A man accused of a random, violent attack on a young female student at New York University has made his first court appearance following nationwide calls for his arrest. James Rizzo, 45, pleaded not guilty on Wednesday evening to charges including persistent sexual abuse, forcible touching, and assault.
A Terrifying Morning Attack
The incident occurred last Monday morning as 20-year-old Amelia Lewis was walking to her 9.30am class in Manhattan, listening to music with headphones on. Surveillance footage, which Lewis later shared on social media, captured the horrifying moment a man approached her from behind and forcibly struck her.
In a tearful video posted on TikTok, Lewis described the assault. She said after being slapped, her attacker pulled her hair, causing her to fall to the ground. "That was honestly the scariest experience of my life," she recounted. The video also showed numerous bystanders looking on in shock and disbelief.
"I am a student at NYU, I should not be scared to be walking the street to go to my class," Lewis stated. "These people are disgusting and they should not be able to be walking around the street freely, targeting girls." She urged her fellow students to stay vigilant.
A Suspect with a Long Criminal History
Appearing in New York Criminal Court wearing a black sweatshirt with his long hair in a ponytail, Rizzo was ordered to be held without bail. Authorities revealed that Rizzo has 16 prior arrests, with a record including charges for forcible touching, assault, and burglary.
The New York Police Department is now investigating other similar attacks near the NYU campus, with Rizzo being branded a 'serial spanker' by investigators. The case attracted significant national attention after conservative podcaster Megyn Kelly, a family friend of Lewis, highlighted it on her show.
Kelly described the suspect to her viewers: "He is a tall white male with long brunette hair and a long brunette beard... He has done this to so many girls, and this is disgusting."
Thanksgiving Day Assault Also Under Investigation
The NYPD is also linking Rizzo to a separate assault on Thanksgiving Day. In that incident, a 68-year-old woman, Diana Basel, reported being assaulted in Midtown by a man who struck her with his elbow, causing her to fall and cut her head.
Basel told local media she was watching the Thanksgiving Day Parade when she was confronted. "Once I saw his face, I realized things were not normal," she said. "The next thing I knew, I was slammed into a glass panel." Rizzo was subsequently identified as the suspect and charged in relation to that attack as well.
James Rizzo remains in custody and is due back in court on December 8. The Daily Mail has contacted his public defender for comment.
