Press Release

Queens District Attorney Melinda Katz announced today that Drew Musa was indicted by a grand jury for attempted rape, sexual abuse and forcible touching for allegedly sexually assaulting a woman who had just exited a subway station on Woodhaven Boulevard in Elmhurst on June 27. Approximately 48 hours later, Musa was arrested in Manhattan where he was charged with breaking into an apartment and sexually assaulting the occupant.

District Attorney Melinda Katz said: “We live in a city that never sleeps and our streets must remain safe for all New Yorkers at all times. As alleged, this defendant forcibly touched a stranger and then tried to rape her on a public street during pre-dawn hours. I thank the victim for bravely calling the police immediately after she was assaulted. Unfortunately, the defendant fled from the Queens attack and is accused of assaulting another individual in Manhattan shortly afterward. He has now been indicted and will have to answer for the serious charges levied against him by my office.”

Musa, 31, of West 145^th Street in Manhattan, was arraigned today on an indictment charging him with attempted rape in the first degree, sexual abuse in the first degree and forcible touching. Queens Supreme Court Justice Gia L. Morris ordered him to return to court August 14. If convicted, he faces up to 15 years in prison.

District Attorney Katz said that, according to the charges and investigation, on June 27, at approximately 4:30 a.m., a 26-year-old woman exited the subway station at Woodhaven Boulevard and Hoffman Drive in Elmhurst. Musa, who exited the subway behind her, allegedly approached her and slapped her buttocks before walking away.

The woman then went to a bus stop near the subway station. Minutes later, while she waited for the bus, Musa allegedly returned, pushed the victim into a fence by the bus stop, pulled at her dress and pulled down his pants in an attempt to rape her. The victim struggled and the defendant eventually fled whereupon the victim called 911.

When police arrived, the victim pointed out Musa, who entered the subway station where officers were unable to locate him.

Musa was apprehended in Manhattan on June 29 after allegedly breaking into an apartment and sexually assaulting a female occupant.

Assistant District Attorney Leighanne Daly of the District Attorney’s Special Victims Bureau is prosecuting the case under the supervision of Assistant District Attorneys Eric C. Rosenbaum, Bureau Chief, Debra Lynn Pomodore, Senior Deputy Bureau Chief, Brian Hughes and Lauren Parson, Deputy Bureau Chiefs, and under the overall supervision of Executive Assistant District Attorney for Special Prosecutions Joyce A. Smith.