Rapist Gets 12 Years for Attacking Queens Bus Rider

Queens Man Stalked, Raped Woman Walking Home from Bus

Photo courtesy of NYPD

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A Queens man who stalked a woman on a city bus, and then viciously raped her on the sidewalk has been sentenced to 12 years in prison. 

Queens District Attorney Melinda Katz announced that Matthew Luna, 27, of Long Island City has been sentenced to 12 years in prison for pursuing and raping a woman shortly after she exited a bus in Sunnyside on the night of February 15, 2019. 

Luna had pled guilty to the attack back in January. 

District Attorney Katz said that on February 15, 2019, the defendant boarded a city bus where he first spotted the 20-year-old woman. He then followed her when she exited the bus near 54^th Street and Skillman Avenue. 

Moments later, Luna approached her and asked for directions to a nearby subway station. The defendant continued talking to the woman, telling her she was pretty and asking for a hug. Startled by the defendant’s request, the victim backed away from him. 

Luna then grabbed her arms and said in sum and substance “Just give me what I want so I don’t have to kill you.”

Continuing, according to the charges, the defendant then struck the woman, shoved her against a parked vehicle, ripped off her clothes from the waist down and sexually assaulted her. He continued the attack by throwing the victim to the ground and raping her.

The woman was taken to a local Queens hospital where she was treated for her injuries. Three days later (February 18), after photos and a video were circulated in the media, Luna walked into a local precinct and surrendered to police.

“The defendant has admitted to the sexual attack on this young woman,” Katz said. “It was a vicious, violent act that should never happen on our streets. My office will vigorously prosecute those who violate and victimize others and the sentence imposed today by the Court punishes the defendant for his criminal acts.”