Man Sentenced For Raping Woman At Newark Airport's Parking Garage

ELIZABETH, NJ — A West New York man was sentenced to 18 years in state prison for raping and attacking a woman at Newark Liberty International Airport, Union County Prosecutor William A. Daniel announced Tuesday.

On Friday, Union County Superior Court Judge Regina Caufield sentenced Thomassal Watkins, age 42, requiring him to serve 85 percent of the sentence before being eligible for parole.

Additionally, Watkins will face lifetime parole supervision and Megan’s Law registration.

Watkins previously pled guilty to first-degree aggravated sexual assault on Dec. 11, 2023.

On Jan. 18, 2023, just before 9 p.m., Port Authority Police Department officers went to the Conrac Parking Garage, connected to Newark Airport’s Terminal A, after a woman reported being sexually assaulted minutes earlier as she was walking to her car, according to Union County Assistant Prosecutor Caroline Lawlor, who prosecuted the case.

Officers were able to quickly find and apprehend Watkins on airport property.

Watkins was identified as the suspect following an exhaustive investigation led by the Union County Prosecutor’s Office Special Victims Unit Detective Claudia Diez and Port Authority Police Department’s Detective Amos Shand, with the help of the Union County Sheriff’s Department Crime Scene Unit.

"We commend the exceptional work of the Port Authority Police Department for their rapid response and apprehension of the suspect," said Union County Prosecutor William Daniel. "This collaborative effort between our agencies demonstrates our unwavering commitment to protecting the public and bringing perpetrators of such heinous crimes to justice."

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