Man Indicted For Hell's Kitchen Kidnapping, Rape, Sex Trafficking: DA

HELL'S KITCHEN, NY — A Manhattan man was indicted yesterday in a brutal kidnapping of a woman from a Midtown shelter, according to officials.

The accused, Alex Jean, 36, then raped his victim and sexually trafficked her, said the Manhattan District Attorney's office.

“The alleged actions in this case are horrific and illustrate a deliberate attempt to prey on a young woman who was already vulnerable to exploitation,” said District Attorney Alvin Bragg. “Our youth who are at risk of trafficking deserve support and care, and we will continue to vigorously investigate and disrupt these types of abhorrent trafficking schemes."

According to court documents, on April 19, 2021, Jean and another person kidnapped the young woman outside of Covenant House, a Hell's Kitchen shelter on West 41st Street that specifically helps women experiencing homelessness and trafficking.

Jean first brought the victim to an East 132nd Street apartment, where he raped her repeatedly for two days. He then brought her to a Brooklyn hotel, where he trafficked her to other men who also raped her, according to the District Attorney's office. Jean also sought to set up an online account for her on a popular escorts website.

When Jean caught wind that law enforcement was seeking him, he fled to Florida, where the District Attorney' office said he was ultimately extradited from.

Jean's charges include two counts of first-degree kidnapping, three counts of rape, five counts of sex trafficking, and other crimes.

D.A. Bragg added that anyone who is aware of or has experienced sex trafficking should call his office at 212-335-3400.