Manhattan District Attorney Alvin L. Bragg Jr. today announced the sentencings of TOM RUIZ, 28, to 32-years-to-life and JONATHAN TOLENTINO, 23, to 25-years-to-life in state prison for fatally shooting 26-year-old Michael Monclus in East Harlem on May 8, 2021. RUIZ and TOLENTINO were convicted by a New York State Supreme Court jury on May 17, 2024, of one count of Murder in the Second Degree and two counts of Criminal Possession of a Weapon in the Second Degree.
“Tom Ruiz and Jonathan Tolentino carried out the cold-blooded execution and robbery of 26-year-old Michael Monclus hoping that they could gain status within their gang and pay back their debts. Mr. Monclus was cared for by his whole family, adored his son, and loved to help others,” said District Attorney Bragg. “I send my deep condolences to Mr. Monclus’s family, including his parents, brothers, former girlfriend and six-year-old son, who are continuing to mourn his devastating loss. I hope today’s sentence can provide Mr. Monclus’s loved ones a sense of comfort and closure as Tom Ruiz and Jonathan Tolentino are being held accountable for their fatal actions.”
As proven at trial, RUIZ and TOLENTINO were members of the Givenchy Stone Savages (“GSS”), a Blood gang subset operating in the South Bronx. RUIZ was a leader in the group, known as “Top Savage,” responsible for acquiring guns, committing violence on the gang’s behalf, and meting out discipline. TOLENTINO was a lower ranking member who sought to move up within the gang by committing violent acts, including an earlier shooting at RUIZ’s behest on December 27, 2020.
In the months before the murder, RUIZ and TOLENTINO communicated often about acquiring and using firearms in shootings. In particular, TOLENTINO possessed a nine-millimeter firearm in the weeks before the murder. Other members of the gang would sometimes ask to borrow TOLENTINO’s gun.
Prior to the murder, RUIZ was friends with Michael Monclus and sold marijuana and pills on Mr. Monclus’s behalf.
On May 8, 2021, RUIZ and TOLENTINO devised a plan to lure Mr. Monclus to a building with no cameras in the stairwell in order to rob him. RUIZ told Mr. Monclus that he needed help getting cash that RUIZ owed Mr. Monclus. RUIZ also concocted a fake drug deal, telling Mr. Monclus that he knew someone who could sell Mr. Monclus pills. There was no drug deal, and this was merely a ruse to get Mr. Monclus to show up to their meeting with a large amount of cash.
In the hours before the murder, RUIZ and TOLENTINO discussed efforts to get an additional gun and ammunition, although they ultimately used the 9 mm gun already in their possession to kill Mr. Monclus. They had Mr. Monclus pick them up in his car and drive them to East 99th Street for the purported drug deal.
RUIZ and TOLENTINO walked Mr. Monclus into the stairwell and shot him twice, once in the back and once in the side. Both shots were fatal.
Then, they stole Mr. Monclus’s car and emptied it of various items, including sneakers, which RUIZ wore the next day and attempted to sell.
Afterward, TOLENTINO sold the gun used in the murder, and acquired a replacement gun.
On May 21, 2021, detectives executing a court-authorized warrant recovered live 9 mm rounds and an unloaded revolver. On the day of the murder, RUIZ made various internet searches on his phone, including “how long does it take a person to bleed out.”
The jury found the defendants guilty of all counts after deliberating for thirty minutes.
Assistant D.A.s Pierre Griffith (Violent Criminal Enterprises Unit), Kristen Tierney (Trial Bureau 50), and Meghan McNulty (Child Abuse Bureau) handled the prosecution of this case under the supervision of Assistant D.A.s Justin McNabney (Chief of the Special Victims Division) Christopher Prevost (Deputy Chief of the Trial Division) and Executive Assistant D.A. Lisa DelPizzo (Chief of the Trial Division). Violent Criminal Enterprises Unit Analysts Jhon de la Cruz, Cristina Valianatos, Felix Poley, and Will Engelmayer also provided valuable assistance in this case.
D.A. Bragg thanked the NYPD, specifically Sergeant Allen Moore, formerly of the 23rd Precinct Detective Squad and Detective Paul Pastorini from the Manhattan North Homicide and Shooting Enhancement Team.
Defendant Information:
TOM RUIZ
Bronx, NY
Convicted:
- Murder in the Second Degree, a class A-I felony, one count
- Criminal Possession of a Weapon in the Second Degree, a class C felony, two counts
Sentenced:
- 32-years-to-life in state prison
JONATHAN TOLENTINO
Bronx, NY
Convicted:
- Murder in the Second Degree, a class A-I felony, one count
- Criminal Possession of a Weapon in the Second Degree, a class C felony, two counts
Sentenced:
- 25-years-to-life in state prison
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