Queens Sex Crime Spree

Introduction to the Case

A parolee who spent nearly two decades in prison for raping a young girl in Brooklyn was arrested Thursday in Queens on public lewdness and sex abuse charges.

John Garrison, 53, a parolee recently released from a near two decade prison stint for raping a young girl in Brooklyn was arrested Thursday in Queens on public lewdness and sex abuse charges.
Photo by Lloyd Mitchell

Background of the Suspect

In 2007, Garrison was arrested for raping a 13-year-old girl in an alley in East Flatbush. He wound up being convicted and served 18 years behind bars until being sprung from prison on Jan. 16, 2025.

The Crime Spree

Police accused John Garrison, 53, of going on a self-gratifying crime spree this month in two Queens neighborhoods during which he allegedly pleasured himself and sexually assaulted a 10-year-old girl. The sick crime spree occurred months after he was released from prison on parole.
But police sources said Garrison allegedly began a new perverted reign of terror on March 17 in Woodhaven, Queens.
On that date, law enforcement sources said, he allegedly masturbated in front of a 51-year-old woman as she sat in her car near the corner of 91st Street and 86th Avenue.
John Garrison, 53, a parolee recently released from a near two decade prison stint for raping a young girl in Brooklyn was arrested Thursday in Queens on public lewdness and sex abuse charges.
Photo by Lloyd Mitchell
Cops said Garrison allegedly next struck again in Woodhaven on March 19 at around 2:55 p.m. — following a 10-year-old girl as she walked home from her school to her home. He allegedly grabbed the girl’s chest from behind, causing her to scream.
“Shut up or I will kill you,” he allegedly told the girl before fleeing, according to police.

Further Incidents

Less than an hour later, police sources said, Garrison allegedly struck again with another stomach-churning outburst — allegedly masturbating near the front window of Lina’s Hair Spa at 87-08 97th St. at about 3:30 p.m. that day.
Two more perverted incidents tied to Garrison occurred the next day, on March 20, in Richmond Hill.
Police said a 23-year-old woman allegedly spotted Garrison yelling outside her window with his genitalia exposed. He made a run for it after being spotted.
Finally, officers from the 102nd Precinct caught up to Garrison 30 minutes later near the corner of Jamaica Avenue and 104th Street — where they spotted him allegedly with his pants down around his ankles. When cops attempted to take him into custody, police say he flailed his arms and legs and resisted arrest.

Charges and Prior Arrests

Garrison has been charged with four counts of public lewdness, sex abuse, forcible touching, and resisting arrest.
Police sources reported that Garrison has had six prior arrests for similar sex crimes. In 2004, he was cuffed for a Brooklyn attack in which he demanded a 30-year-old woman give him oral sex and told the victim he had a gun.
Thirty years ago, in 1995, he was arrested for exposing himself to and fondling a woman.
Police escorted Garrison out of the 102nd Precinct in handcuffs Thursday night following his arrest for the Queens spree. He refused to answer reporters’ questions about the case.

Conclusion

The case of John Garrison is a disturbing example of how some individuals continue to pose a threat to public safety even after serving time for their crimes. It highlights the need for continued vigilance and monitoring of parolees, especially those with a history of sex crimes.

FAQs

Q: What were the charges against John Garrison?
A: Garrison was charged with four counts of public lewdness, sex abuse, forcible touching, and resisting arrest.
Q: How long did John Garrison serve in prison for his previous crime?
A: He served 18 years in prison for raping a 13-year-old girl in Brooklyn.
Q: What was the nature of the crime spree committed by John Garrison?
A: The crime spree involved allegations of public lewdness, sex abuse, and forcible touching in two Queens neighborhoods.
Q: Did John Garrison have any prior arrests for similar crimes?
A: Yes, police sources reported that Garrison had six prior arrests for similar sex crimes.