A 31-year-old man has been sent to prison for 20 years for attempting to sexually assault a 70-year-old woman and then sexually abusing her, authorities said.

In July, Brian Kibiwot Chuchuney pleaded guilty to one count of kidnapping and two counts of attempt to commit sexual assault, according to a release from the Maricopa County Attorney’s Office. He was sentenced to 20 years in prison for kidnapping and lifetime supervised probation for each count of attempted sexual assault.

In the early hours of Dec. 17, 2023, the victim was working as an overnight receptionist at an apartment building near Jefferson Street when Chuchuney asked to be let in, according to an MCAO release.

“The victim mistook the defendant for a resident and admitted him, at which point he asked for some water,” the MCAO release stated.

“As she turned from her desk to get water, the defendant followed and attempted to sexually assault her and then sexually abused her.”

Chuchuney then took the victim’s clothing and left. Police searched the area and found him a few hours later, offcials said.

As part of her statement to the court, the victim said: “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.”

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