A teenager accused of drugging and raping a student who later died allegedly spent crucial minutes texting semi-nude photos of her to pals, instead of calling for help. Moises Freire, 19, is charged in a federal indictment unsealed this month over the death of Fashion Institute of Technology (FIT) student Annabel Richter.
Fatal overdose in Manhattan dorm
Prosecutors allege Richter was fatally poisoned with fentanyl disguised as cocaine inside her Manhattan dorm in New York, USA. The horror unfolded on March 18 in Nagler Hall, a female dorm on the FIT campus, after Freire allegedly brought narcotics to Richter’s room where she and her roommate were.
Freire reportedly told the two young women the substance was “pure cocaine”, despite allegedly knowing from prior text messages that the supply was powerful fentanyl. Fentanyl is an exceptionally potent, lab-made synthetic opioid that is roughly 50 times stronger than heroin and 100 times stronger than morphine.
Alleged rape and delayed help
Both women allegedly lost consciousness almost immediately after taking the drug, ABC7 New York reported. Prosecutors allege that while Richter was fully incapacitated, Freire raped her. They also allege that rather than dialling emergency services as the overdose unfolded, he took explicit photos of the unconscious women and texted them to pals. Freire is accused of waiting around 45 minutes before seeking any kind of help.
When he approached FIT campus security, prosecutors say he lied, claiming the students had simply passed out after drinking too much alcohol, as per ABC7 New York. Campus security administered emergency aid including Narcan. The roommate survived after intensive treatment, but Richter fell into a coma and died three days later on March 21 from acute fentanyl intoxication, prosecutors say.
Family and court statements
Richter’s mother Flavia Rocha told the New York Post: “Annabel was full of life. She knew loads about music and art and had a contagious laughter. Her presence filled the room. For us, her family and her friends, she was and always will be, our beloved Bel.” The grieving mum added: “I don’t want to think of a world in which crimes against women would be too many to count… I hope that Annabel’s story brings awareness, and meets justice.”
At an April court hearing, prosecutor Ariana Bloom said: “It is truly hard to believe that the defendant, who seemed entirely coherent and sober at the time… didn’t know what was going on when he was having sex with the victim who was completely unconscious.”
Charges and custody
Freire and alleged supplier Brian Peralta Cabrera, 18, face major federal charges including conspiracy to distribute a controlled substance resulting in death, Washington Times reported. Freire is also charged with distributing a controlled substance with the intent to commit rape. Both remain in federal custody and, if convicted, face a mandatory minimum of 20 years and up to life in prison, with no parole. A third alleged link in the supply chain, Harry Rosales Pino, pleaded guilty to a related narcotics charge in September and is awaiting sentencing, the New York Times reported.
Freire’s attorney previously claimed the accused had a consensual “sexual relationship” with Richter in the year before her death.
