Bronx man convicted of sexually assaulting teens at knifepoint

A young Bronx man was sentenced to 12 years to life in prison for sexually assaulting two teenagers at knifepoint in 2022, authorities announced Wednesday.

Jaden Stephens, 21, pleaded guilty June 1 to assaulting a 19-year-old man and a 14-year-old boy in the Bronx two years ago, Bronx District Attorney Darcel Clark said in a statement. .

“The defendant forced himself on the victims at knifepoint and even recorded one of the attacks,” Clark said. “We are grateful that the victims came forward and courageously reported their attacker, so that we can bring them justice. »

On the night of May 1, 2022, Stephens brandished a knife and stole the phone of a 19-year-old man on Eastchester Road, authorities said. Stephens then forced the man to pull down his pants and performed oral sex on him without his consent, according to investigators.

When Stephens asked the 19-year-old victim to perform a sex act on him, the man refused, punched Stephens in the face and fled, police said.

Two weeks later, on the afternoon of May 14, Stephens followed a 14-year-old boy into the homes of Edenwald. During that incident, Stephens approached the boy with a knife and told him to go to the roof and hand over his phone, authorities said.

Stephens then pulled down the boy's pants and performed nonconsensual oral sex while recording the act on his own phone, police said. He threatened to post the video online if the boy went to the police.

Stephens pleaded guilty to two counts of predatory sexual assault.

Bronx Supreme Court Justice Laurence Busching sentenced him to 12 years to life in prison on each count, with the sentences running concurrently.