Man convicted of sexual assault in Stuyvesant Heights

A Brooklyn man was sentenced to 17 years to life in prison for sexually assaulting a woman in Stuyvesant Heights. The victim, a 62-year-old woman, was on her way to work when the defendant attacked her.

“This horrific and violent attack on an innocent woman shocks the conscience, and the depravity of the crime warrants a lengthy prison sentence today,” said prosecutor Eric Gonzalez. “We are steadfast in our commitment to achieving justice for all victims of sexual violence and continuing the progress we have made to make Brooklyn safer for everyone. »

The defendant, identified as Leroy Hatcher, 44, of Stuyvesant Heights, was sentenced by Brooklyn Supreme Court Justice Danny Chun. Hatcher pleaded guilty to attempted first-degree criminal sexual act and first-degree sexual abuse on May 30, 2024.

According to the investigation, the assault occurred on February 6, 2021, around 5:45 a.m. The victim was walking to work near 482 Kosciuszko Street when Hatcher grabbed her by the hair and put hand over mouth. He then pushed her into an alley, put a knife to her throat and sexually assaulted her at knifepoint before fleeing the scene.

Surveillance video from multiple locations helped identify Hatcher, as well as identification by a detective and his parole officer. A condom recovered from the alley contained the DNA of the accused and the victim. Hatcher was apprehended on February 24, 2021.

The case was prosecuted by Senior Assistant Prosecutor Gwen Barnes and Assistant Prosecutor Sherri Litvak of the District Attorney's Special Victims Bureau under the supervision of Assistant Prosecutor Miss Gregory, Office Chief.