A Queens man is facing serious charges after an incident involving a child in Woodhaven, as well as an indecent exposure in Richmond Hill. As reported by the Queens District Attorney's Office, John Garrison, 53, has been charged with sexual abuse in the first degree and other crimes following his alarming actions this past week.
The accusations outlined are disturbing. Allegedly, Garrison followed and then assaulted a 10-year-old girl last Wednesday, threatening to end her life as she tried to evade him. Walking, Garrison began following the girl at around 2:55 p.m., according to Queens District Attorney Melinda Katz. Panicked, the young girl screamed, which prompted Garrison to tell her, "Sit down, shut up or I will kill you." He didn't stop at just words, though, as he is accused of physically assaulting her before fleeing the scene, as detailed by the Queens District Attorney's Office.
The next day, Garrison's behavior reportedly took another concerning turn in public view. In Richmond Hill, at the intersection of 104th Street and Jamaica Avenue, Garrison pulled down his pants and exposed himself around 12:30 p.m. When officers attempted to arrest Garrison, he resisted, flailing his arms and kicking his legs, Katz's office reported.
Now with Garrison remanded, he awaits his return to Supreme Court Justice Bruna DiBiase's courtroom today, after having been ordered to be held on this case and an open parole warrant. The gravity of the charges means Garrison could face up to seven years in prison if convicted. Assistant District Attorney Brianne Richards, of the Special Victims Bureau, leads the prosecution on an endeavour aimed to secure justice for the young survivor.
The Queens DA underscored the bravery of the survivor and her family for their cooperation, stating, “As alleged, the defendant terrorized and sexually assaulted a child as she walked down the street in the middle of the afternoon. Just one day later, a member of the NYPD allegedly observed the defendant exposing himself in Richmond Hill. I thank the brave survivor and her family for working with my office and the NYPD as we work to secure justice in this case,” as noted by the Queens District Attorney's Office.
