An Atlantic City man accused of attempted rape will stay in jail, a judge ruled Monday.Joseph Lewis is accused of attacking the victim in what the judge called "a brutal broad daylight" attack April 7, outside the McDonald's at the foot of the Atlantic City Expressway.Surveillance footage shows him punching the woman, pulling down her underwear and trying to force her into an alley, Assistant Prosecutor Sean Ruckenstein told the judge during a detention hearing.Lewis admitted to attempting to rape the woman, Ruckenstein said.Police credited two Volunteers of America workers for stopping the attack and detaining Lewis until police came.Lewis' criminal history is extensive but has not included prior violence, according to information released during the hearing conducted via Zoom.His public safety assessment — used under bail reform to help determine whether a defendant should be held — put him at the highest risk for both failure to appear and likelihood to re-offend.Lewis also was flagged for new violence, due to the nature of the charges.Judge Bernard DeLury ordered Lewis held.
"This case is a brutal broad daylight attempted sexual assault bespeaking a danger to public safety beyond the mere nature and degree of the offense," he said.Public defender Stephen Funk told DeLury the victim has said she does not want to move forward with the case.But Ruckenstein said the case is strong, and includes the video and witnesses.The pair credited with stopping the attack said the victim is homeless and has previously refused help.
Two Volunteers of America workers helped stop an attempted sexual assault and capture the suspect Tuesday, police said.Police were called to the first block of Arkansas Avenue at about 8:30 a.m.Two outreach staff members were meeting a 61-year-old woman there to offer social services, according to the report. ... Read more
