The man who police say raped five women during an early 1990s Queens spree was arrested in Georgia.
Michael Benjamin, 57, arrived in New York City on Thursday morning for an arraignment in Queens.
“I didn’t do this! I didn’t do none of this! What witness? What fingerprints? I didn’t do this!” Benjamin said.
After Benjamin’s DNA, retested last year with technology not previously available, linked him to the attacks, he was arrested in August by the Rockdale County Sheriff’s Office in Georgia.
Benjamin is charged with rape, sodomy, sexual assault, and burglary for allegedly raping five women from 1995 to 1997.
He allegedly entered his victims’ homes through a window, tied their hands, held a weapon to their necks, and stole money or other valuables after the rapes.
Prosecutors say each of the victims consented to a rape kit at the time of the attack
Investigators cracked the case after pre-indicting the DNA so the statute of limitations would not expire before technology caught up with the crime.
In May 2024, they say DNA from a discarded cup used by Benjamin matched the DNA retrieved from the victims.
On July 24, 1995, Benjamin allegedly broke into the home of victim #1 through a window while she slept. He pulled a sheet over her head, tied the victim up, raped her and fled with her cash and jewelry, the indictment said.
On August 24, 1996, Benjamin allegedly broke into the home of victim #2 while she slept. He placed a jacket over her head and raped her, the indictment said.
On September 16, 1996, Benjamin allegedly approached victim #3 as she walked to her front door. He forced the woman inside her house at gunpoint and threatened to kill her husband and child, who were home, if she did not comply with his demands. Benjamin proceeded to rape the victim before fleeing with cash, the indictment said.
On February 8, 1997, Benjamin allegedly broke into the home of victims #4 and #5, holding a gun. He proceeded to rape the victims and fled the scene with cash and jewelry, the indictment said.
Perhaps even more disturbing though, are the alleged assaults he is not being charged with due to the statute of limitations.
Prosecutors say he was arrested in Brooklyn for raping a 12-year-old over a 10-month period in 1990.
He pleaded guilty to attempted rape and was sentenced to five years’ probation.
He became a level 3 sex offender, the highest risk repeat offender.
“My client vigorously, vehemently, and vociferously deny the allegations. I think that most of these charges are probably outside the statute of limitations before we even get into the merits of the case. I think he stands ready, willing, and able to fight this case and he looks forward to his day in court,” Defense Attorney Joseph Amsel said.
Benjamin is facing up to 25 years in prison if convicted.
He was held without bail and is due back in court on December 5th.
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