NYPD suggests serial rapist who operated in Queens during the 1990s may have more unidentified victims.

Authorities have apprehended a man suspected of being a serial rapist who terrorized residents of Queens, New York, during the mid-1990s. Michael Benjamin, now 57 years old, was arrested in Georgia on October 16, 2025, by the Special Victims DNA Cold Case Squad. He faces charges related to the rapes of five women between 1995 and 1997, several of which involved threats of violence, including the use of a firearm.

Detectives believe that Benjamin, whose physical appearance has changed only slightly over the decades—now featuring gray in his beard and glasses—may have additional victims who have yet to come forward. In an appeal for information, police released images of Benjamin from both his younger years and his most recent mugshot to provoke potential witnesses or victims to assist in the investigation.

Benjamin is alleged to have utilized a consistent modus operandi during his crimes, often breaking into victims’ homes in the early morning hours through windows. His assaults typically occurred between 1:30 a.m. and 5:00 a.m. Investigators detailed brutal incidents, including a July 1995 attack on a 23-year-old woman and another incident in September 1996 where he allegedly assaulted a 21-year-old woman at gunpoint while threatening her spouse and child.

The investigation into Benjamin was significantly advanced by modern forensic technology. A fingerprint collected from one of the crime scenes was retested last year and matched Benjamin’s identity. Notably, DNA evidence collected from a cup he used in Georgia was linked to genetic material recovered from the crime scenes in Queens, confirming his involvement.

Additionally, law enforcement is examining six other rape cases from 1992 in Laurelton that may be connected to Benjamin. Unfortunately, the statute of limitations for those cases has expired, complicating any charges that could be brought forward.

Benjamin’s prior criminal history includes a guilty plea for attempted rape in 1995 involving a 12-year-old girl and indicates a long-standing pattern of violent behavior. If convicted on the current charges, he potentially faces a sentence of 25 years in prison.

Benjamin is scheduled to appear in court on December 5, 2025, as the investigation continues. Authorities are urging anyone with further information regarding his actions or possible additional victims to contact Crime Stoppers at (800) 577-TIPS, ensuring that all communications will be treated with confidentiality.