Ecuadorian migrant accused of raping 13-year-old US teen admits he recorded incident

Prosecutors in the US have charged an Ecuadorian migrant for raping a 13-year-old girl he bound and gagged at Kissena Park in Queens. The accused rapist, 25-year-old Christian Geovanny Inga-Landi, was presented in a New York criminal court Wednesday (Jun 19) where he was arraigned on charges of rape, predatory sexual assault, kidnapping and a raft of other felonies from the shocking June 13 attack.

“I was nervous at first, then got comfortable and recorded it,” Inga-Landi admitted in the court. He had scratches on his face and he kept his head down throughout the hearing. Judge Joanne B. Watters has ordered his detention without bail until July 1, the date of his next appearance in the court.

Queens District Attorney Melinda Katz announced the charges in court and lauded the victimand her male companion for bravery.

"I would like to talk a little bit about the bravery these two 13-year-old children have. It is amazing what they went through, their identification, their memory of the tattoo, the braces - all which was on point," Katz later said in a press conference.

What happened at the Kissena Park?

As per the prosecutor, Inga-Landi approached the duo in a wooded area at the park, forcibly tied them up and gagged their mouths with cloth. After snatching their cell phones, he allegedly started raping the girl. Before fleeing the scene with their cell phones, Inga asked both of them to stay there for 20 minutes.

“This attack on two children in broad daylight in a city park strikes the very core of our society," stated Katz in a news release.

Inga-Landi's arrest

New York City police Tuesday (Jun 18) shared details and developments leading up to Inga-Landi's arrest. Residents identified him through the wanted posters that were placed by the authorities.

A group conducted a citizen's arrest and held him down until the police arrived.

New York Post later reported the accused had been ordered to leave the US by immigration judges two years ago.

The 25-year-old criminal is already facing two counts of robbery, obstructing governmental administration and two counts of endangering the welfare of a child.

(With inputs from agencies)