NYU Student Amelia Lewis Groped on Way to Class by Serial Offender James Rizzo, a Homeless Suspect With 16 Prior Arrests

NYU student Amelia Lewis, 20, was assaulted on her way to class in Lower Manhattan by a homeless repeat offender with a long history of targeting women — including prior arrests for sexual abuse, forcible touching, and even a 1997 murder charge, according to police and law enforcement sources.

Serial Predator Arrested Again

The attacker, James Rizzo, 45, was arrested Tuesday evening after police connected him to the assault on Lewis. Rizzo, who was recently released from state prison in September after serving two years for persistent sexual abuse, has 16 prior arrests, including multiple violent crimes against women.

Rizzo allegedly attacked Lewis around 9:30 a.m. Monday, running up behind her near Washington Square Park, groping her buttocks, yanking her hair, and throwing her to the ground before fleeing.

Police charged him with:

• Persistent sexual abuse

• Forcible touching

• Assault

Caught While Burglarizing Nearby Apartment

Rizzo was linked to the assault after officers “caught him in the act” of burglarizing an apartment near Washington Square Park on Tuesday, officials said.

The 20-year-old claimed on social media that the man who attacked her 'has been assaulting many girls around campus

 

He now also faces charges for:

• Four burglaries in the same building

• Three of which occurred while residents were asleep

Victim Speaks Out: “This Is Not OK”

Lewis posted an emotional video online, expressing fear and anger that predators like Rizzo continue to roam NYC streets despite long criminal histories.

“I just really want to emphasize how not OK this is,” she said, visibly shaken. “I’m still in shock — but I’m more enraged that things like this are able to happen in this city. We need to do something. This is unacceptable.”

A Long, Troubling Criminal Record

Rizzo’s criminal past includes disturbing attacks on women.

Law enforcement sources say:

• In December 2023, he allegedly grabbed a 33-year-old woman’s breasts on Green Street and sneered, “Oh, you want more?”

• He has multiple prior arrests for forcible touching, sexual abuse, and assault

• He once faced a 1997 murder charge

Despite his record, he was released from prison in September and was back on NYC streets shortly before the attack on Lewis.

City Outrage Growing

The assault has renewed concerns about public safety in Manhattan, particularly around NYU’s campus, where students have reported an uptick in harassment and unprovoked attacks.

As of Wednesday, Rizzo remains in custody while investigators review additional possible crimes linked to him.

🇺🇸 SHOCKING NYC SIDEWALK ATTACK ON NYU STUDENT SPARKS OUTRAGE OVER CITY SAFETY🚨

NYU student Amelia Lewis, 20, was violently slapped and shoved to the ground by a vagrant in a random Manhattan attack caught on CCTV.

The suspect, described as a tall white male, was later… pic.twitter.com/4s3LN3bLiK

— Info Room (@InfoR00M) December 3, 2025