THE BRONX — Four people have been indicted for forcing a 14-year-old girl to have sex with a 45-year-old man, according to the Bronx District Attorney's Office.
Bronxites Kashalema Kidd, 20, Savon Falu, 21, and Justin Palmer, 16, made an agreement with 45-year-old Avis Ruiz of Brooklyn on the morning of Oct. 27 for him to have sex with the 14-year-old victim at a motel in exchange for $50, the Bronx DA's Office said.
However, officers from the 47th Precinct then approached Kidd, Falu and Palmer and followed them as they ran toward the motel, where police found the victim and Ruiz before they had sex, officials said.
Falu, Ruiz and Kidd were arrested on Oct. 27, and Palmer was arrested on Nov. 15, the Bronx DA's Office said.
Kidd and Ruiz were arraigned on Thursday and ordered held on $10,000 and $50,000 bail, respectively. They are due back in court on Nov. 28.
Palmer and Falu were arraigned earlier before Bronx Supreme Court Justice Steven Barrett, who set bail for them at $100,000 each, according to the Bronx DA's Office.
All four suspects were hit with charges of attempted rape, promoting prostitution and endangering the welfare of a child, and Ruiz was also charged with forcible touching and sexual abuse.
If the suspects are convicted of the top charge against them, Falu will face up to 25 years in prison, Kidd and Palmer will face up to 15 years, and Ruiz will face up to four years.
"The defendants allegedly attempted to force this girl to engage in sex for $50. Thanks to observant police officers, the repulsive act was stopped," Bronx District Attorney Darcel Clark said in a statement. "While she works to recover from the trauma, we will work to find her justice.”
