DNA evidence led to all charges being dropped against a man accused of attacking an 11-year-old in Queens.\u00a0<\/p>\n
In an exclusive interview, Queens District Attorney Melinda Katz says her team found the actual attacker and linked him to two other crimes.<\/p>\n
Katz told CBS News New York there might be more victims out there.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Katz said an image captures Stephon Sanderson trying to kidnap a 9-year-old on her way to school in 2024. Investigators say\u00a0 Sanderson faked a call with the girl’s mother, saying she gave permission for her to ride off with him on his bike in Richmond Hill.\u00a0<\/p>\n
“The child knew he wasn’t talking to the mother, so she grabbed the phone and ran to school,” Katz said.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Katz is now charging Sanderson not just with attempted kidnapping; she alleges he also raped an 18-year-old and sexually abused an 11-year-old.<\/p>\n
“I’m very proud of the work this office did in order to tie all these crimes together and so justice will be served,” Katz said.\u00a0<\/p>\n
This indictment says Sanderson raped a woman about a year after the kidnapping attempt. Prosecutors claim he tied the 18-year-old up before she broke free and ran to a nearby police car. Responding officers did not find Sanderson.<\/p>\n
Days later, investigators say he forced an 11-year-old girl into the woods in Forest Park, groped her, and punched her in the face.<\/p>\n
“Anytime you have sexual crimes it’s quite disturbing. When you have it with children, it highlights even more for you as a law enforcement agent,” Katz said.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Investigators say Sanderson ran off when the girl screamed out for her dad, but prosecutors say the father and daughter pointed out someone else at the park as the attacker.<\/p>\n
Police arrested that person — not Sanderson — and prosecutors requested a DNA sample from the girl’s shirt.<\/p>\n
“Miraculously, there was actually some DNA on there, and you know it’s not always the case. You could have a situation where there is no DNA,” Katz said.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Earlier this year, prosecutors learned the DNA did not match the man the girl pointed out in the park, and requested his release.<\/p>\n
This month, the NYPD arrested Sanderson on a warrant for driving while intoxicated in Pennsylvania. Investigators say they tested the butt of a cigarette he’d smoked at the 102nd Precinct and found a DNA match to the shirt.<\/p>\n
“Do you think there might be more victims out there?” CBS News New York’s Tim McNicholas asked.\u00a0<\/p>\n
“Part of the reason we are grateful for your coverage is that there might be more victims,” Katz said.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Katz and the NYPD are asking any other victims to come forward. She says DNA also matched evidence found from the rape of the 18-year-old.<\/p>\n
We reached out to the NYPD and to Sanderson’s attorney asking for interviews and neither has gotten back to us.<\/p>\n