Bronx District Attorney Darcel D. Clark announced on Wednesday, May 25, that a Bronx man was charged with attempted murder, attempted rape, along with additional charges for allegedly sexually assaulting, strangling, and beating a woman inside a University Heights building.

 

According to the prosecution’s investigation, inside a hallway in a building on Davidson Avenue on March 11, at approximately 3:30 p.m., the defendant, Jason Dickerson, 34, of Bailey Avenue in Kingsbridge Heights, allegedly offered the victim, a 27-year-old woman, money for sex. She complied and after engaging in sexual acts, Dickerson demanded his money back.

 

When the woman refused to give him the money, he allegedly put his arm around her neck and strangled her repeatedly until she lost consciousness. Dickerson allegedly then sexually abused the woman and attempted to rape her while she was unconscious. When she regained consciousness, she screamed loudly, and he ran off. The incident was captured on surveillance video.

 

During the struggle, Dickerson allegedly struck the victim, causing a laceration to her face, as well as fractures to her skull and nasal bones. The victim had to remain in the hospital for days as a result of her injuries.

 

In the context of the announcement, Clark said, in part, “The brutality left the victim with fractured bones and blood loss. We will pursue justice for her.”

 

She said Dickerson was arraigned on attempted murder in the first degree, attempted murder in the second degree, two counts of attempted rape in the first degree, two counts of first-degree sexual abuse, second-degree sexual abuse, first and second-degree strangulation, criminal obstruction of breathing or blood circulation, and second-degree assault before Bronx Supreme Court Justice Raymond Bruce.

 

The case is being prosecuted by Assistant District Attorney Tiffany Wichman of the child abuse/sex crimes bureau under the supervision of Deputy Chief Johanna Hernandez of the child abuse/sex crimes bureau, Mimi Mairs, chief of the child abuse/sex crimes bureau, and under the overall supervision of Adrienne Giunta, deputy chief of the special victims division, and Joseph Muroff, chief of the special victims division.

 

Clark thanked Detective Ernesto Castillo of the NYPD Bronx special victims squad, Neighborhood Coordination Officer Gregory Scott of the 52^nd precinct, Detective Jaysen Basnight of the NYPD crime scene unit, and Detective Ronald Hobson of the NYPD Bronx warrant squad for their assistance in the investigation.

 

Year-to-date rape incidents in The Bronx as of May 29 were up 12.1 percent (157) compared to the same period last year (140). In the 46th precinct, covering parts of Fordham, Morris Heights, Mt. Hope and University Heights, where this incident occurred, year-to-date rape incidents remained equal to what they were at the same time last year (9) as of May 29.

 

As previously reported, in the nearby 50th precinct, which covers Kingsbridge Heights (where the defendant lived), Spuyten Duyvil, Fieldston, Marble Hill, and Riverdale, year-to-date rape incidents as of May 29 had more than doubled 57.1 percent (11) compared to the same time in 2021 (7).

 

A person who has been charged with a crime is deemed innocent unless and until convicted in a court of law. Dickerson was remanded in custody and is due back in court on Aug. 9.

 

If you or someone you know has been a victim of a sexual assault, help is available: Bronx County District Attorney Crime Victims Assistance Unit 198 East 161st St. Bronx 10451, phone (718) 590-2114 or (718) 590-2115; Bronx Kingsbridge Heights Community Center, Inc. 3101 Kingsbridge Terrace Bronx 10463, phone (718) 884-0700 or (718) 884-0700 or (212) 227-3000.

 

If you are in immediate danger, if you can, call 911.