Courtesy Crime Stoppers
Christian Inga, a 25-year-old from Corona, has been indicted on serious charges, following an alleged attack on two 13-year-old girls in Kissena Corridor Park on June 13.
By MOHAMED FARGHALY
mfarghaly@queensledger.com
In an update to a disturbing case that has shaken the city earlier this year, Christian Inga, a 25-year-old resident of Corona, has been indicted on multiple serious charges, including predatory sexual assault, first-degree rape, and kidnapping, in connection with an assault on a 13-year-old girl and her friend at Kissena Corridor Park in Flushing. Queens District Attorney Melinda Katz announced the indictment on emphasizing the gravity of the alleged crimes.
The harrowing incident occurred on June 13, when Inga approached the two girls, who were enjoying a sunny afternoon in the park after school. Armed with a machete-style knife, Inga reportedly threatened the children, coercing them into a nearby wooded area. There, he allegedly bound their wrists with a shoelace, gagged both victims with cloth, and sexually assaulted the girl while the boy was also restrained.
“This was a daytime nightmare for two children who were simply enjoying a day in the park after school,” Queens District Attorney Melinda Katz said. “The defendant is accused of raping the girl after threatening the youngsters with a knife, forcing them into a wooded area, tying them together and gagging them. These children gave a detailed description of their alleged attacker and thanks to community members and the NYPD, Christian Inga was arrested after an intensive manhunt. The defendant is now charged with predatory sexual assault – one of the highest charges available in New York state – and will face justice in our courts.”
Inga is facing a total of 16 charges, which include three counts of predatory sexual assault, two counts of kidnapping in the second degree, two counts of robbery in the first degree, and several counts of sexual abuse and endangering the welfare of a child. If convicted, he faces a potential sentence of 25 years to life in prison, reflecting the severity of the crimes committed.
Following the attack, the NYPD launched an intensive week-long manhunt for Inga, during which they released surveillance images to the public in hopes of identifying him. The cooperation of community members proved crucial, as several individuals recognized Inga from the images. He was ultimately apprehended early Tuesday morning at a single-room-occupancy dwelling in Corona, just three miles from the park. Upon his arrest, a physical altercation ensued, resulting in minor injuries to the suspect, who was then taken to a local hospital for evaluation before being remanded into police custody.
Inga was arraigned before Queens Supreme Court Justice Ushir Pandit-Durant, where he was formally charged. The judge continued his remand and scheduled his next court appearance for November 12. The prosecution is being led by Assistant District Attorney Kasey Esposito, who is part of the District Attorney’s Special Victims Bureau, under the supervision of experienced attorneys specializing in cases involving vulnerable victims.
The investigation was conducted by the Queens Special Victims Squad, led by Detective George Allen, who emphasized the department’s dedication to handling such sensitive cases with the utmost care and urgency.
Criminal complaints and indictments are accusations. A defendant is presumed innocent until proven guilty.
