D.A. Bragg Announces Indictment Of Man For Sexual Abuse Of Elderly Woman In Upper Manhattan

Manhattan District Attorney Alvin L. Bragg, Jr., today announced the indictment of NASIR SEALS, 22, for allegedly sexually abusing a 70-year-old woman inside an apartment building in Upper Manhattan in March 2026. SEALS is charged in a New York State Supreme Court indictment with one count each of Burglary in the Second Degree as a Sexually Motivated Felony, Burglary in the Second Degree, Sexual Abuse in the First Degree and Assault in the Second Degree. [1]

"Nasir Seals allegedly exploited a moment of vulnerability to carry out a horrific act of sexual violence against an older New Yorker who was a complete stranger to him," said District Attorney Bragg. "This kind of conduct is profoundly traumatic, and my office remains committed to holding offenders accountable while centering and supporting survivors. I encourage all victims of sexual abuse to contact my office's trauma-informed Intimate Partner and Sexual Violence Bureau at 212-335-9373."

As alleged in court documents and statements made on the record in court, on the morning of March 18, 2026, the woman was mopping the hallway floor in an apartment building in the New York City Housing Authority's Rangel Houses. At approximately 7:38 a.m., SEALS allegedly entered the apartment building, passed the woman and entered a nearby stairwell. As the woman continued mopping, SEALS watched her from inside the stairwell.

At approximately 7:40 a.m., as the woman turned her back, SEALS exited the stairwell, rushed behind her and pressed his body against her back, wrapping his arms around her. SEALS allegedly sexually abused the woman as she tried to push SEALS off of her. During the attack, SEALS shoved the woman up against an apartment door and attempted to remove her shirt. Eventually, the woman was able to break away from SEALS and escape into an apartment, locking it. SEALS tried to open the door and banged on it multiple times.

When he was unsuccessful, SEALS fled into the stairwell and out of the building. Once outside and on his way home, SEALS stopped to change his clothing. SEALS was arrested inside his home on March 20, 2026.

Assistant D.A. Molly Patrick is handling the prosecution of this case, under the supervision of Assistant D.A.s Kaitlyn Flatley (Deputy Chief of the Intimate Partner and Sexual Violence Bureau), Vanessa Puzio (Chief of the IPSV Bureau) and Executive D.A. Justin McNabney (Chief of the Special Victims Division). Analyst Stella Smith-Weiner (IPSV Bureau) and the dedicated counselors of the Office's Survivor Services Bureau (SSB) are providing invaluable assistance in this case.

D.A. Bragg thanked the New York City Police Department, particularly Detective Eduardo Perezromero and Sergeant Anca Dogarescu.

Defendant Information:

NASIR SEALS

New York, NY

Charged:

• Burglary in the Second Degree as a Sexually Motivated Felony, a class C felony, one count
• Burglary in the Second Degree, a class C felony, one count
• Sexual Abuse in the First Degree, a class D felony, one count
• Assault in the Second Degree, a class D felony, one count

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[1] The charges contained in the indictment are merely allegations and the defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty. All factual recitations are derived from documents filed in court and statements made on the record in court.