Manhattan District Attorney Alvin L. Bragg, Jr. today announced the sentencing of DOUGLAS YOUNG, 40, to 41 years-to-life in state prison for the 2021 murder of 29-year-old Francisco Villalva, a delivery worker. A New York Supreme Court jury found YOUNG guilty of all counts against him, which were two counts each of Murder in the Second Degree, Robbery in the First Degree and Criminal Possession of a Weapon in the Second Degree on March 22, 2023.
“Francisco Villalva worked hard to support his family in Mexico and dreamed of buying a home. That dream was cut short when he was callously shot and murdered while doing his job,” said District Attorney Bragg. “While this sentence provides a strong measure of accountability, we can never undo this devastating tragedy, and I know his memory will continue to live on with his friends, family and community.”
As proven at trial, at approximately 10:05 p.m. on March 29, 2021, Villalva rode his e-bike into Poor Richard’s Playground in East Harlem shortly after making a DoorDash delivery. YOUNG, who had arrived at the park about 45 minutes earlier, approached Villalva and tried to take the e-bike. After he refused to give up the bike, YOUNG shot and killed him at approximately 10:28 p.m.
YOUNG fled the scene less than a minute after murdering Villalva and went into the nearby Dewitt Clinton Houses. Villalva’s bike was ditched at East 108th Street and Third Avenue right after the shots were fired.
Villalva was brought to the hospital, where he was pronounced dead. YOUNG was later identified via surveillance videos from multiple locations including a Manhattan Mini Storage facility on East 110th Street.
Assistant D.A.s Jesse Matthews and Jonathon Junig handled the prosecution of this case under the supervision of Assistant D.A.s Shira Arnow and Stuart Silberg (Deputy Chiefs of Trial Bureau 30), Erin Tierney (Chief of Trial Bureau 30), and Executive Assistant D.A. Lisa DelPizzo (Chief of the Trial Division) with the assistance Ryan Strick, Leila Jiadi and Bridget Brody. The Witness Aid Services Unit and the Language Services Unit have also provided valuable assistance.
D.A. Bragg thanked the NYPD, particularly Detective John Comiskey and Detective William Dunn, the 23rd Precinct Detective squad, members of the Manhattan North Homicide Squad and members of Manhattan North Homicide Shooting Enhancement Team.
Defendant Information:
Douglas Young
Queens, NY
Convicted:
- Murder in the Second Degree, a class A-1 felony, two counts
- Robbery in the First Degree, a class B felony two counts
- Criminal Possession of a Weapon in the Second Degree, a class C felony, two counts
Sentenced:
- 41 years-to-life in state prison
###