Manhattan District Attorney Alvin L. Bragg, Jr., has announced the sentencing of 33-year-old Quamae Taylor to nine years in state prison for raping an acquaintance who was asleep. The incident occurred in March 2024, and Taylor entered a guilty plea to one count of Rape in the First Degree on September 18, according to official statements from the Manhattan District Attorney's Office.
In remarks preserved by the Manhattan District Attorney's Office, District Attorney Bragg stressed the gravity of the crime, saying, "Quamae Taylor took advantage of this survivor’s vulnerable state and raped her while she was asleep and physically helpless." Bragg praised the survivor for her resilience and courage in facing the perpetrator during sentencing. Bragg also highlighted that this case challenges the common perception of rape as it involved an acquaintance and occurred within the supposed safety of a home rather than an anonymous public space.
The case unfolded when Taylor, after having dinner with the victim and her sister to celebrate her birthday, assaulted the victim as she slept. Upon waking to the assault, the victim immediately alerted the NYPD leading to Taylor's arrest. The prosecution was led by Assistant D.A. Phoebe Rosenfeld with the support of several members of the Special Victims Division.
Bragg's office has issued an encouragement to survivors of sexual crimes to reach out for help, stating, "regardless of the circumstances, rape is rape, and we are here to help you." The message underscores the commitment of the Manhattan District Attorney's Office to support survivors and move against misconceptions surrounding the nature of sexual assault crimes.
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