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Queens Serial Groper Fails to Show for Sentencing, Faces New Charges

Police released a photo of Stephen Pena in 2019 following a groping spree (NYPD)

March 10, 2022 By Christian Murray

Will he show?

A Queens man who pleaded guilty to 10 counts of forceable touching in 2019 and failed to show up for sentencing last month has another court date tomorrow. This time the charge is for gun possession.

Stephen Pena, 23, was arrested Aug. 2, 2019 and charged with 10 counts of forcible touching and sexual abuse in the third degree for a groping spree that took place in Corona and Elmhurst in July 2019.

He pleaded guilty to charges that involved touching 10 women, who ranged in age from 17 to 57, according to court records. Some of the incidents occurred in the vicinity of 57th Avenue and 97th Street, with two taking place at the Queens Center Mall.

Pena’s spree involved touching women’s breasts to slapping their buttocks.

He was scheduled for sentencing on Feb. 24 but failed to show up to court, according to the Queens District Attorney’s office. A bench warrant was then issued.

Tomorrow, March 11, Pena has a court date on charges of criminal possession in the second degree and criminal possession of a firearm in the second degree with the intent to use it against another.

Police discovered the firearm in Pena’s Glen Oaks house on Dec. 1, 2021 after an individual made a complaint at the 105 NYPD precinct, according to court records. He and three others were in a house and were arrested.

Pena was unable to be reached for comment.

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