Man Arrested After Sexually Assaulting Women He Met Online
The internet has become a great tool for single men and women looking to meet someone new with websites like Match.com, Plenty of Fish, and OKCupid. While many have found success off these sites, with the anonymity of the internet, you never truly know what you’re getting into until you meet the person. For the past year several women on Long Island have fallen victim to a Hempstead man who preyed on them once the two were alone.
The man behind the attacks was 23-year-old Ramone Smith. He was finally caught after a collaboration between the Narcotics/Vice Bureau and the Special Victims Squad. According to detectives, Smith would escort the women into his Mineola apartment and sexually assault them either on the roof or in an elevator.
His first assault took place on August 28 of this year. After agreeing to meet online, Smith took the woman to the roof of his apartment, showed a knife, and then took advantage of her. He committed a similar crime a few days prior to that one. Instead of taking this woman to the roof though, Smith attacked her in an elevator.
During this particular incident Smith asked the woman to hand over the lingerie she brought with her. Once she did, he took out his knife and a struggle ensued. This woman was lucky enough to get hold of the knife and then escape when the elevator opened.
A third assault took place around the same time either in August or September. He followed the same pattern after meeting the woman online except she wasn’t lucky enough to escape.
The Hempstead resident was first arrested on September 4th for his attacks on these women. He was charged with Predatory Sexual Assault, Rape in the 1st Degree, Criminal Sexual Act in the 1st Degree, Robbery in the 1st Degree, Sexual Abuse in the 1st Degree, and Two Count of Criminal Possession in the 3rd Degree.
After a further investigation from Nassau County Police, Smith was once again arrested on November 15 during a court appearance. He was charged with Predatory Sexual Assault, Rape 1st Degree, Criminal Sexual Act 1st Degree, Robbery 1st Degree, Sexual Abuse 1st Degree, and two counts of Criminal Possession of a Weapon in the 3rd Degree.
Smith was arraigned for these charges on Saturday in the First District Court in Hempstead
[Source: Nassau County Police]