Gothamist
A non-profit newsroom, powered by WNYC.
Gothamist
Listen Live
News
"OWS" Rape Suspect Turns Himself In, Also Accused Of Raping 14-Yr-Old
By
Ben Yakas
Published Sep 15, 2012
Modified Sep 15, 2012
Share
FacebookTwitterRedditEmail
Never miss a story
Email address
By submitting your information, you're agreeing to receive communications from New York Public Radio in accordance with our Terms .
By
Ben Yakas
Published Sep 15, 2012
Modified Sep 15, 2012
Share
FacebookTwitterRedditEmail
We rely on your support to make local news available to all
Make your contribution now and help Gothamist thrive in 2026. Donate today
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
The man who is accused of raping a 56-year-old woman on the top level of Pier 15 on the East River Esplanade—and then throwing her over the second-story railing—has turned himself in. Jackie Barcliff, 44, has been charged with attempted murder, rape and criminal sex act against the woman who was here for the Occupy Wall Street anniversary. Police have also charged Barcliff with raping a 14-year-old on August 12th in midtown; he allegedly offered the teen a place to stay overnight and then raped her during the night.
The attack at the East River took place around 2 a.m. on Monday, September 10th; the victim, who sustained a broken pelvis and other serious injuries in the attack, later told police that she recognized Barcliff from previous OWS demonstrations. Cops referred to Barcliff as a fellow OWS protester who "has frequented other OWS gathering sites in lower Manhattan in the past."
Barcliff, also known as "Bliss," was arrested for assault and resisting arrest last December in front of Liberty Plaza. He was sentenced to 200 days in jail, and was freed on June 25th on early release for good behavior.
Tagged
east river
manhattan
occupy wall street
ows
rape
south street seaport
Ben Yakas
Ben Yakas is a former Gothamist reporter.
Read more
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
MORE news
Queens man charged with hate crime at Jewish-owned bagel shop displaying Israeli flags
Prosecutors say the 22-year-old damaged property outside the Fresh Meadows shop twice in May.
By
Giulia Heyward
Published Oct 19, 2026 at 6:07 p.m. ET
MTA train yards are in such bad shape plants are growing out of the roof, watchdog says
In some cases, the damage was “clearly not recent."
By
Stephen Nessen
News
MTA train yards are in such bad shape plants are growing out of the roof, watchdog says
In some cases, the damage was “clearly not recent."
By
Stephen Nessen
High-ranking NYC officials to testify in ex-buildings boss Eric Ulrich's corruption trial
By
David Brand
Mamdani launches new team to help NYers keep SNAP, Medicaid benefits
By
Caroline Lewis
Riders at 53rd St. station where man was fatally shot say they worry about gun violence
By
Ramsey Khalifeh
Never miss a story
Catch up on the most important headlines with a roundup of essential NYC stories, delivered to your inbox daily.
Sign upEmail address
By submitting your information, you're agreeing to receive communications from New York Public Radio in accordance with our Terms .