By Tiffany Williams –
A Brooklyn man who followed a woman leaving a Kensington bar, carried her into an alley and sexually assaulted her before an off-duty police officer intervened has been sentenced to 12 years in prison.
Janeal Figueroa, 26, of Canarsie, was sentenced by Brooklyn Supreme Court Justice Jay Weiner to 12 years in prison followed by 12 years of post-release supervision. Figueroa was convicted May 20, 2026, of first-degree criminal sexual act and third-degree sexual abuse following a jury trial.
The attack happened on April 7, 2023, after the 35-year-old woman had gone out for drinks with friends before continuing to drink alone at a bar on Beverley Road in Kensington. Figueroa observed the woman and followed her after she left the bar alone at approximately 10:30 p.m.
As the woman walked home, Figueroa put his arm around her and carried her into an alley near East 2nd Street and Church Avenue. Video surveillance captured the woman screaming “no, no, no” as she was taken into the alley.
Once inside, Figueroa violently physically assaulted the woman, held her on the ground and subjected her to oral sexual conduct as she screamed. When she attempted to crawl away, Figueroa grabbed her by the ankles and pulled her back while she screamed for help.
Those screams drew attention. An eyewitness flagged down an off-duty police officer visiting from Montgomery County, Maryland, who moved in and ordered Figueroa out of the alley.
Figueroa attempted to flee. As he did, he bragged to the off-duty officer and another witness about what he had just done to the woman.
New York City police officers responded and arrested Figueroa nearby a short time later. The off-duty Montgomery County officer identified him as the attacker.
The case eventually went before a Brooklyn jury, resulting in Figueroa’s conviction on both charges in May. His sentence now sends him to prison for 12 years, with another 12 years of post-release supervision to follow.