Kenyan Man Sentenced to 20 Years for Sexually Assaulting Apartment Receptionist in Phoenix, Arizona

Kenyan man Brian Kibiwot Chuchuney, 36, will spend two decades in prison for sexually assaulting a 70-year-old woman who was working as a receptionist in a downtown Phoenix apartment building in December 2022.

Maricopa County Attorney Rachel Mitchell announced the sentencing on Friday, affirming the gravity of Chuchuney’s actions and their lasting impact on both the victim and the community. The incident occurred on December 17, 2023, when the victim was working an overnight shift. According to official documents, around 4:30 a.m. on Sunday, Chuchuney went to the window of the complex near Jefferson Street and knocked. The victim, mistakenly believing Chuchuney lived in the building, let him in.

Once inside, Chuchuney asked a few seemingly innocent questions such as needing to use the bathroom. After requesting water, Chuchuney followed the unsuspecting victim and attempted to sexually assault her before committing sexual abuse. In a further act of degradation, he stole the victim’s clothes before fleeing the scene. Authorities have stressed the significant threat Chuchuney poses to public safety. County Attorney Rachel Mitchell states that his actions and lack of remorse clearly demonstrate his danger to the community.

She commends Deputy County Attorney Maren Soreson for her diligent work, which has resulted in Chuchuney’s lengthy prison sentence. Following an extensive investigation, Chuchuney pleaded guilty in July 2023 to one count of kidnapping and two counts of attempted sexual assault. His sentence includes 20 years in prison for kidnapping and lifetime supervised probation for the attempted sexual assault charges. The victim’s impact statement conveys the profound suffering caused by Chuchuney’s actions.

She describes the physical, financial, and emotional toll of the assault, emphasizing how it has devastated her life, her ability to work, and deeply affected her family. Following the incident, community advocacy groups called for stricter security protocols, including improved screening practices for building access and increased education on sexual violence prevention.

“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.” reads the impact statement.