Overview
- Michael Benjamin, 57, was extradited from Georgia and arraigned on a 17-count indictment that includes five first-degree rape charges tied to southeast Queens home invasions from 1995 to 1997.
- He pleaded not guilty and was ordered held without bail; he faces up to 25 years on the top counts and is due back in court on Dec. 5.
- Investigators say a retested fingerprint pointed to Benjamin, then DNA recovered from a cup he used at the Rockdale County Sheriff’s Office matched evidence preserved from the attacks.
- Prosecutors had pre-indicted an unidentified 'John Doe' years earlier to stop the statute-of-limitations clock, allowing charges once a suspect was named.
- Authorities describe a pattern of early-morning entries through windows with victims’ heads covered, threats or use of a gun, and theft, and they are seeking additional potential victims.