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A woman who fell asleep on the R train Feb. 23, 2018, awoke and found Reggie Frank, 48, sitting across from her masturbating with his genitals exposed. Frank pepper-sprayed the woman's eyes when she asked what he was doing.
Frank then pulled out a folding knife and held it to the woman's temple while holding her head still. Frank slashed her hand when she fought back, punched her and bit her hand hard enough to make her bleed, authorities said.
When the train arrived at the 36th St.- 4th Avenue station, someone entered the train and pulled Frank off the woman as the conductor radioed police. Frank was arrested and a can of pepper spray as well as a knife were recovered.
The woman required 15 stitches, suffered permanent nerve damage and a corneal erosion that has affected her eyesight.
“This defendant’s deviant and violent behavior endangers all New Yorkers, especially those who depend on the subway. The fact that the defendant has 20 prior convictions related to public lewdness is ample evidence that he is willing to disregard the law, the risk of incarceration and the harm to society," District Attorney Eric Gonzalez said.
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