Serdar Ozmen Pleads Guilty to All Counts, Including Kidnapping in the 1st Degree as a Sexually Motivated Felony

Rochester, NY- On Monday, February 3, 2025, 41-year-old Serdar Ozmen pled guilty to the indictment, which included Kidnapping in the 1st Degree as a Sexually Motivated Felony, two counts of Criminal Sexual Act in the 1st Degree, and two counts of Criminal Sexual Act in the 2nd Degree, for the kidnapping and sexual assault of a 14-year-old child.  

On March 25, 2024, an amber alert was issued for a 14-year-old girl who was missing from her home. Together, the Brighton Police Department, the New York State Police, and the New York City Police Department worked in tandem to locate the child less than 24 hours from her kidnapping. 

After a swift, high-priority investigation, it was determined that the 14-year-old victim met 41-year-old Serdar Ozmen online through social media. The defendant convinced the victim to leave her house in the middle of the night, when he restrained her in his vehicle and abducted her. Serdar Ozmen drove her from Monroe County to New York City.

New York Police Officers located the 14-year-old victim in an apartment in the Bronx. During the abduction, she was sexually assaulted. She was quickly reunited with her family due to the quick work of the Brighton Police Department, the New York State Police, and the New York City Police Department.

This case was prosecuted by Assistant District Attorney Sara VanStrydonck, Chief of the Special Victims Unit, and Assistant District Attorney Patrick Gallagher, Chief of the Domestic Violence Bureau.

“Serdar Ozmen was looking for a target when he made contact with this 14-year-old victim,” said Assistant District Sara VanStrydonck. “Parents, I urge you to stay diligent. Predators exist and they search out children. Because of the swift and intensive work from the various police departments, I am proud to refer to this young girl as a survivor. Now, all I hope for is that she can continue to heal from this devastating and heinous kidnapping.”

“Serdar Ozmen is a predator who targeted a vulnerable child on the internet,” said Monroe County District Attorney Sandra Doorley. “Without the diligent work of the Brighton Police Department, the New York State Police, and the New York City Police Department, this may have led to further, unimaginable tragedy. Predators are online, searching for victims and I am relieved that this investigation resulted in a quick reunion for the victim and her family. I am pleased that the defendant admitted to his horrific actions and it is the hope of the Monroe County District Attorney’s Office that he spends the rest of his life incarcerated, unable to target any more children.”

Serdar Ozman is scheduled to be sentenced on March 5, 2025, in front of New York State Supreme Court Justice Renzi.