Jermaine Longmire : “Central Park Attempted Rapist Charged: Justice Served”

The suspect in the alleged sexual assault of a woman who was sunbathing in New York City’s iconic Central Park last month has been formally charged, authorities revealed on Wednesday. 

Identified as Jermaine Longmire, a 43-year-old individual with a criminal record including eight arrests in New York and a substantial history of arrests in several other states, the suspect was linked to the crime through DNA evidence found at the scene, according to NYPD Chief of Detectives Joe Kenny.

Longmire, who is facing charges of first-degree attempted rape and first-degree sexual abuse, both classified as felonies, made an appearance in court on Wednesday to answer to the allegations. 

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A sketch of a suspect in an attempted sexual assault case involving a woman in Central Park in June. Jermaine Longmire, aged 43, has been formally charged in connection with the incident.  (NYPD)

“Our parks are meant to be safe havens where New Yorkers can relax without the fear of their safety being compromised, and such alleged behavior will not be tolerated,” stated Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg in a released statement.

Longmire was already in police custody and facing charges related to a separate incident from 2023 involving alleged forcible touching in a subway station.

Police cordoning off the area where a woman was reportedly sexually assaulted while sunbathing in the park.   (Fox News)

The incident took place at approximately 1:30 p.m., with police responding to a section of Central Park near 104th Street following reports of an attempted rape on a female victim. A 21-year-old woman was peacefully sunbathing in a secluded part of the park when an African American man, believed to be in his 30s, approached her and indecently exposed himself.

Upon her attempt to flee, the man forcefully tackled her from behind. Despite the harrowing encounter, the victim managed to defend herself and escape the attacker, as per police reports. 

Surveillance footage was examined by investigators, leading to the identification of the suspect, whose image was cross-referenced with Longmire in a facial recognition system. Additionally, DNA evidence recovered from the woman’s clothing linked back to Longmire, further solidifying the case, according to NYPD Chief of Detectives Joe Kenny. 

Authorities in New York City providing an update following an alleged sexual assault on a woman in Central Park while she was sunbathing. (X/@NYPD News)

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Longmire was also wanted in connection with a forcible touching incident from March, during which he allegedly groped a woman’s buttocks from behind.