Ex-security guard at NYC federal building admits to sexually assaulting asylum seeker

The guard had worked at 26 Federal Plaza, which houses offices for the FBI, ICE and other government agencies.

An armed security guard at a federal building in Manhattan, housing ICE and FBI offices, was found guilty of sexually assaulting a man seeking asylum protection last May, federal prosecutors revealed on Wednesday.

Jimmy Solano-Arias, 42, admitted as part of a plea deal reached in Manhattan federal court that, after offering to assist the man with his asylum paperwork, he instead led him to a locked second-floor office at 26 Federal Plaza, and demanded oral sex.

When the victim resisted, Solano-Arias placed his hand on his holstered firearm, instilling fear in the victim, court documents state.

The victim promptly reported the assault to law enforcement, leading to Solano-Arias's arrest the following day after he lied to FBI agents, including by falsely asserting that the sexual act was consensual when it was not, according to prosecutors.

Migrants routinely line up outside the building to file paperwork seeking asylum in the US.

The Bronx resident, currently out on bail, pleaded guilty on Wednesday to one count of making false statements to federal law enforcement agents. Come July, when Solano-Arias is sentenced, guidelines recommend around five years of imprisonment, although the judge will make the final decision. Had the case proceeded to trial, he could have faced a considerably longer sentence, but the plea deal allows for a conviction without the victim needing to testify.

Solano-Arias had been employed by a private security company guarding the government building, located across from the federal courthouse in downtown Manhattan. The building accommodates offices for Immigration and Customs Enforcement, the FBI, and currently the US Attorney’s Office for the Southern District, the same office prosecuting Solano-Arias.

“Jimmy Solano-Arias abused the trust and privileges bestowed on him as an armed security officer at a federal building,” stated US Attorney Damian Williams in a released statement. “Instead of ensuring the safety of the numerous federal employees and visitors at 26 Federal Plaza, Solano-Arias exploited his position of authority to sexually abuse an individual seeking asylum protection in the United States,” the prosecutor added.