Man from Queens arrested for raping 18-year-old woman after restraining her with a knife.
An 18-year-old woman was allegedly bound and raped inside a Queens apartment over a year ago, and law enforcement officials announced on Friday that a suspect has been apprehended in connection with the incident.
The reported assault occurred on May 12, 2025, in an apartment located on Sutphin Boulevard near 116th Drive in the South Jamaica neighborhood of Queens. According to police sources, the victim had gone to meet the suspect there when he allegedly threatened her with a knife, restrained her, and subsequently assaulted her. Following the incident, the victim sought medical attention at a local hospital for injuries sustained during the attack.
Authorities have identified the suspect as 31-year-old Stephon Sanderson, who was arrested on Thursday and faces multiple charges, including rape, predatory sexual assault, and sexual abuse. In addition to these charges, Sanderson has also been implicated in separate incidents from 2024, in which he is accused of attempting to kidnap a 9-year-old girl and successfully kidnapping an 11-year-old girl, both occurring in Queens. Specific details regarding these incidents have not yet been made public.
The timeline of Sanderson’s criminal history reveals that his initial arrest in New York happened on September 1, when he was taken into custody for an out-of-state warrant related to a DUI charge in Pennsylvania. Following his recent arraignment in Queens Criminal Court, Sanderson pleaded not guilty and was ordered to be held without bail.
As the investigation continues, the New York Police Department has released a photograph of Sanderson and is actively encouraging anyone who may have been victimized by him to come forward. Law enforcement agencies stress the importance of reporting such crimes and have provided a hotline for victims — the NYPD’s Sex Crimes Hotline, which can be reached at (212) 267-7273.
The arrest of Sanderson represents a significant development in a case that has raised serious concerns about public safety in the community. The apprehension of suspects involved in violent crimes underscores the ongoing efforts by law enforcement to protect citizens and hold perpetrators accountable for their actions. Media News Source will continue to monitor this story as new information becomes available.
