NEW YORK — Felix Rosa, 30, was sentenced to 20 years-to-life in state prison for violating an order of protection, kidnapping his former girlfriend, and raping her while threatening her with a razor blade. On August 22, 2018, a New York State Supreme Court jury found the defendant guilty of Predatory Sexual Assault, Kidnapping in the Second Degree, and Aggravated Criminal Contempt.
“Our prosecutors do not stop seeking justice when a defendant flees or fails to return to court, even in the middle of an ongoing trial,” said District Attorney Vance. “In this case, Felix Rosa was tried and convicted in absentia for brutally kidnapping and raping a former intimate partner, whose incredible courage in facing her abuser is only highlighted by the cowardice of the defendant, who instead chose to run. I thank the survivor for her bravery, as well as the prosecutors and members of law enforcement whose hard work has ensured that a lengthy prison sentence is only a step behind the defendant, wherever he may try to go.”
As proven at trial, on the evening of July 28, 2017, Rosa drove to his ex-girlfriend’s home, in direct violation of an existing order of protection issued against the defendant, and waited overnight for her to appear. After getting her attention the next morning and calling her over, ROSA grabbed her by the hair, dragged her through the driver’s side window into the car, and drove to Highbridge Park. Over the next two hours, the defendant beat the woman, striking her repeatedly on the head and body, slashed her with a razor, and threatened to kill her. The defendant then forced the woman to remove her clothes and raped her inside the car while continuing to threaten her with the razor blade.
In September 2017, Rosa was arrested and arraigned in Manhattan on a criminal court complaint. At the time of arraignment, prosecutors requested bail in the amount of $150,000; it was set at $100,000 cash or bond. Following the defendant’s subsequent arraignment on an indictment in New York State Supreme Court, the People requested that bail be increased to $250,000. The request was denied and bail remained at $100,000. In February 2018, six months before the start of trial, Rosa was released after he posted bail bond. Following the survivor’s trial testimony, on Friday, August 17, 2018, the People requested that bail be revoked and the defendant remanded for the duration of the trial. The request was denied, and on Monday, August 20, 2018, ROSA failed to return to court and a bench warrant was ordered. The defendant was subsequently convicted and sentenced in absentia.
