Prosecutors
say dozens of women may have been sexually abused by a Bay Shore man and not
even realize it.
Raul Guaman, 43, was arraigned in Riverhead Tuesday morning on an 11-count
indictment. Guaman is accused of posing as a ride-share driver, then
sexually abusing and recording the acts on women who were passed out.
Prosecutors
say he is a sexual predator who was in possession of 16
driver licenses and 32 cellphones that he kept as trophies. Police say they are
investigating if the victims were drugged and have no recollection of their
encounter.
“In my
almost 37-year career, this is one of the most shocking cases I've ever seen,”
said acting Suffolk Police Commissioner Stuart
Cameron.
Guaman
is also accused of video recording a Brightwaters woman through her window on
Nov. 14 and then breaking into the home to sexually assault her sister.
Cameron says he fled when the woman woke up.
In
court on Tuesday, police said Guaman was under police surveillance after that
burglary. Four days later, Guaman was observed not stopping for a stop sign on
East Third Avenue and Spur Drive North in Bay Shore, court documents
say. He was then placed under arrest.
The
father of one of the victims sat in court for the arraignment. At the end, he
angrily yelled at Guaman: "Raul, look at me!” He then cursed at
him.
Guaman
is in the U.S. illegally from Ecuador and was held without being allowed to
post bail. His defense attorney entered a not guilty plea for him but declined
to comment on the case.