Bronx District Attorney Darcel D. Clark announced on Wednesday, March 9, that a man has been charged with attempted rape in the first degree and additional charges for attacking a five-months’ pregnant woman in front of her apartment building in Melrose in August 2021.

 

Clark said the defendant, Amara Doumbouya, 27, who was apprehended in Cincinnati, Ohio, was arraigned on Wednesday on attempted rape in the first degree, second and third-degree burglary, first-degree sexual abuse, second-degree strangulation, criminal obstruction of breathing or blood circulation, third-degree assault, and attempted rape in the third degree before Bronx Supreme Court Justice Steven Barrett.

 

According to the investigation, on Aug. 9, 2021, at approximately 2:30 a.m., the victim, a 37-year-old woman, who was five-months’ pregnant at the time, was sitting alone on the front steps of her apartment building on Morris Avenue when the defendant allegedly approached her and made obscene remarks.

 

When the victim began to make her way into her apartment building, Doumbouya allegedly grabbed her and pulled her shirt over her face, covering her nose and mouth, and wrapped her scarf around her neck until she could not breathe. The defendant allegedly threw her to the ground and dragged her into the building’s vestibule, pulled off her clothes, climbed on top of her and tried to kiss her.

 

Doumbouya then allegedly repeatedly punched and kicked the victim and used his body to cover her nose and mouth, causing her to experience stupor. A neighbor heard the victim screaming and came to her aid. The defendant fled the scene. The neighbor called 911 and the victim was taken to a local hospital for bruising, swelling, soreness to her neck, back and abdomen, and lacerations to her mouth.

 

The defendant was on the run for months and was arrested on Feb. 19, 2022 in Cincinnati, Ohio. He was extradited to The Bronx on March 8.

 

In the context of the announcement, Clark said, “The defendant allegedly tried to rape a five-months’ pregnant woman, kicking and punching her in the face, head and abdomen. The defendant also allegedly strangled the victim.” She added, “The atrocious attack left her with bruises, lacerations and swelling. Fortunately, the victim gave birth to a healthy baby months after the horrendous incident.”

 

The case is being prosecuted by assistant district attorney, Rachael Baughman, of the child abuse/sex crimes bureau, under the supervision of Rachel Ferrari, chief of the child abuse/sex crimes bureau, and under the overall supervision of Adrienne Giunta, deputy chief of the special victims division, and Joseph Muroff, chief of the special victims division.

 

Clark thanked trial preparation assistant, Elaina Clarke, of the child abuse/sex crimes bureau, and administrative supervisor, Sonia Sam of the extraditions unit, as well as Detective Andrew Tuers and Sergeant Kevin Hoare of the NYPD special victims unit, Detective Peter McCarthy of the NYPD warrants squad, and Detective Brandon Goff of the Cheviot Police Department from Cincinnati, Ohio for their assistance in the investigation.

 

A person arrested and charged with a crime is innocent unless and until convicted in a court of law.

 

The defendant was remanded and is due back in court on May 17, 2022.

 

If you or someone you know has been a victim of a sexual assault, help is available:

Bronx County District Attorney Crime Victims Assistance Unit 198 East 161st St. Bronx 10451 (718) 590-2114 (718) 590-2115
Bronx Kingsbridge Heights Community Center, Inc. 3101 Kingsbridge Terrace Bronx 10463 (718) 884-0700 (718) 884-0700
(212) 227-3000

 

If you are in immediate danger, call 911.