Prosecutors say DNA has pointed them to a man who molested a series of women on New York City subways going back to 2002.
Darnell Hardware pleaded not guilty Tuesday to charges including sexual abuse in three incidents in Manhattan from 2002 to 2005. The Manhattan District Attorney’s office says Hardware rubbed his genitals against women who couldn’t get away from him on crowded rush-hour subways, then he fled when the doors opened — but left his semen on their clothes.
Prosecutors say those samples were matched to his DNA. It was collected on his conviction in an unrelated drug case.
Prosecutors say the 26-year-old also faces similar charges in the Bronx and Brooklyn.
Defense lawyer Liam Malanpahy notes that Hardware has never been convicted of any such crimes.