Brian Chuchuney sentenced to 20 years for assault of 70-year-old woman in Phoenix

Brian Kibiwot Chuchuney, 31, was sentenced for the attack and attempted sexual assault of a 70-year-old woman in downtown Phoenix, according to an announcement on Oct. 11 by the Maricopa County Attorney's Office.

According to County Attorney Rachel Mitchell, Chuchuney was sentenced to 20 years in prison and a lifetime of supervised probation following his release. In July, Chuchuney pleaded guilty to one count of kidnapping and two counts of attempt to commit sexual assault, according to the announcement.

In the early morning hours of Dec. 17, 2023, the victim worked as a receptionist at a downtown Phoenix apartment building when Chuchuney approached from the outside and asked to be let in. The victim reportedly mistook Chuchuney for a resident and let him inside, prompting him to ask for water, according to the announcement.

When the victim turned away from the desk, Chuchuney reportedly followed the victim and sexually abused her before he took her clothes and left the scene, according to the announcement. Hours later, police found Chuchuney near the hotel and arrested him.

The announcement included a portion of the victim's statement shared to the court that sentenced Chuchuney.

"Your cruelty has hurt me physically, and financially, but above all, the emotional blow you inflicted has shattered my life, capacity to work and severely wounded my family," read the victim's statement.

Mitchell thanked Deputy County Attorney Maren Sorensen for their work to sentence the suspect.

“This defendant’s heinous actions and lack of remorse make it clear that he poses a significant danger to the community,” Mitchell said.

This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: Brian Chuchuney sentenced to 20 years for assault of 70-year-old woman in Phoenix