A Hempstead man was sentenced Monday to 55 years to life in prison for raping three women who worked as sex workers and trying to rape a fourth victim in 2013.
A Nassau County jury had convicted Ramone Smith in November of predatory sexual assault, first-degree rape, criminal sex act, attempted rape, attempted sexual abuse, criminal possession of a weapon and robbery.
“This sexual predator lured his vulnerable victims online and then brutally raped them,” said Nassau County District Attorney Madeline Singas, calling the rapist “twisted.”
Prosecutors said the 26-year-old man responded to three of the victims’ advertisements in an “adult entertainment services” section on Backpage.com, met them at his Washington Street apartment building and lured them to the roof, where he sexually assaulted the women, ages 22, 27 and 19, on June 18, Aug. 7 and Aug. 27, 2013.
Smith also tried to rape a woman at knife-point in the victim’s Westbury motel room after responding to a similar ad, but the woman fled on July 18, 2013, authorities said. Smith stole her lingerie.
Nassau County police Narcotics Vice Squad and Special Victims Squad detectives arrested him on Nov. 15, 2013.
