Honk News (New York City, NY) – A maid from Manhattan collapsed in court on Monday while a prosecutor recounted her harrowing victim-impact statement regarding the “monster” who repeatedly assaulted her.
A woman, who had previously faced blackmail involving explicit images of her special-needs child, collapsed at a lectern in Manhattan Supreme Court while the prosecutor delivered her statement.
A woman from Paraguay, who is in the country illegally, recounted the horrific abuse she endured at the hands of Jose Espinoza. The father of three was sentenced to 22 years in prison on Monday after being convicted of rape, following a prolonged period of terror he inflicted on her.
“Due to this individual, I’m finding it difficult to carry on with my life as usual,” the middle-aged mother expressed in her statement, which was presented by Manhattan Assistant District Attorney Jonathon Junig.
In a shocking turn of events, the victim’s eyes abruptly rolled back, causing her to lose her balance and fall to the ground.
A tumultuous event erupted moments before Espinoza, 62, received his sentence following a December conviction for rape, labor trafficking, and additional offenses in the case.
In August 2017, Espinoza encountered a mother of an autistic child and proposed a financial arrangement for sexual favors in return for her assistance with cleaning apartments in the Flatiron building where he held the position of superintendent.
However, when the woman sought to end the arrangement a year later, Espinoza became furious and began to physically assault her, confiscated her passport, and monitored her movements as his abusive behavior intensified, according to prosecutors.
He coerced her into silence by demanding explicit photographs of her child with special needs — and then threatened to distribute the images if she ever revealed the truth.
Prosecutors have alleged that Espinoza compelled the victim to engage in sexual acts in the presence of her daughter on at least one occasion.
A six-year scheme of sexual terror concluded with his arrest in December 2023.
