Yonkers Rapist Sentenced to 25 Years to Life

A homeless Yonkers man was sentenced to prison Tuesday for rape and sexual assault.

Westchester County District Attorney Janet DiFiore announced that Christopher Earl, 44, will be serving 25 years to life for his May 2013 conviction.

The charges Earl was convicted of were:

• Predatory sexual assault, a class "A-2" violent felony
• First-degree rape, a class "B" violent felony
• Three counts of first-degree sex abuse, class "D" felonies
• Third-degree criminal possession of a weapon, a class "D" felony
• Endangering the welfare of a child, a class "A" misdemeanor

On Sept. 27, 2011, around 8 p.m., Earl went to the home of his victim and asked if he could wait there until his brother—the victim's cousin—came to pick him up.

The victim allowed him to wait in her apartment while she continued to fix dinner for her and her 3-year-old daughter.

While the victim continued cooking, Earl picked up a kitchen knife and threatened her with it.

He forced her into her bedroom at knife point, and, while holding the knife to her throat, began to sexually abuse her. He then forcibly raped her.

Afterward, Earl fled the location.

The victim immediately reported the sexual assault to members of the Yonkers Police Department and identified Earl as the perpetrator. 

After a police manhunt, aided by family members, Earl was located and subsequently arrested by members of the New Rochelle Police Department.

DiFiore said that Earl exploited the kindness of the woman to rape and abuse her.

"Not only did he assault her, but all the while the victim's 3-year-old daughter was in the next room further terrorizing her as to his ultimate motives," she said.