Ryan Hemphill, a 43-year-old private equity executive, was arraigned in New York City court on Thursday, facing serious allegations of rape and assault involving six women over a five-month period. The incidents are said to have started October 3 and occurred in Hemphill’s midtown Manhattan apartment.
Hemphill, arrested March 1, has been in jail since the arrest. On September 18, the New York State Supreme Court unsealed a 116-count indictment. It describes horrific acts such as predatory sexual assault, rape, and assault. According to prosecutors, Hemphill digitally recorded the sexual abuse on video cameras set up around his apartment.
District Attorney Alvin Bragg said that Hemphill acted inappropriately. He continued, writing, “In this case, the power imbalance in his predatory acts was crystal clear. He warned that it’s likely there are additional survivors. He pointed out that “dozens, if not hundreds, of women show up on that tape.
The government went on to explain how Hemphill used his status and connections as an attorney to prey on and mislead these victims, several of whom were elderly. He allegedly boasted to the women that he was “untouchable,” creating a false sense of security, which he used to exercise further control. In at least one case, Hemphill is alleged to have given a woman $2,000 to drop a criminal complaint against him to police.
In 2015, Hemphill was indicted for felony choking while threatening to kill his ex-girlfriend with a knife. Though the charges were incredibly serious, he was found not guilty.
At the arraignment, Judge Ann E. Scherzer denied Hemphill bail, ordering him to remain in jail without bail. She stressed that this judgment was extremely important for guaranteeing his appearance back in court.
As District Attorney Bragg said when announcing the case, what occurred was “hours of physical and sexual violence.” He underscored the historic and serious nature of the allegations against Hemphill.
“The defendant told these survivors that he was untouchable.” – District Attorney Bragg
As the propriety of the case plays out, both onlookers and authorities remain vigilant in their search for justice for the purported victims. In addition to pitching this investigation, they’re looking for anyone else who has had similar experiences with Hemphill.