New York City police on Monday said they arrested and charged a man who defiled a dead man’s corpse on the subway earlier this month.
Authorities said they took Felix Rojas, 44, into custody on charges of first-degree rape after subway surveillance cameras spotted him sexually violating the body of a man who died aboard the R train.
The Manhattan District Attorney’s Office said Mr. Rojas had his arraignment scheduled for Monday afternoon.
Multiple outlets reported that the body of 37-year-old Jorge Gonzalez was victimized in the attack.
The victim boarded the train at the Whitehall Street-South Ferry station at about 8 p.m. on April 8 and died from natural causes shortly afterward, police said.
Authorities said Mr. Rojas, who has no criminal record, hopped on the train in the Financial District at about 11 p.m. and rode the rails for about 45 minutes before noticing the lifeless body.
The suspect first went through the victim’s pockets, police said, and then began penetrating the corpse shortly after midnight.
Photos of Mr. Rojas were blasted across the city following the necrophilic assault. He was arrested Sunday night.
Mr. Gonzalez’ estranged wife said he likely died of cirrhosis due to his alcoholism.
