'Ridiculous judicial system': Outrage as migrants who beat up cops in Times Square get lenient jail terms

TIMES SQUARE, NEW YORK: Five of the seven migrants charged with assaulting two NYPD officers in Times Square have been offered plea deals that would result in jail terms of less than a year.

Ulises Bohorquez, Yohenry Brito, Edgarlis Vegas, Darwin Andres Gomez-Izquiel, Wilson Juarez, Yorman Reveron, and Kelvin Servita Arocha appeared in New York Supreme Criminal Court on Tuesday, May 14, where they faced charges of second-degree assault and obstruction of government administration following a violent altercation captured on video.

Insights into the Times Square brawl 

The incident unfolded as officers attempted to disperse a group near 220 West 42nd Street, when suspect Brito, 24, "got confrontational with the officers" as they arrested them, resulting in injuries to Lieutenant Ben Kurian and Officer Zunxu Tian. Judge Laura Wood issued a stern warning to Brito, described as the "most culpable," following his rearrest on unrelated charges while on bail, threatening severe consequences for any further infractions.

"I am furious that Mr Brito was rearrested and charged with petty larceny while he was out on this case," Wood said. "I am very tempted right now to put you in jail. I am telling you right now, if I learn you are rearrested for anything at all between now and this case being finished, I will order a warrant and I will place bail so high you will not get out. If you jaywalk, if you jump a turnstile, if you do anything at all and I have to issue a warrant, you will not see the light of day until this case is over," reported Daily Mail.

What are the charges against the suspects?

Prosecutors offered Bohorquez, Brito, and Gomez-Izquiel a year in prison in exchange for pleading guilty to second-degree assault, while Arocha and Juarez were presented with six-month jail terms for pleading guilty to obstructing government administration. Vegas and Reveron have yet to receive plea deals, with defense attorneys instructed to return to court if no agreements are reached.

The prosecution alleges Brito's refusal to comply with an officer's order sparked the brawl, leading to a chaotic scene where officers and suspects were seen grappling on the ground. Despite international attention and days passing before indictments, some suspects were freed on bail shortly after the attack, while others fled the area.

Brito, Gomez, Reveron, and Arocha face charges of second-degree assault and obstructing governmental administration, with Juarez accused of tampering with physical evidence.

Current migrant influx into US

Since 2022, New York City has received over 170,000 migrants, predominantly transported by buses dispatched by Texas authorities from the US-Mexico border. The majority are asylum-seekers originating from South American nations grappling with political and economic turmoil, such as Venezuela and El Salvador. However, an increasing number of individuals from Asia, Western Africa, and the Caribbean are also undertaking the arduous journey to the US via the southern border, reported Gzero.

Diverging from other cities labeled as "sanctuaries," New York operates under a legal obligation, outlined in a consent decree, mandating the provision of shelter to all who seek it. However, the city's already strained system, plagued by insufficient funding and resources, is now grappling with the overwhelming influx of migrants, exacerbating the challenges faced.

Public outcry over Times Square incident

A user tweeted, "Ridiculous.. beat up people, let go, re. arrested, given a lecture, abd vague threat by Judge. Ridiculous Judicial system in NYC." Another added, "They were acting in self defense…" "Who’s to blame? Looks like the justice department again!" third tweeted.

A fourth added, "They are setting the standard for how the illegals will expect to be treated from now on." "Disgusting and certainly not Justice being served," stated a user.

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