On Tuesday, May 26, Basam Syed was arrested by the New York Police Department. According to the New York Daily News , the 35-year-old allegedly rubbed up against an unknown woman on the northbound 4 train. He has been charged with “persistent sexual abuse” and now faces a maximum of four years behind bars. But does the punishment fit the crime? Apparently, it does because he has a staggering list of prior arrests — 28 priors to be more specific.
Ironically, the latest arrest is exactly one year to the day he was found guilty of grinding against a 32-year-old woman’s buttocks on the 6 train, reports Gothamist . Unfortunately for Syed, that particular incident was caught on camera. The registered sex offender was charged with persistent sex abuse, forcible touching, resisting arrest, criminal trespass, and reckless endangerment for the 2012 incident.
It has been reported that the repeat offender was just released from a short jail stint at Rikers Island in February, but it didn’t take long for him to be arrested yet again. Less than one month after his release, he ended up behind bars again after he allegedly assaulted his girlfriend , reports the Daily Mail . However, that’s not all. He was also charged with sexual abuse after he allegedly French kissed his girlfriend’s 4-year-old son. Even after being caught on camera, there’s still one person who believes he’s innocent — his mother.
Surprisingly Syed’s mother adamantly insists her son would never do such things despite all of the allegations and convictions. Why does she believe her son? Apparently, the explanation is relatively simple. During a recent news interview, she detailed her son’s interest in women and the type of woman he’s looking for.
“He doesn’t need help. Nothing is wrong with him…It’s not easy to find a wife and have kids. She has to be a Pakistani. She has to be a Muslim girl.”
Although numerous criminal offenses are reported on a daily basis, Syed’s arrest has apparently sparked controversy. Many readers are wondering how he’s gotten away with committing so many sex crimes. Apparently, Syed has been one of the lucky offenders to slip through the cracks of the judicial system, but it’s probably safe to say that won’t be happening this time.
[Image via New York Police Department]