Press Release

Queens District Attorney Melinda Katz announced that Andres Portilla was sentenced to 40 years in prison for the kidnapping and rape of three young women including two minors. He brutally beat one teen and kept her captive in his car for two months, locking the girl in the trunk while he wasn’t there. Portilla pleaded guilty in March prior to a scheduled trial.

District Attorney Katz said: “This defendant committed horrifying acts of physical and sexual violence against multiple victims, including two minors, as he held them captive. The abuse of one teen was so severe it resulted in permanent injuries that required months of treatment. The defendant was sentenced to 40 years in prison. Our thoughts are with the survivors, and we hope this sentence provides them with some measure of comfort as they continue healing.”

Portilla, 31, of Jackson Heights, pleaded guilty on March 23 before Queens Supreme Court Justice Ushir Pandit-Durant 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. Justice Pandit-Durant sentenced the defendant yesterday 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 lured a minor to a Queens apartment and held her captive. He subjected her to physical and sexual assault resulting in permanent injuries.

In November 2022, Portilla hit the victim on the head with a wrench and shattered her right orbital bone. He then put her in a duffel bag and carried her to his car to further confine her.

Portilla kept her captive in the 2008 Honda — which he parked in secluded locations around Queens — and threatened to kill the girl if she left. He locked the teen in the trunk when he wasn’t there. She 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, Portilla lured another minor victim into his car and raped her. He released the second teen the same day because she received repeated phone calls from her family.

On January 1, 2023, Portilla lured a 21-year-old woman into his car under the guise of providing her use of a phone charger. Portilla held the woman captive for four days, sexually and physically assaulting her multiple times. Portilla released the victim when he saw repeated news coverage about her 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 prosecuted 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 former Executive Assistant District Attorney for Special Prosecutions Joyce A. Smith.