What you should know
- A former security guard at a federal building in New York City where the FBI is based has pleaded guilty to a charge related to the sexual assault of an asylum seeker.
- Jimmy Solano-Arias, 42, of the Bronx, pleaded guilty in federal court in Manhattan to making a false statement to the FBI about sexual assault.
- He pleaded guilty and agreed that federal sentencing guidelines call for a five-year prison sentence. Sentencing was set for July 9.
NEW YORK — A former security guard at a federal building in New York City where the FBI is based pleaded guilty Wednesday to a federal charge related to the sexual assault of an asylum seeker.
Jimmy Solano-Arias, 42, of the Bronx, pleaded guilty in Manhattan federal court to making a false statement to the FBI about sexual assault, authorities said.
As part of his plea agreement, he agreed that federal sentencing guidelines recommend a maximum sentence of five years in prison and that his scheduled July 9 sentencing should proceed based on sentencing calculations made as if he had also been convicted of one count of sexual abuse of a vulnerable victim.
Without the plea deal, Solano-Arias could have faced life in prison if convicted of one count of deprivation of rights under color of law involving kidnapping and aggravated sexual abuse.
Solano-Arias remains free on bond following the May 4, 2023, attack at 26 Federal Plaza, a building across the street from the federal courts complex.
In an appearance before a judge, Solano-Arias admitted to lying to FBI agents a day after the attack.
He said he “initially said that no such act took place.” Then she added, “I’m sorry.”
Solano-Arias said he was a lawyer in the Dominican Republic before coming to the United States and obtaining citizenship.
He was hired by a company that provides security services at the lower Manhattan building near City Hall, the city’s police headquarters and numerous courthouses.
In a statement, U.S. Attorney Damian Williams said Solano-Arias had “abused the trust and privileges” of his job.
“Instead of working to keep the numerous federal employees and visitors at 26 Federal Plaza safe, Solano-Arias took advantage of his position of authority to sexually abuse an individual seeking asylum protection in the United States,” he said.
According to court documents, Solano-Arias saw the victim in line and offered to help him with paperwork.
He eventually took the man to a locked office on the second floor of the building, where he put his hand on his holstered firearm and demanded that he perform oral sex on him, according to a criminal complaint.
Although he initially resisted, the man obeyed because he saw Solano-Arias’ hand on his firearm and feared for his life, according to the complaint.
After the attack, the man managed to record a short video on his cell phone of Solano Arias, and then reported the attack to the authorities, according to the complaint.
When Solano Arias arrived at work the next day, federal agents confronted him. After initially denying any encounter with the victim, he later claimed what happened was consensual, authorities said.
2024-04-10 19:34:26
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