Press Release

Queens District Attorney Melinda Katz announced that Andres Portilla pleaded guilty to kidnapping, rape, assault and criminal sex act charges for holding captive three young women in his car where he raped and assaulted them. The defendant held one woman – a minor – in the car for two months, beat her with a wrench and forced her to use a water jug for a toilet.

District Attorney Katz said: “This defendant carried out a reign of terror against three young women, two of them minors, while holding them captive in his car and raping and assaulting them. This case truly shocks the conscience. With yesterday’s plea, he will be sentenced to 40 years in prison. No one should have to endure this kind of torture. I thank the brave survivors for coming forward and assisting with the investigation of the case. We wish the women well in their continued journey toward a full recovery.”

Portilla, 31, of Jackson Heights, pleaded guilty yesterday to three counts of kidnapping in the second degree, assault in the first degree, two counts of rape in the first degree, rape in the second degree, two counts of criminal sex act in the first degree and assault in the second degree.

The defendant pleaded guilty before jury selection was expected to begin for his upcoming trial.

Queens Supreme Court Justice Ushir Pandit-Durant ordered Portilla to return to court April 15 when he is expected to be sentenced to 40 years in prison to be followed by 20 years of post-release supervision.

DA Katz said that, according to the charges and investigation, in September 2022, Portilla invited one of his victims, a minor, to an apartment in Queens, where he held her captive and perpetrated both sexual and physical assaults against her resulting in permanent injuries.

In November 2022, Portilla hit the victim on her head with a wrench, which shattered her right orbital bone. The defendant put the teen in a duffel bag and took her to his car, a 2008 Honda. He kept her captive, parked the car in secluded locations around Queens, and threatened to kill her if she left. He locked the teen in the trunk when he left the vehicle.

The girl was forced to use a water jug as a toilet and was barely given food. He continued to both sexually and physically assault the girl for an additional two months until she was rescued by the NYPD.

While restraining the first victim inside his car, Portilla lured a second victim, also a minor, into the car, where he raped her. He released the teen the same day because she received repeated phone calls from her family.

On January 1, 2023, Portilla lured a third victim into his car under the guise of allowing her to use a phone charger. Portilla held her captive for four days while sexually and physically assaulting her. She was released only after Portilla saw news reports about the woman’s disappearance.

The victim made a report to the police and underwent treatment at a local hospital.

After an intensive investigation, police identified both the defendant and the car he was driving. A manhunt and vehicle chase ensued. Portilla was taken into custody on January 6, 2023. Portilla’s first victim was in the car and was taken to the hospital where she required months of treatment.

Assistant District Attorney Sean Jaime of the District Attorney’s Special Victims Bureau is prosecuting the case with the assistance of Assistant District Attorney Marina Shew under the supervision of Assistant District Attorneys Brian Hughes, Bureau Chief, Debra Lynn Pomodore and Lauren Parson, Deputy Chiefs, and under the overall supervision of Executive Assistant District Attorney for Special Prosecutions Joyce A. Smith.