Manhattan District Attorney Alvin L. Bragg, Jr., today announced the sentencing of BRANDON ELLIOT, 43, to 15 years in state prison for viciously and repeatedly assaulting a 65-year-old woman of Filipino descent on a Midtown sidewalk in 2021. On December 14, 2023, ELLIOT pleaded guilty in a New York State Supreme Court to one count each of Assault in the First Degree as a Hate Crime and Criminal Possession of a Weapon in the Third Degree.  

“Brandon Elliot assaulted a 65-year-old woman because of her Filipino descent,” said District Attorney Bragg. “This attack has left lasting fear and anxiety for the victim and many in the AAPI community. I hope the closure of this case will allow the victim to continue healing and moving forward, while also sending a strong message that we will seek full accountability for anyone who commits violence against their fellow New Yorkers because of their race or ethnicity.”     

As admitted in the defendant’s guilty plea, and according to court documents and statements made on the record in court, on March 29, 2021, at approximately 11:40 a.m., ELLIOT approached a 65-year-old woman of Filipino descent on the sidewalk of West 43rd Street between 8th and 9th Avenues. ELLIOT stated, in substance, “F— you, you don’t belong here.”  

ELLIOT kicked the woman in the torso, knocking her to the ground, and proceeded to repeatedly kick and stomp on her head and body. When a Good Samaritan approached to intervene, ELLIOT threatened the man with a knife before fleeing the scene. The woman was taken to a hospital, where she was diagnosed with a fractured pelvis, forehead contusions, and contusions across her body.

ELLIOT was arrested two days later, with the help of a Crime Stoppers tip.  

Assistant D.A.s Courtney Razner and John Fuller (Human Trafficking Unit) handled the prosecution of this case, under the supervision of Assistant D.A.s Constantine Coritsidis (Deputy Chief of the Hate Crimes Unit), Hannah Yu (Chief of the Hate Crimes Unit), and Executive Assistant D.A. Lisa DelPizzo (Trial Division Chief). Assistant D.A.s Robert Ferrari (Chief of Trial Bureau 40), Jeanne Olivo (Chief of the Cold Case Unit), Mary LeSeur
(Investigative Analyst of the Human Trafficking Unit), Julie Anne Lim (Senior Hate Crimes Investigative Analyst), Gisele Moyano (Senior Rackets Investigator) and Siobhan Berry (Supervising Rackets Investigator) all provided valuable assistance with the case.  

D.A. Bragg thanked the members of the New York City Police Department’s Hate Crimes Task Force, especially Detective Michael Rodriguez.  

Defendant Information:

BRANDON ELLIOT

New York, NY 

Charged: 

• Assault in the First Degree as a Hate Crime, a class B felony, one count
• Criminal Possession of a Weapon in the Third Degree, a class D Felony, one count

Sentenced:

• 15 years in state prison, 5 years post-release supervision

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