Ex-guard at NYC federal building indicted in sex assault of asylum seeker

An armed guard at a federal building in New York City, where the FBI is located, has been charged with sexually assaulting an asylum seeker, according to a recently unsealed indictment.

The accused, Jimmy Solano-Arias, a 42-year-old resident of the Bronx, appeared in Manhattan federal court and faces charges of deprivation of rights under color of law, including kidnapping and aggravated sexual abuse. If convicted, he could face a maximum sentence of life imprisonment.

Solano-Arias was terminated from his job shortly after his arrest on May 5, which occurred one day after the alleged assault. He is currently out on bail.

A criminal complaint, signed by an FBI agent, revealed that during a video-recorded interview with federal agents, Solano-Arias admitted that the asylum seeker engaged in oral sex but claimed it was consensual.

The incident took place when the asylum seeker visited 26 Federal Plaza in lower Manhattan on May 4 to submit an asylum application, as stated by Michael J. Driscoll, the head of New York’s FBI office.

According to U.S. Attorney Damian Williams, Solano-Arias, who was employed by a security company contracted by the Federal Protective Service, was responsible for ensuring the safety of federal employees and visitors to the building. However, instead of fulfilling his duty, he abused his authority, using his uniform and firearm to coerce a vulnerable individual seeking asylum into performing oral sex on him.

The charging documents provide further details of the incident. Solano-Arias approached the victim, who was waiting in a line, and offered assistance with paperwork. Eventually, he led the victim to a locked office on the building’s second floor.

There, Solano-Arias placed his hand on his holstered firearm and demanded that the victim engage in oral sex. The victim, fearing for his life due to the presence of the firearm, reluctantly complied. Following the assault, Solano-Arias instructed the victim to wait in the office until the hallway cleared. During this time, the victim managed to record a brief video of Solano-Arias on his cellphone.

The victim promptly reported the sexual assault to the authorities, positively identified Solano-Arias from a photo array, and provided sufficient information for federal agents to confront the accused when he arrived at the building the following day.

As of now, there has been no response from Solano-Arias’s lawyer regarding the charges.