Press Release

Queens District Attorney Melinda Katz today announced that defendant Teddy Moussignac was arraigned on grand jury indictment charges of kidnapping and other crimes for allegedly grabbing an 11-year-old child, dragging her into the woods and sexually assaulting her on May 19 in Forest Park.

District Attorney Katz said: “This is every parent’s nightmare. A father was accompanying his daughter on a bike ride in the park when she was grabbed and assaulted. As alleged, the father startled the defendant as he was attacking the child, and he later pointed the defendant out to police. The NYPD’s quick action led to the defendant’s apprehension, and we thank them.”

Moussignac, 44, of 102^nd Street in Ozone Park, was arraigned today before Queens Supreme Court Justice Gia Morris on a seven-count indictment charging him with kidnapping in the second degree, assault in the second degree, two-counts of sexual abuse in the first degree, assault in the third degree, forcible touching and endangering the welfare of a child. Justice Morris ordered the defendant to return to court on July 11.  If convicted, he faces up to 25 years in prison.

DA Katz said that, according to the charges, on May 19, an 11-year-old girl was riding her bicycle inside Forest Park at approximately 7 p.m. with her father nearby. When the child turned off the main path, the defendant allegedly grabbed her, removed her from her bicycle, covered her mouth and nose, and then threatened to kill her if she screamed.

Moussignac allegedly dragged the young girl deeper into the woods, groped her, pushed on her face and punched her in the thigh. The victim sustained bruising and swelling to her face and scratches to her arms.

The victim’s father saw his daughter’s bike on the path. The father yelled out which startled Moussignac, who then released the young girl. The father and daughter ran to the Victory Field section of the park and called the police.

When the police arrived, the victim and father pointed out the defendant who was seated nearby on bleachers and attempting to shield himself from the police with an umbrella.

The investigation was conducted by members of the 102^nd Police Precinct under the overall supervision of Captain Pratima B. Maldonado.

Assistant District Attorney Brianne Richards of the District Attorney’s Special Victims Bureau is prosecuting the case under the supervision of Assistant District Attorneys Eric Rosenbaum, Bureau Chief, Debra Lynn Pomodore, Senior Deputy Chief, and Brian C. Hughes and Lauren Parson, Deputy Chiefs, and under the overall supervision of Executive Assistant District Attorney for Special Victims Joyce A. Smith.