A serial predator attempted to assault a 12-year-old girl inside a Brooklyn apartment building, merely days after being released without bail in connection with similar offenses, according to law enforcement officials.
Justin Lee, 22, from Queens, was set free on September 28 due to a technicality after being apprehended for attacking two young girls, aged 13 and 15, during separate and alarming incidents within a few hours of each other, as reported by police and prosecutors.
Shortly after his release, around noon on Saturday, October 4, Lee reportedly ambushed the 12-year-old girl in the elevator of her building located at West 29th Street and Mermaid Avenue in Coney Island, authorities disclosed.
He allegedly seized her by the arm, drew her toward him, touched her inappropriately over her clothing, and pinned her against the wall. He then restrained her by pressing his arm against her throat, making it difficult for her to breathe, according to a criminal complaint.
Lee reportedly threw the terrified girl to the ground and continued his assault as she tried to regain her footing, once again pinning her against the wall while attempting to remove her pants, according to court documents.
He was taken into custody the following day and is facing numerous charges, including burglary, attempted burglary, endangerment of a child, criminal trespass, and harassment, as stated in the complaint.
During his arraignment in Brooklyn Criminal Court on Monday, Lee’s bail was set at $75,000 cash or a $150,000 bond, prosecutors indicated.
This arraignment followed Lee’s earlier release on his own recognizance regarding the September incidents, which included two assaults on a 13-year-old in broad daylight and a 15-year-old later that evening, as mentioned by police and prosecutors.
Wearing a Mario Kart T-shirt and a black ski mask, Lee allegedly confronted the first victim on Ocean Parkway near Cortelyou Road around 1 p.m. on September 27, according to law enforcement.
He reportedly followed her into the lobby of her building, seized her by the neck, and pushed her against a wall, running off when she screamed, based on the criminal complaint.
A few hours later, around 7 p.m., he approached the 15-year-old victim on a ramp leading to her apartment building at the same intersection, police revealed.
When she entered the elevator, Lee allegedly told her it was out of order, prompting her to exit. He then purportedly grabbed her from behind in a bear hug, forcing her to scream, according to court documentation.
Following his apprehension, Lee admitted to the police, “I scared a girl because I grabbed her,” as noted in the complaint.
Lee was released on his own recognizance during his earlier court appearance due to a technicality that prevented prosecutors from requesting bail.
The primary charge from those incidents—second-degree burglary—typically would qualify for bail if it occurred in a private residence. However, since both crimes transpired in a lobby, the situation did not meet the necessary criteria, according to a source familiar with the legal matter.
Lee has no previous arrests on his record, as confirmed by the source.
The NYPD released a mugshot of Lee on Monday, urging any additional potential victims to come forward.
Potential victims are encouraged to contact the NYPD’s Sex Crimes Hotline at 1-212-267-RAPE (7273) or the Crime Stoppers Hotline at 1-800-577-TIPS (8477). Spanish speakers can reach out to 1-888-57-PISTA (74782).
Tips can also be submitted via the Crime Stoppers website at https://crimestoppers.nypdonline.org/ or on X @NYPDTips.
