teenager a job if he entered the vehicle. Once inside, Taveras allegedly sped away, made inappropriate comments about the boy's appearance, and subsequently assaulted him.
After the attack, Taveras allegedly slipped a $50 bill into the victim's pocket as he exited the car. The suspect lives approximately two miles from where the incident took place and was arrested two days later by the Special Victims Squad.
This is not Taveras's first encounter with law enforcement. He has two prior arrests for violent offenses against strangers in Queens. In June 2013, he was charged with menacing and criminal possession of a weapon after threatening a woman with a metal bat. Just five years later, in July 2018, he allegedly assaulted a 19-year-old man, choking him until he lost consciousness.
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The outcomes of these previous cases remain unclear, as the Queens District Attorney’s Office has stated that no public information is available regarding them.
Following his latest arrest, Taveras was arraigned in Queens Criminal Court on multiple charges, including forcible touching and endangering the welfare of a child. He is currently being held on $20,000 cash bail or $60,000 bond.
The NYPD has released Taveras's mugshot and images of the vehicle used in the incident to encourage other potential victims to come forward. Authorities urge anyone with information to contact the NYPD’s Sex Crimes Hotline or Crime Stoppers Hotline. Spanish-speaking individuals can reach out to a dedicated line for assistance.
