October 30, 2014

Queens Man Arrested for Sexually Abusing Three Girls at Fort Hamilton Military Base

Federal agents arrested a Queens man earlier today on charges of coercing and enticing three minors to engage in sexual activity and sexually abusing minors. The defendant, Fausto Bonifaz, is scheduled to be arraigned later today before United States Magistrate Judge Robert M. Levy at the U.S. Courthouse, 225 Cadman Plaza East, Brooklyn, New York.

The arrest was announced by Loretta E. Lynch, United States Attorney for the Eastern District of New York and George Venizelos, Assistant Director-in-Charge, Federal Bureau of Investigation, New York Field Office.

According to a detention memorandum filed today and an indictment returned by a grand jury yesterday, the defendant sexually abused three girls, whose ages ranged from 12 to 13, at the Fort Hamilton Army Base in Brooklyn, New York. The defendant was a civilian who had been admitted to the base because he worked with a victim’s mother and had access to her house. The defendant’s actions were uncovered when, years later, one of the victims reported the abuse to a counselor. Prior to his arrest, the defendant admitted to FBI agents that he had sexually abused one of the victims and signed a written statement detailing the abuse.

“Protecting children from sexual predators is one of our highest priorities. We will not allow people such as the defendant to prey on the families of our military, and we will investigate all allegations of abuse,” stated United States Attorney Lynch. Ms. Lynch expressed her grateful appreciation to the Federal Bureau of Investigation who investigated this case.

FBI Assistant Director-in-Charge Venizelos stated, “The act of sexual abuse haunts its victims long after the crime has been committed, setting them up for a life overshadowed by despair. Today’s charges underscore our commitment to protect our children—our nation’s greatest asset—from this type of violence carried out by predators who seek to destroy their innocence.”

The charges in the indictment are merely allegations, and the defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty. If convicted, the defendant faces a minimum of ten years’ imprisonment.

The government’s case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Tiana Demas.

The Defendant:

  • Name: FAUSTO BONIFAZ
  • Age: 39
  • Queens, New York