This archive report was first published on 23 August 2019.
On August 21, 2019, a US court handed down a life sentence to Anthony Mamboleo Nyakeo, a 53-year-old Kenyan man, for the aggravated sexual assault of a 74-year-old patient at a medical facility in Texas.
Nyakeo was working at the Woodridge Health and Rehabilitation Center in Grapevine, Texas when he committed the crime in January 2018. The victim, who was living at the facility, died late last year at the age of 75.
According to evidence filed in court, the sexual assault was discovered after other nurses found blood in the victim's underwear. An examination found evidence of vaginal tearing consistent with sexual abuse, and DNA collected from the victim was used to tie Nyakeo to the assault.
Prosecutors alleged that Nyakeo, who had immigrated to the US, raped the elderly woman despite knowing she could not resist or consent due to her medical condition. The court was told that Nyakeo had knowledge of the victim's condition and took advantage of her vulnerability.
“An exam found evidence of vaginal tearing consistent with sexual abuse and staff collected DNA that was eventually used to tie Mr Nyakeo to the assault,” Fox News reported.
However, Nyakeo denied the allegations, claiming that someone had taken his DNA from a used condom and planted it on the victim's body. His colleague testified against him, stating that Nyakeo had told his friends to lie to the court during the trial.
Prosecutors also alleged that Nyakeo had sexually harassed his colleagues and attempted to leave Texas during the investigation.
