UPDATE: NY East Village Attempted Rape Suspect Imre Meszesan Sentenced to 5 Years In Prison

November 14, 2011


NEW YORK (CBSNewYork) — There’s a sexual predator alert in the East Village.

On Monday, police released crystal-clear surveillance video of a man they said tried to rape a woman inside her apartment building, CBS 2’s Emily Smith reports.

Police are asking the public to call them if anyone recognizes the man in the video.

It was recorded moments before the alleged attempted rape. It shows the suspect helping himself into a woman’s apartment building on First Avenue in the East Village. Cops said the perpetrator followed his target — a 27-year-old woman — home from the First Avenue subway station at 14th street early Sunday morning.

They said he pushed her down and tried to rape her in her hallway.

Neighbors have different feelings when it comes to their safety in the East Village.

“I’m surprised. I feel it’s a safe neighborhood. I have two kids. It’s pretty scary,” said resident Kathy Butterly.

“People say it’s safer now. I think it was in the ‘60s and ‘70s safer. Less people, more residential,” added resident Rachel Leone.

Police said the man wound up running off when the woman fought back. People living along First Avenue said it’s always busy around here so it’s easy to have a false sense of security.

“So maybe your guard is down a little too much,” Remy Bennett said.

“It’s terrifying. I’ve heard stories, but didn’t know it actually happened and it’s happening right here,” added resident Lauren Hector.

Along with the surveillance video, police describe the suspect as in his 20s, 5-foot-9 and about 170 pounds.

Police said the attack is not linked to any other incidents, but are reminding people to be extra vigilant and try not to walk alone, especially in the early morning hours.

If you have any information about the suspect, you’re asked to contact Crime Stoppers. You can:

Call their hotline at 1-800-577-8477 (TIPS). All calls are kept confidential.
Log on to the Crime Stoppers website.
Text your tip to 274637 (CRIMES), then enter TIP577.


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November 16, 2011

A man suspected of attempting to rape a woman in the East Village was collared after a cop recognized the creep from a prior arrest, police sources said.

Imre Meszesan, 35, followed a 27-year-old woman inside her E. 11th St. apartment building and tried to rape her about 3 a.m. Sunday, sources said.

Meszesan, of Bedford-Stuyvesant, Brooklyn, was caught on surveillance camera entering the building and police released his picture to the media the next day.

A cop recognized Meszesan’s photo from a previous arrest, a source said, but it was not immediately clear what the collar was for.

Meszesan was charged with burglary and attempted rape. He was waiting to be arraigned Tuesday night.


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December 4, 2012

An East Village woman who bravely fought off a would-be rapist was happy to learn that the fiend was sentenced today to five years in prison.

“I’m good,” Jane Callanan told The Post. “Knowing that he’s locked up, it’s good.”

Her attacker, Imre Meszesan, 36, was nabbed in November 2011 days after he stalked her into her apartment building, pounced on her and tried to lift up her skirt before she fought him off — an attack captured on surveillance video.

“The video, it’s so clear, you didn’t need me” to testify, the 28-year-old fashion industry exec Callanan noted.

Meszesan later pleaded guilty to burglary with a sexual motivation and sex abuse.

Yesterday, over the objections of a prosecutor who wanted Meszesan sentenced to 12 years in prison, Manhattan Supreme Court Justice Juan Merchan gave him just five years. With time served, the thug will be released in less than four years. He’ll have to register as a sex offender.

“I’m fine with it,” Callanan said of the sentence. “It’s up to the judge.”

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