On May 30, 2024, 44-year-old Leroy Hatcher was sentenced to serve 17 years to life in prison after being found guilty of first-degree attempted criminal sexual act and first-degree sexual abuse. According to court records, Hatcher pleaded guilty after reviewing the evidence against him and considering his legal options.

Reports show that the victim, a 62-year-old woman, was walking in Stuyvesant Heights and going to work on Feb 6, 2021. It was around 5:45 A.M., and the suspect was also walking in the area when he noticed the victim.

The suspect reportedly grabbed the elderly victim by her hair. He put his hand over her mouth to prevent her from screaming or drawing attention to his attack. He dragged the victim into an alley before putting a knife to her throat. From there, he sexually assaulted the victim at knifepoint. The suspect then ran away from the area on foot.

Investigators were able to obtain surveillance video footage of the alleyway attack from different angles, which helped them identify the suspect. Detectives also collected a condom from the scene. Upon testing it, they discovered both the victim’s DNA and the DNA profile of the suspect. A few weeks after the attack on February 24, 2021, Leroy Hatcher was taken into police custody.

District Attorney Eric Gonzalez called the incident “horrific and violent.” Considering the victim’s vulnerable age, it makes sense that the suspect’s sentence is lengthy.

Have You Been Accused of a Sexual-Related Crime Near Brooklyn?

If you ever get accused of committing a sexual-related crime in Brooklyn, then it’s important to hire legal representation as soon as possible. Not only is your freedom potentially at risk, but you’re also likely to deal with a windfall of other consequences professionally and personally. Even worse, a conviction will have serious repercussions even after you serve your time.

A conviction could result in jail time and fines. If the offense is a felony, then expect to lose certain rights like the right to vote, hold public office, and possess a firearm. On top of that, you’ll have to register on a sex offender list. This public registry will display your name, charges, and address for everyone to see. You will face restrictions on where you can reside, work, and even travel. While you’re on this list, you’ll also need to keep your information up to date.

The best way to avoid all these consequences is to avoid a conviction in the first place. To do that, you’ll want to consider hiring a criminal defense attorney to advocate for you.

The right lawyer will help you go over all your legal options based on the facts surrounding your charges and arrest. Here at Bukh Law, our team can help you navigate your legal situation if you recently got charged with a sexual-related crime in Brooklyn or a nearby area. Attorney Arkady Bukh has over a decade of experience handling similar cases, so you can rely on his expertise.

Schedule a call now to get started on your case.