Matthew Luna (NYPD)
Aug. 20, 2020 By Christian Murray
A Long Island City man who raped a woman near Skillman Avenue in Sunnyside last year was sentenced to 12 years in prison, the Queens District Attorney announced today.
Matthew Luna, 27, who pleaded guilty to first-degree rape in January, sexually attacked a 20-year-old woman in the vicinity of Skillman Avenue and 54th Street at around 10:30 p.m. on Feb. 15, 2019.
Luna attacked the woman after he following her on foot after she got off a bus in Woodside.
When he caught up to her, he asked the victim for directions to a nearby subway station. He then told the young woman that she was pretty and asked for a hug.
The victim, startled, backed away from Luna, who allegedly grabbed her arms and uttered. “Just give me what I want so I don’t have to kill you,” the DA said.
Luna then struck the 20-year-old, shoved her against a parked car, ripped off her clothes from the waist down and sexually assaulted her. He then threw her to the ground and raped her.
The woman was taken to a local hospital, where she was treated for her injuries.
Luna was arrested three days, turning himself into police in a case that shook the neighborhood.
The defendant, according to the DA, surrendered after video surveillance and photos of him became widespread.
“It was a vicious, violent act that should never happen on our streets,” said Queens District Attorney Melinda Katz in a statement.
Luna was sentenced to 12 years in prison to be followed by 10 years’ post release supervision. He is also required to register as a sex offender.
Video released by police on Matthew Luna days after the rape
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