An illegal immigrant from Venezuela has been sentenced to 364 days in jail for kicking a New York Police Department (NYPD) officer during a brawl in Times Square on January 27. The police union argues that the sentence is far too lenient, according to the New York Post.
Nineteen-year-old Darwin Andres Gomez-Izquiel showed no remorse and reportedly smirked as he heard his sentence, following his guilty plea to second-degree assault last month. The charge stemmed from a fight involving police officers and a group of illegal immigrants.
75 percent of arrests in midtown Manhattan involve illegal immigrants.
#Breaking: One of the illegal immigrants who attacked NYPD officers last week (seen here in the orange cap) – Darwin Andres Gomez-Izquiel – has been arrested again after robbing a Macy's store and assaulting an employee along with a group of other illegals. pic.twitter.com/RsAplXhDXA
— Leftism (@LeftismForU) February 14, 2024
The police union expressed disappointment with the sentence, saying it doesn’t serve as a strong enough deterrent against assaults on law enforcement. Police Benevolent Association chief Patrick Hendry argued that Gomez-Izquiel deserved a harsher punishment to reflect the severity of his actions.
“364 days is not enough. This individual should be behind bars a lot longer. If you attack a New York City police officer, you should stay behind bars,” Hendry stated outside the courtroom. The judge also indicated that Gomez could face a much longer sentence if he reoffends.
“Mr. Gomez, if you get arrested again in New York state, you will be a predicate felon, and you will wind up upstate,” Manhattan Supreme Court Judge Laura Ward warned while delivering the sentence. Gomez-Izquiel is the second member of the group to be sentenced; another member, Kevlin Servita Arocha, pleaded guilty in June and was sentenced to time served.
The incident occurred outside a shelter for illegal immigrants on West 42nd Street near Seventh Avenue, according to Manhattan prosecutors. Five other defendants—Ulises Bohorquez, Yohenry Brito, Wilson Juarez, Yorman Reveron, and Edgarlis Vegas—still have open cases and are scheduled to appear in court on Wednesday.
Illegal immigrants in New York City occupy shelters that range from former city government buildings to luxury hotels. For example, Marriott International is suing one of its New York City properties that has been converted into a shelter.
Since the beginning of the Biden-Harris administration, New York City, like other major U.S. cities, has provided various taxpayer-funded benefits to illegal immigrants. The city has offered free airline tickets to illegal immigrants to travel anywhere in the U.S., repurposed a high school for their use, and provided prepaid debit cards as well.
