By Shayna Jacobs
DNAinfo Reporter/Producer
MANHATTAN SUPREME COURT — A man accused of raping a laundromat worker in East Harlem was sentenced to five years in prison Wednesday after pleading guilty to the crime in November.
Samuel Rivera, who turns 30 in about two weeks, used an iron as a potential weapon to threaten his victim and then rape her on the morning of Feb. 3, 2009, prosecutors charged.
Rivera reportedly resided in East Harlem, blocks away from the Second Avenue laundromat where prosecutors said he entered with the intention to rob the cashier and then rape her.
Neighbors described Rivera as a loving husband and father and were surprised by the serious criminal allegations against him, the Daily News reported at the time of his arrest.
Rivera faced rape, predatory sexual assault, robbery and burglary charges for the incident
When given the opportunity to speak at his sentencing, Rivera declined.
