Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg has announced the indictment of Cecil McKenzie, charged with third-degree burglary and two counts of persistent sexual abuse after allegedly groping two women on a subway train, despite being banned from the MTA for similar past misconduct. McKenzie boarded an uptown 4-train at the Brooklyn Bridge-City Hall subway station on January 17, around 9:43 a.m., and was apprehended by undercover cops who witnessed the assault before the train arrived at the 14th Street-Union Square stop, according to a statement from the Manhattan District Attorney's office.
"Our subways should be safe places for everyone to travel and commute," Bragg stated. He went on to describe how McKenzie not only broke the law by entering the subway system from which he was barred but also reoffended by allegedly sexually abusing two passengers there. McKenzie was previously convicted of persistent sexual abuse in 2013 and again in 2017, with these convictions forming the basis of the current charges, as detailed by the Manhattan District Attorney's office.
The NYPD, specifically Transit District 4 Officers Farhan Chowdhury and Krystelle Smiley, and Sergeant Juan Hernandez were applauded by District Attorney Bragg for their role in the apprehension of McKenzie. The Office of the Manhattan D.A. is actively seeking any further information related to this incident and encourages individuals to contact them directly at 212-335-9373 to assist in the ongoing investigation.
Assistant D.A. Cory Robinson, under the supervision of Assistant D.A.s Vanessa Puzio and Bethany Spiro, the Deputy Chiefs of the Intimate Partner and Sexual Violence Bureau, along with Maxine Rosenthal, who serves as Senior Counsel to the Special Victims Division, and Executive Assistant D.A. Justin McNabney, the Chief of the Special Victims Division are spearheading the prosecution, whereas Paralegal Rachel Miller and Survivor Services Bureau Counselor Kara Wissing are providing valuable assistance in the case, this collaborative effort exemplifies the dedication of the District Attorney's office to tackling such serious offenses within the city's transit system.
