Homeless Predator Plea in Rape, Assault Cases

Akhim Blount, a homeless man, pleaded guilty before Judge Susan Cacace to:

• three counts of Predatory Sexual Assault, class “A” Felonies,
• one count of Rape in the First Degree, a class “B” Felony,
• two counts of Criminal Sexual Act in the First Degree, class “B” Felonies,
• two counts of Sexual Abuse in the First Degree, class “D” Felonies,
• two counts of Robbery in the First Degree, class “B” Felonies,
• one count of Robbery in the Second Degree, a class “C” Felony,
• two counts of Robbery in the Third Degree, class “D” Felonies.

Westchester County District Attorney Anthony A. Scarpino Jr., described the three cases:

On Sept. 11, 2015 at 8:30 p.m., Blount, 37, approached a 57-year- old in the vicinity of 106 Belmont Avenue in Yonkers. He grabbed her from behind around the neck and throat, obstructing her breathing. He forced her into a yard on Belmont Avenue and threw her to the ground.

Blount repeatedly threatened the victim by telling her that he had a knife and would cut her head off. He then demanded she take off her pants and underwear. Fearing for her life, she complied. The defendant vaginally raped her. When she began to scream, the defendant covered her mouth and nose with his hand, preventing her from breathing.

Blount got off the victim, dragged her deeper into the yard towards a wooded tree line, forced her to her knees, anally raped her and forced his penis into her mouth. He then demanded she turn over her money and other personal property. The defendant told the victim not to move because if she did he would shoot her. He then left the scene with the victim’s money. The victim waited a few minutes and then called police.

On Sept. 13, 2015 at 8:15 p.m., Blount approached a 37-year-old just getting out of her car in the parking lot at 801 Bronx River Road in Yonkers.

He demanded she get back in the car displaying what appeared to be a handgun. The victim attempted to hand over her wallet and i-Phone. That is when he shoved her into the front seat and grabbed her pants in an effort to remove them. The victim struggled with Blount as he forcibly groped her genitalia. That is when she broke free, jumped out of the car and ran to a Good Samaritan who lent her a phone to call police.

On Sept. 23, 2015 at 7:30 p.m., the victim, a 22-year-old, was sitting in her car at the Cross County Shopping Center in Yonkers when Blount jumped into her front seat. He grabbed the victim by the back of the head and by her arm and violently pulled her towards him in the front seat. He told her not to move threatening that if she did, he would cut her with a knife. Terrified, the victim struggled with the defendant and managed to run from the car to the safety of a Good Samaritan. The defendant grabbed her purse containing her wallet, her i-Phone and sneakers that she had just purchased.

Yonkers Police arrested Blount on Sept. 23, 2015 in reference to the Cross County Shopping incident. An intensive investigation which included DNA evidence resulted in him being linked to the previous incidents.

His remand continues. He will be sentenced on April 25, 2017.

He faces a maximum of 25 years to life in state prison as a second violent felony offender.

Assistant District Attorney Michelle Lopez of the Superior Court Trial Division is prosecuting the case.