Manhattan District Attorney Cyrus R. Vance, Jr., today announced the sentencing of FARHAN KHAN, 28, to 14 years-to-life in state prison for raping a prostituted woman in an Upper West Side hotel where he was employed as an assistant manager. On March 23, 2017, following a bench trial in New York State Supreme Court, KHAN was convicted of four counts of Predatory Sexual Assault, as well as one count of Kidnapping in the Second Degree.
“For more than two hours, Farhan Khan sexually assaulted a defenseless woman at knifepoint while she begged for her life,” said District Attorney Vance. “Numerous studies show that prostituted individuals are more susceptible to acts of violence, including rape. Our message to these survivors is that we believe you, and we are here to help you. Regardless of your circumstances, the Manhattan District Attorney’s Office is a safe place to report a sexual assault. I urge you to come to the Manhattan Family Justice Center at 80 Centre Street, or to call our Sex Crimes Hotline at 212-335-9373.”
As proven at trial, at approximately 1:00 a.m. on December 30, 2015, the 35-year-old victim met KHAN at the Rodeway Inn on the Upper West Side after the defendant responded to an online advertisement for prostitution services. KHAN soon became violent, and held a knife to the victim’s neck before tying her up and sexually assaulted her at knifepoint in a 10th floor hotel room. The defendant then moved the victim to another room, where he raped and again sexually assaulted her at knifepoint. During this time, the victim’s sister became concerned that she could not reach her, and went to the hotel to look for her. Unable to locate the victim or receive assistance from the front desk, she called 911. Responding NYPD officers kicked down the door of the hotel room, arrested KHAN, and rescued the victim.
Assistant District Attorneys Coleen Balbert, Deputy Chief of Trial Bureau 80, and Sara Sullivan handled the prosecution of the case under the supervision of Assistant District Attorney Martha Bashford, Chief of the Sex Crimes Unit, and Executive Assistant District Attorney John Irwin, Chief of the Trial Division. Former Trial Preparation Assistants Ian Irlander and Phoebe Rosenfeld, Trial Preparation Assistant Natalie Anderson, and Witness Aid Services Unit Senior Counselor Melissa Martinez-Valdes provided valuable assistance with the case.
District Attorney Vance thanked members of the NYPD’s 20th Precinct, especially Sergeant Andrew Jackson, Officer William Davoli, and Retired Detective Francis Brennan.
