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Jackson Heights man uses job at homeless shelter to sexually abuse 10-year-old boy, DA says

July 13, 2017 By Jason Cohen

A Jackson Heights man who worked at a homeless shelter has been charged for sexually abusing a 10-year-old boy who lived at the facility, according to the Queens District Attorney’s office.

Amin Laboriel, a 37-year-old caseworker at the Bridge Haven Family Transitional Residence in the Bronx, befriended the boy’s family and convinced them to allow their son to stay the night with him at his Jackson Heights apartment.

The family agreed and on June 2 the boy was allegedly sexually abused at Laboriel’s Jackson Heights apartment.

“The defendant is accused of using his position as a caseworker at a homeless shelter to garner the trust and confidence of a family with a young boy in order to have the mother agree to allow the victim to spend the night at the defendant’s apartment where he was sexually abused,” said District Attorney Richard Brown.

Laboriel was apprehended at Miami International Airport on June 26 attempting to leave the country. He had a one-way ticket to Honduras and few personal possessions on him at the time. He was later arraigned at Queens Criminal Court on July 7, on a criminal complaint charging him with three counts of first-degree criminal sexual act and one count of endangering the welfare of a child.

Laboriel, who faces up to 25 years in prison if convicted, was ordered held on $100,000 bail and to return to court on July 21.

“Despite the defendant’s alleged efforts to escape justice he was apprehended and will now stand accountable for his alleged crimes. This case should serve as a clear and unmistakable warning that law enforcement is prepared to apprehend and prosecute sexual predators who betray and defile youngsters,” Brown said.

email the author: news@queenspost.com

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