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Police Arrest Suspect Who Tried to Rape 14-Year-Old Girl in Queens

By Ewa Kern-Jedrychowska | December 22, 2014 2:16pm
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NYPD

QUEENS — Police nabbed a 35-year-old St. Albans man who they say violently tried to rape a 14-year-old girl this past summer.

Tafari Pottinger was arrested Friday evening and charged with attempted rape after he attacked a teen, who sources said was visiting from Virginia, near 109th Road and Farmers Boulevard in St. Albans at about 11 p.m. on July 12, police said.

Pottinger, who lives just two blocks away from where the incident took place, was drinking a beer when he approached the teen and introduced himself as "Shawn," according to the Queens District Attorney's criminal complaint.

Shortly after striking up a conversation with the teen, Pottinger punched her in the head and she lost consciousness, according to court documents.

When she woke up, she was lying on the ground and Pottinger was trying to rape her, she told police.

Pottinger then stood up suddenly and fled.

It was unclear why he ran away, police said, but according to the criminal complaint there was an eyewitness nearby.

Police found a beer can at the scene and obtained photos and video of Pottinger buying the beer in a nearby deli on Farmers Boulevard, near 111th Avenue, shortly before attacking the teen, police said. The images of the man, wearing a red Adidas outfit, were released last week.

Pottinger was charged with attempted rape, sexual abuse, endangering the welfare of a child and assault. He was arraigned on Dec. 20, authorities said, and is due back in court on Jan. 5.

Police said he has 19 prior arrests, dating back to 1995, including for robbery, grand larceny, burglary and criminal sale of marijuana.

Information about Pottinger's lawyer was not immediately available.