Turkish illegal migrant arrested for raping New York girl, 15, in his car after threatening her with metal pole

An undocumented Turkish migrant has been charged over the rape and abduction of a teenage girl in upstate New York.

Sakir Akkan, 21, was arrested last week for the May 14 assault on a 15-year-old girl in Albany.

The attack occurred shortly after midnight when Akkan approached the victim in a green Toyota Prius, got out and threatened her with a metal pole, according to the Times Union.

Akkan is a Turkish migrant who crossed the San Diego border illegally seven months ago. Critics have slammed the police department for failing to notify the public of the attack. 

'To be perfectly clear, neither I nor anyone else in police administration had any idea whatsoever the immigration status of the defendant in this case until after he was arrested and arraigned on the charges,' Albany Police Chief Eric Hawkins told WRGB.

Sakir Akkan (pictured), 21, a Turkish migrant who entered the country illegally, was charged with the brutal rape of a 15-year-old girl in Albany

'Immigration status was simply not a factor in the media release decision and any insinuation to the contrary is completely inaccurate.

'The common practice by the Albany Police Department is that information regarding sexual assaults are not released through a media release to prevent further trauma to the victim, unless there are other extenuating circumstances, such as if the situation poses an imminent threat to the public. Albany Police Department determined there was not.'

The teenage girl had left her group home off New Scotland Avenue when she was allegedly approached by Akkan.

He forced her into the car by threatening to beat her and drove off to an isolated area off South Pearl Street, police say.

Critics have slammed the police department for failing to notify the public of the attack, but Albany Police Chief Eric Hawkins (pictured) said it is standard practice

Akkan allegedly pushed her into the back seat and raped her, with police reports indicating she suffered scratches on her legs in self defense.

Surveillance footage captured a man believed to be Akkan letting the girl out of the car then driving off after the sexual assault.

He was not arrested until a month later and is currently being held at the Albany County Jail on on $25,000 cash bail, a $50,000 bond or a partial bond of $75,000.

Akkan's defense attorney, George LaMarche, told The New York Post his client will not be able to post bail because an immigration detainer has been filed against him.

He was arrested in November for illegally crossing the border but was released on his own recognizance and given a February 2025 court date in Philadelphia. 

Akkan is currently being held at the Albany County Jail (pictured) on on $25,000 cash bail, but his attorney said the feds have issued an immigration detainer against him

Locals have slammed the police department for not putting out a release about the attack or Akkan's arrest and his immigration status. 

'A 15 year old girl raped by an ILLEGAL ALIEN in the city of Albany and the public doesn't get notified? We are suppose to believe this wasn't covered up by the city administration? B******t,' Rensselaer County Executive Steve McLaughlin said on X.

'Albany County has now joined the growing list of local municipalities with major violent crimes committed by those in our country illegally,' said Albany County Legislator Frank Mauriello.

'The attempts by local authorities to hide these appalling crimes and the suspects' immigration statuses for weeks from the public only makes it worse.'