Man convicted of sexual assault in Stuyvesant Heights

A Brooklyn man has been sentenced to 17 years to life in prison for sexually assaulting a woman in Stuyvesant Heights. The victim, a 62-year-old woman, was on her way to work when the defendant attacked her.

“This cruel and violent attack on an innocent woman shocks the conscience, and the depravity of the crime justifies today’s lengthy prison sentence,” said District Attorney Eric Gonzalez. “We remain committed to seeking justice for all victims of sexual violence and continuing the progress we have made to make Brooklyn safer for all.”

The defendant, identified as Leroy Hatcher, 44, of Stuyvesant Heights, was sentenced by Brooklyn Superior Court Judge Danny Chun. Hatcher pleaded guilty to attempted first-degree sexual abuse and first-degree sexual abuse on May 30, 2024.

According to the investigation, the assault occurred on February 6, 2021, at approximately 5:45 a.m. The victim was on her way to work near 482 Kosciuszko St. when Hatcher grabbed her by the hair and put his hand over her mouth. He then pushed her into an alley, held a knife to her throat and assaulted her at knifepoint before fleeing the scene.

Surveillance video from multiple locations helped identify Hatcher, along with identification by a detective and his probation officer. A condom found in the alley contained both the defendant’s and the victim’s DNA. Hatcher was arrested on February 24, 2021.

The case was prosecuted by Senior Assistant District Attorney Gwen Barnes and Assistant District Attorney Sherri Litvak of the District Attorney’s Office’s Special Victims Bureau under the supervision of Assistant District Attorney Miss Gregory, the Bureau’s Chief.