Manhattan District Attorney Alvin L. Bragg Jr. today announced the indictment of ROBERT RAY, 33, for punching an MTA worker in an unprovoked attack at the 53rd Street and Lexington Avenue subway station in September 2024. RAY is charged in a New York State Supreme Court indictment with one count of Assault in the Second Degree. [1] 

“As alleged, Robert Ray punched an MTA employee in an unprovoked attack, causing her to fall to the ground,” said District Attorney Bragg. “Millions of New Yorkers rely on the hard work of our dedicated MTA employees every day, and we will continue to work closely with our law enforcement partners to ensure our transit system is safe. I hope the victim continues to heal from this assault.”

According to court documents and statements made on the record in court, on September 16, 2024, at approximately 6:05 a.m. in the East 53rd Street and Lexington Avenue subway station, RAY started to follow an MTA station agent who was walking to the bathroom and checking the functionality of the escalators. 

RAY, unprovoked, ran up behind the MTA employee and punched her in the face causing her to fall to the ground. 

After punching the MTA worker, RAY fled the scene and was apprehended later that day. 

The attack resulted in a laceration, swelling, and substantial pain to the victim’s face. 

Assistant D.A. Anastasia Phan (Trial Bureau 40) is handling the prosecution of this case under the supervision of Assistant D.A. Robert Ferrari (Bureau Chief of Trial Bureau 40) and Executive Assistant D.A. Lisa DelPizzo (Chief of the Trial Division). 

D.A. Bragg thanked the NYPD, particularly Detective Rashad Shomo of the Manhattan Transit Robbery Squad and Officer Michael Zhang of Transit Bureau District 4. 

Defendant Information: 

ROBERT RAY 

New York, NY 

Charged:

• Assault in the Second Degree, a class D felony, one count

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[1] The charges contained in the indictment are merely allegations, and the defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty. All factual recitations are derived from documents filed in court and statements made on the record in court.