COPS NAB BRONX THUG IN RAPE OF 14 YEAR OLD

New York Post/Jamie Schram, Jennifer Fermino and Marsha Kranes

Anthony Hightower, a 36 year old Bronx ex-con with a history of 29 arrests, the last oneresulting in his classification as a sexually violent offender, is back behind bars accused ofrepeatedly raping a 14 year old relative.

He was charged with sexually assaulting the girl four times over a two week period. The attacksall took place in the three-bedroom Melrose apartment where neighbors report Hightower had beenliving with his sister, her six kids and a steady stream of other relatives. Hightower, whosepolice rap sheet is 35 pages long, first molested the girl on January 18. His last attack tookplace January 31. He is being held on $35,000 bail on charges of rape, sexual misconduct andendangering the welfare of a child. He was designated a Level 3, or high-risk, sex offender by thestate last November, when he was released from prison after serving three years and seven monthsfor a 1999 sex attack in upstate Elmira.

(Bronx, New York)