According to officials, Jonathan Stewart, 25, try to strike up a conversation with the woman while she was sitting on a bench around 5:15 a.m., and then punched her in the face, choked her, an then dragged her into some bushes where he raped her.
The victim, who is an actress and reportedly has lived in the city for four years, was treated and released from an area hospital.
Stewart was arrested soon after the attack on sex abuse and assault charges.
Stewart, who has at least eight prior arrests, was released on parole in July after serving six years for sexually assaulting a 21-year-old woman in the city.
Stewart's last known address was 600 East 125th St., the location of a psychiatric center.
Service restarts at noon Tuesday The MTA and the LIRR unions have reached an agreement to end the 3-day transit strike. NewsdayTV's Pat Dolan reports.
Service restarts at noon Tuesday The MTA and the LIRR unions have reached an agreement to end the 3-day transit strike. NewsdayTV's Pat Dolan reports.



