A 32-year-old Lyons man is facing an attempted first-degree rape charge after Wayne County deputies say he lured a woman behind a Water Street business and attacked her, choking her as she tried to break free. Rufus Hall was arrested more than a month after the alleged Sept. 5 attack and was arraigned the same evening, with bail set at $25,000 cash or a $50,000 bond.
According to 13WHAM-TV, Hall allegedly lured the woman behind the business around 4 p.m. on Sept. 5, 2026, then became physically aggressive, grabbing her and throwing her to the ground as she tried to get away. Deputies said he threatened and choked the woman before she managed to escape with minor injuries. The incident was reported to deputies early the following morning, prompting an investigation that stretched on for weeks before an arrest was made.
Charges Filed Weeks After the Alleged Attack
WHEC reported that Hall lured the woman behind the Water Street business in the Town of Lyons before the alleged assault, and that he made verbal threats toward her while choking her. Hall was ultimately taken into custody on Oct. 9 and brought to the Wayne County Jail, where he was charged with attempted rape, assault and obstruction of breathing, the station reported.
FingerLakes1 noted that deputies responded to a North Canal Street residence early on Sept. 6 after the attack was reported, and confirmed that Hall was charged with attempted first-degree rape, third-degree assault and obstruction of breathing. Per fingerlakes1.com, Hall was arraigned Friday at 7 p.m. and is expected to appear in court again, though an exact date for that hearing has not been released.
Bail Set, Case Still Pending
Wayne County Sheriff Robert Milby confirmed that bail was set at $25,000 cash or a $50,000 bond following the arraignment. The 13WHAM-TV report states that Hall is scheduled to return to court at a later date, with no further details yet available on his attorney, plea or custody status.
The attempted rape charge stems from New York Penal Law § 130.35, the state's first-degree rape statute, while the obstruction of breathing charge falls under § 121.11, which addresses conduct intended to impede another person's normal breathing or blood circulation, including applying pressure to the throat or neck.
Unrelated June Case Also on Hall's Record
The case follows an unrelated arrest in June 2026, when deputies said Hall was taken into custody outside the Lyons DMV. In that incident, deputies said he smelled the seat of a woman's motorcycle before returning and stealing a custom seat cover valued at $140. He was charged with petit larceny in that case and released on an appearance ticket, the station's report noted.
