November 30, 1998

BUSINESSMAN SENTENCED TO 3-6 YEARS IN RAPE OF EMPLOYEE INSIDE QUEENS MOTEL

Queens District Attorney Richard A. Brown announced today that a 46 year old restaurant owner and businessman convicted of raping one of his employees in October, 1997, was sentenced today to three to six years in prison.

District Attorney Brown said, "Notwithstanding that the victim in this case was new to this country, did not speak English and was victimized by her employer, a powerful businessman in the Korean community, she bravely went forward with his prosecution. Her persistence and courage should inspire other women who are similarly victimized."

District Attorney Brown identified the defendant as Joon Ho Chin, 46, of 845 Redgate Road, Dresher, Pennsylvania. He is the co-owner of the New World restaurant at 153-01 Northern Blvd. He was convicted after a two week trial of Rape in the First Degree was sentenced today by Supreme Court Justice Randall Eng who presided at the trial.

According to the testimony at trial, on October 15, 1997, the defendant drove his 31 year old victim to the Anchor Motor Inn at 215-34 Northern Boulevard, telling her that he needed to discuss important business with her. When they arrived at the location the defendant left the victim, who was unaware that the location was a motel, in the car and he went inside. The victim testified that the defendant returned to the car 10 - 15 minutes later, drove the car into an underground parking lot and escorted her into an elevator. Only when they reached the second floor, she testified, did she realize that the location was a motel and that he had rented a room. Once inside the room they discussed business for a short time and, at the conclusion of the discussion, as the victim attempted to leave, the defendant blocked her way, grabbed her by the shoulders and threw her onto the bed. The defendant then began beating her and slammed her head into the headboard several times. He then punched her in the head and abdomen and, the victim testified, at that point she lost consciousness. When she awakened the defendant was in the shower and at that point she fled to the hotel lobby where the clerk summoned police.

Assistant District Attorney Karen Migdal of the District Attorney's Special Victims Bureau, which is under the supervision of Assistant District Attorney Marjory D. Fisher was the trial prosecutor.