Brutal sexual assault brings Brooklyn indictment of Queens man

Rasi Vendryes’ sprinter-style van. Photo courtesy of the Brooklyn DA’s Office.

PENNSYLVANIA AVENUE – Brooklyn District Attorney Eric Gonzalez announced that a Queens man has been arraigned on an indictment for allegedly kidnapping, assaulting and sexually abusing a 25-year-old woman.

“This was an exceptionally violent and degrading attack, and the allegations reflect a level of cruelty that is deeply disturbing,” Gonzalez said. “We will use every tool available to hold the defendant accountable and to pursue any individual who uses such horrific violence and brutality to prey on at-risk individuals in Brooklyn.”

The defendant, Rasi Vendryes, 48, of Queens, is charged in a multi-count indictment with second-degree kidnapping, first-degree sexual abuse, second-degree strangulation as a sexually motivated felony, second-degree robbery as a sexually motivated felony and related counts.

He was arraigned before Brooklyn Supreme Court Justice Adam Perlmutter. Bail was set at $75,000 cash or $150,000 bond. The defendant was ordered to return to court on Jan. 28, 2026.

According to the investigation, on Dec. 31, 2023, at approximately 3 a.m., the victim, who was engaged in prostitution, approached the defendant’s grey Sprinter-style van near Malta Avenue after the two agreed to meet.

Rasi Vendryes, 48, of Queens, was charged with multiple sexual and related felony counts. If you believe you have been a victim of this defendant, please call the District Attorney’s Human Trafficking hotline at 718-250-2770. Photo courtesy of the Brooklyn DA’s Office.

After the victim entered the vehicle, Vendryes allegedly drove her to a more secluded area and brought her to the back of the van. Once there, the victim observed bleach and metal chains.

The defendant then struck the victim in the head, disorienting her and causing her to fall to the floor of the van. He sat on her stomach, placed his hands around her neck and punched her repeatedly, while threatening to kill her if she attempted to escape.

During the attack, the defendant allegedly sexually assaulted her while continuing to strangle her. The victim struggled to breathe, her vision blurred, and she began to lose feeling in her extremities.

The victim was able to get to the front of the van, where she observed a large knife on the dashboard as the defendant allegedly locked the doors.

She rolled down the passenger side window, and when she leaned out the window to scream for help, the defendant pushed her out of the vehicle, leaving her partially unclothed in the street.

He drove off with her purse, jacket and phone.

The victim later sought medical treatment and was found to have injuries consistent with the assault, including pain and visible trauma to her head and body. Her cell phone was later located using the Find My app in a Queens park near Vendryes’ home.

The victim reported the attack in August 2024, when she encountered an NYPD Human Trafficking Team detective conducting outreach in an area, commonly known as the “Penn Track,” a stretch of roadway along Pennsylvania Avenue, near Malta Street and Linden Boulevard, in East New York, that is frequently used by people engaged in sexual conduct for money.

In September 2024, the victim saw Vendryes driving in the area. She photographed his license plate, later identifying him in a photo array, which led to his arrest.

The case investigation was led by New York City Police Department Detective Denis Regimbal of the FBI-NYPD Child Exploitation and Human Trafficking Task Force, under the supervision of Lieutenant Amy Morin, and the overall supervision of Inspector Gary Marcus.

The District Attorney thanked Human Trafficking Unit Social Worker Raquel Alger, Office Manager Aurora Martinez and Paralegal Aaliyah Antrobus, as well as Senior Assistant District Attorney Grace Hogan and Office Manager Brenda Campbell of the Law Enforcement Assistance Unit.

The case is being prosecuted by Assistant District Attorney Mary Monahan, deputy chief of the District Attorney’s Human Trafficking Unit, under the supervision of Unit Chief Assistant District Attorney David Weiss, and the overall supervision of Assistant District Attorney Miss Gregory, chief of the Special Victims Bureau.

If you believe you have been a victim of this defendant, please call the District Attorney’s Human Trafficking hotline at 718-250-2770.