An East New York man will serve prison time for attempting to sexually assault a woman while she slept in her Williamsburg bedroom five years ago, the Brooklyn District Attorney’s office announced Tuesday.
Brooklyn Supreme Court Justice Heidi Cesare sentenced 29-year-old Akijah Hall to eight years in prison and 15 years of post-release supervision in connection to the 2019 attack, during which the victim’s screams alerted her roommate, who struggled with the defendant and ultimately caused him to flee.
Hall was swiftly identified after dropping his wallet and identification at the scene.
“This defendant broke into a young woman’s home in the middle of the night and attempted to sexually assault her as she slept — an alarming violation of her safety and privacy. Thanks to the victim’s courage and her roommate’s quick response, he was apprehended before he could cause further harm,” Brooklyn District Attorney Eric Gonzalez said in a statement. “Today’s sentence ensures that the defendant is held accountable for this terrifying crime. We remain committed to seeking justice for survivors of sexual violence and making Brooklyn safer for all.”
At approximately 4:30 a.m. on Oct. 11, 2019, Hall broke into an apartment on Grand Street by breaking the door off the hinges, according to the investigation. He then entered the bedroom of the 25-year-old victim, who woke up to find him next to her in bed, with his hand on her mouth and his other hand on her breast.
The woman screamed, according to evidence, and woke up her roommate, who was sleeping in another room. After a brief struggle with the roommate, Hall fled, dropping his jacket and wallet, which contained two forms of identification — a New York State ID and a college student ID. He also dropped a coffee mug, which contained his DNA.
Hall then went to the 75th Precinct to make a police report claiming he lost his jacket, wallet and identification. He was arrested a few hours later outside of his home on Ashford Street.
Hall pleaded guilty this summer to charges of second-degree burglary as a sexually motivated felony, first-degree attempted criminal sexual act, and first-degree sexual abuse in relation to the attack. His plea agreement included the Court’s promise of an eight-year sentence.
