Manhattan District Attorney Alvin L. Bragg, Jr., today announced the prison sentence of LUIS ROSAS, 43, to 12 years in state prison for slashing three victims in the face in separate, unprovoked, incidents near the Port Authority Bus Terminal in January 2023. On November 22, 2024, ROSAS was convicted by a New York State Supreme Court jury of four counts of Assault in the First Degree and two counts of Assault in the Second Degree.
“Within hours, Luis Rosas slashed three victims in unprovoked attacks near one of Midtown’s largest and most frequented transportation hubs,” said District Attorney Bragg. “After being convicted of a jury of his peers, Rosas will now serve a state prison term for these brutal assaults, which caused significant injuries for each victim. In Manhattan, we are laser-focused on random, unprovoked attacks, and we will continue to hold accountable those who harm New Yorkers.”
As proven at trial, on January 2, 2023, at approximately 9:15 p.m., ROSAS approached a 41-year-old-man while he was standing in front of Chipotle on 8th Avenue, near the Port Authority Bus Terminal. ROSAS asked the man for a cigarette and after the victim declined to provide one, ROSAS slashed him across the face. The victim walked into the bus terminal, where first responders rendered aid and he was ultimately transported to Bellevue Hospital.
On January 3, 2023, at approximately 12:10 a.m., ROSAS followed a 41-year-old man outside of the Port Authority Bus Terminal and down the street, near West 42nd Street and 8th Avenue. ROSAS approached him from behind and slashed him behind the ear down to the neck. The man returned to the terminal where he was treated by first responders and transported to Bellevue Hospital.
A few hours later, at approximately 3:00 a.m., ROSAS followed a 48-year-old man down the steps into the subway station at West 40th Street and 8th Avenue. From behind and above, ROSAS slashed him across the face, ear, and neck. ROSAS fled the scene, and the victim immediately reported the incident to police officers inside the station. The victim was taken to Bellevue Hospital.
Later the same morning, ROSAS was arrested by officers inside Port Authority. He was arrested wearing the same clothing he was seen wearing from all three incidents.
Assistant D.A. Matthew Sears handled the prosecution of this case, under the supervision of David Hammer (Bureau Chief of Trial Bureau 70) and Lisa DelPizzo (Chief of the Trial Division), and with the ongoing assistance of Sarah Marquez (Trial Bureau 70) and Peter Casolaro (Senior Trial Counsel, Trial Bureau 70). Trial Preparation Assistants Ivana Grandic and Major Case Analysts Anastasia Trico assisted with the prosecution.
D.A. Bragg thanked the New York City Police Department, particularly Detective Keith Kealy (Midtown South Detective Squad), Sergeants Brendan Coughlin (Midtown South Patrol) and Tara Magas (formerly Midtown South Patrol), and Police Officer George Cintron (Transit Division District 1). D.A. Bragg also thanked the Port Authority Police Department, particularly Lieutenant Amy Desthers and Police Officer Luis Fontinha.
Defendant Information:
LUIS ROSAS
New York, NY
Convicted:
• Assault in the First Degree, a class B felony, four counts
• Assault in the Second Degree, a class D felony, two counts
Sentenced:
• 12 years in state prison
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