By Forum Staff
A 31-year-old Jamaica man has been convicted of kidnapping and rape charges after luring a teenager living in Canada to run away from home in August of 2014.
“While social media can be entertaining and informative, it can also be a very dangerous place for youngsters. The defendant in this case used Facebook to establish a relationship with the then-15-year-old girl and manipulated her to run away when her family visited New York City. The defendant had sex with the teenager and held her against her will. A jury has now found him guilty and the defendant will be incarcerated for his actions.”
Santiago Reyes of 144th Street in Jamaica, was found guilty of second-degree kidnapping and third-degree rape after a nearly two-week-long trial.
Queens Supreme Court Justice Robert Kohm, who presided at trial, set sentencing for February 15.
According to the charges, Reyes met the then-15-year-old who lived in Toronto, Canada, on Facebook.
He communicated with her online for nine months, urging the teen to run away after she confided that her parents were too strict and she was being bullied at a new school.
When the girl and her family visited New York City, the defendant picked up the teenager when the parents were out, and took her to his house.
The defendant, who was much older than the teenager expected, was manipulated into having sexual intercourse with the defendant. When the teenager stated she wanted to leave, Reyes refused and told her there was no going back.
Reyes faces up to 25 years in prison.
