Police seek additional victims, info after Queens man's arrest on child rape charges

Police are asking any additional victims to come forward after they arrested a Queens man last week on charges he raped a 14-year-old boy in Jamaica.

NYPD officials said Virgilio Taveras, 63, was arrested at his home in Hollis on July 3 — two days after police and prosecutors say he lured the boy into his car by offering him a job and then assaulted him.

The Queens district attorney’s office alleges Taveras spotted the boy near Jamaica Avenue and 171st Street and drove past him slowly, honking his horn multiple times. When the teen approached the car, Taveras said he could help him get work because his brother owned a construction company, according to a criminal complaint filed by the DA.

The teen got into the car and Taveras drove off with him, telling him he was attractive and asking if he had a boyfriend or girlfriend, the complaint states. Taveras then pulled the car over and performed oral sex on the boy before driving farther, putting a $50 bill in his pocket and letting him out of the car, prosecutors said.

Taveras is facing charges of rape, luring a child, endangering the welfare of a child and sexual abuse. Court records show he was arraigned on July 4 in Queens Criminal Court, where the judge set $20,000 cash bail and $60,000 bond.

A lawyer representing Taveras did not immediately respond to a request for comment Thursday.

The NYPD is asking anyone with information about the case or similar cases to call its Sex Crimes Hotline at 212-267-RAPE (7273), or its Crime Stoppers Hotline at 800-577-TIPS (8477) or 888-57-PISTA (74782) for Spanish. People can also submit tips on the Crime Stoppers website.

This story is based on preliminary information from law enforcement officials and may be updated.