A Salvadoran migrant raped a 16-year-old girl after he forced her into an alley — then menacingly stalked her after she escaped and hid from him, officials said Tuesday.
Antonio Melendez Reyes, 59, allegedly first approached the teenager as she walked home in Huntington on June 6 with the sicko repeatedly asking for phone her number, according to police.
Reyes then abruptly grabbed her and forced her into a nearby alley, then forced himself on her, officials said. She was able to get away partially-unclothed and frantically called police — who arrived to find Reyes still in the area searching for his escaped-victim, authorities said.
“The allegations in this case are deeply disturbing,” said Suffolk County District Attorney Ray Tierney said Tuesday as the sicko was indicted for the twisted attack.
“A 16-year-old girl should be able to walk safely without being targeted, pursued, and brutally assaulted,” Tierney added, proclaiming his office will “continue to vigorously prosecute defendants who pose serious threats to our community’s safety, especially our children.”
Reyes was hit with two first-degree rape charges, one first-degree sexual abuse charge, two more counts of rape in the third degree, and one county of endangering the welfare of a child.
The Department of Homeland Security has lodged a detainer request to take custody of Melendez Reyes following this prosecution, according to the DA. It wasn’t clear if the suspect had entered the US legally nor was it clear when he first arrived.
Reyes pleaded not guilty to the charges on June 16, and was held on $500,000 bail by Judge Karen Wilutis.
Reyes is due back in court on July 21, 2026, and faces up to 25 years in prison if convicted on the top count.
ICE didn’t immediately respond to The Post’s request for comment regarding the case.
