Photo Courtesy of NYPD
Video surveillance and photos allegedly of Luna were circulated throughout the city by investigators.
By Forum Staff
A Long Island City man has been charged with rape for allegedly pursuing and sexually assaulting a woman shortly after she exited a bus earlier this month in Sunnyside, according to Queens District Attorney Richard Brown.
Matthew Luna, 27, was arraigned last week on a complaint charging him with first-degree rape and first-degree criminal sexual act. Luna was remanded and ordered to return to court on March 15.
According to the charges, on Friday, Feb. 15, between 10:30 p.m. and 10:40 p.m., Luna allegedly boarded a city bus where he spotted a woman and followed her when she got off of the bus near 54th Street and Skillman Avenue in Sunnyside. A short while later, Luna allegedly approached the woman and asked her for directions to a nearby subway station. He continued by telling the woman that she was pretty and asked for a hug. The victim, who was startled by Luna’s request, backed away from him. Luna then allegedly grabbed her arms and said, “Just give me what I want so I don’t have to kill you.”
According to the complaint, Luna then allegedly struck the woman, shoved her against a parked vehicle, ripped off her clothes from the waist down and sexually assaulted her. He then allegedly threw the woman to the ground where he raped her.
The victim was taken to a local hospital, where she was treated for her injuries. On Monday, Feb. 18, Luna walked into a precinct surrendering to police after video surveillance and photos were circulated throughout the city.
“The defendant viciously attacked an unsuspecting woman shortly after she exited a bus in Sunnyside. This was a violent assault that should not have happened,” Brown said. “Every woman should feel safe—day or night—traveling throughout Queens County. The defendant is in custody and will be held accountable for his alleged actions.”
If convicted, Luna faces up to 25 years in prison.
