Case against man arrested for sexual assaults on Park Avenue goes to grand jury

UPDATE: The man accused of raping a woman in Rochester’s Park Avenue neighborhood, and attempting to rape three others, was due back in court this afternoon, but the case was waived to a grand jury.

So far, four women have come forward saying Hayden Cypressi raped, or tried to rape, them. Almost all of the attacks happened in the Park Avenue neighborhood between May and October of this year.           

Cypressi plead not guilty at his arraignment to felony charges. He’s still in the Monroe County Jail on a $1 million bail.

ROCHESTER, N.Y. $1 million bail! That’s how much a man who police believe is responsible for the string of sexual assaults and the rape of a woman in Rochester’s Park Avenue neighborhood is being held on at the Monroe County Jail.

26-year-old Hayden Cypressi faced a City Court Judge Thursday morning and was arraigned on the charges. News10NBC was there for the hearing.

So far 4 women have come forward alleging that Hayden Cypressi attacked them. None of them attended the arraignment.

Judge: “Counsel will you be waiving a full reading of the accusatory instrument and entering a plea of not guilty?”

Cypressi’s Attorney: “That is correct Your Honor. We so waive any full reading and ask for a not guilty plea to be entered.”

That was the exchange as a not-guilty plea was entered on behalf of Cypressi, by his attorney. Cypressi was arrested Wednesday by Rochester Police, and charged with 1 count of Rape, 3 counts of Sexual Assault, and 4 counts of Sexual Abuse, all first-degree felonies.

Assistant District Attorney Constance Patterson tells us these attacks occurred over several months.

“Obviously you know as I stated in there, this has been a thorough investigation by the Rochester Police Department over a few month span, and something that we take very seriously, and someone we don’t want on our streets,” said Patterson.

The latest attack happened on October 29th near Park Avenue and Culver Road. Police say Cypressi attempted to rape a woman. The victim told investigators that she was walking alone toward her home when she was grabbed from behind and assaulted. Cypressi is also suspected of attempted sexual assaults in both July, and in May.

Police also charged him with raping a woman on August 27th near South Goodman Street, and Park Avenue. His arrest brings some relief to women like Courtney Smith, who owns a business on Park Ave.

“For sure I do feel a bit more safe, but always aware of my surroundings when I’m leaving the shop at night, but definitely more safe now knowing that he is behind bars,” said Smith.

Cypressi’s attorney says he has no prior criminal history. An Order of Protection was filed for his 4 alleged victims. He’s due back in court on November 22nd at 2 pm.