As the month of October draws to a close, it’s time to give credit where credit is due. Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg has done more than talk about safety when it comes to protecting the borough’s residents. He has cracked down on domestic violence offenders, sexual abuse offenders, and violent gun offenders.
In an October 14, 2025 release, the DA’s office made the following announcement, “Manhattan District Attorney Alvin L. Bragg, Jr., today announced the indictment of DR. MAURIZIO MIGLIETTA, 56, a professor of surgery at Touro College of Osteopathic Medicine, who purported to be an Honorary Police Surgeon for the NYPD and work with other law enforcement agencies, for sexually assaulting a woman in his apartment after displaying a firearm. MIGLIETTA is charged in a New York Supreme Court indictment with Rape in the First Degree and Attempted Rape in the First Degree, among other charges.
“As alleged, this prominent doctor used his position to lure a woman to his apartment under the guise of professional networking and mentorship,” said District Attorney Bragg. “Instead, he allegedly displayed a firearm that he said was loaded, and sexually assaulted her as she repeatedly said no. This investigation is ongoing. If you have any information about similar assaults, please call our Special Victims Division at 212-335-9373.”
As alleged in court documents and statements made on the record in court, MIGLIETTA met the 28-year-old survivor through a networking event in the medical field. On June 5, 2025, she went to his Financial District apartment expecting to discuss her business ventures. MIGLIETTA kissed her without her consent, and when she attempted to push him away, he lifted his shirt and displayed a firearm that he said was loaded. As she repeatedly said no, MIGLIETTA placed the firearm on a coffee table next to the woman’s head before orally raping her and attempting to vaginally rape her. After initially refusing to let her leave, she was able to escape claiming she had a meeting she could not miss.”
In another high profile case, Ellow Williams will serve up to 18 years in state prison for following a woman to her SoHo apartment building before strangling her and raping her.
And in a case that took place earlier in the month, the DA’s office made another important arrest that led to a criminal indictment. Manhattan District Attorney Alvin L. Bragg, Jr., today announced the indictment of JOSEPH WICHARD, 35, for attempting to rape a 34-year-old woman inside a Midtown nail salon. WICHARD is charged in a New York State Supreme Court indictment with one count of Attempted Rape in the First Degree and one count of Sexual Abuse in the First Degree.
“This alleged conduct is absolutely abhorrent, and I hope the survivor is able to recovery both physically and emotionally,” said District Attorney Bragg. “I want all survivors of assault and rape to know that we are here to help secure accountability and justice, and I encourage them to call our hotline at 212-335-9373.”
As alleged in court documents and statements made on the record, on September 1, 2025, at approximately 6:00p.m., WICHARD walked into the nail salon where the survivor was working alone.
WICHARD approached her and allegedly grabbed her by the arms, tried to kiss her, and attempted to pull her to a back area in the salon. When the survivor tried to escape, WICHARD caught up to her, threw her to the ground, and dragged her on the floor to the back area.
WICHARD then allegedly took off the survivor’s pants, ripped her underwear, and forcefully groped her. The survivor bit WICHARD on the face in self-defense, and then managed to grab a vacuum cleaner and hit WICHARD with it. In response, WICHARD fled the scene. The survivor then called the owner of the nail salon, who promptly notified nearby police officers. WICHARD was arrested several days later.
While the number of violent criminal activities that involved abhorrent sexual activity is disturbing, the Manhattan District Attorney’s aggressive and swift response is gratifying and demonstrates an attempt to hold criminals accountable for their wrongful actions.
