Manhattan District Attorney Alvin L. Bragg, Jr., today announced the sentencing of LUIS PEROZA, 40, to ten years in state prison for assaulting three men, including the elderly owner of Ray’s Candy Store, in separate attacks in the East Village. On December 14, 2023, PEROZA pleaded guilty in a New York State Supreme Court to three counts of Assault in the First Degree. 

“Luis Peroza has been held accountable for viciously assaulting three individuals in just one day,” said District Attorney Bragg. “Among those attacked was the beloved owner of Ray’s Candy Store, who despite the attack, has shown great courage and resilience by returning to work and continuing to spread joy – as he has for decades. I hope that this sentencing can bring a sense of justice and relief for each of the victims.” 

According to court documents and statements made on the record, on January 31, 2023, at approximately 3:00 a.m., PEROZA approached the 90-year-old owner of Ray’s Candy Store, who was standing outside of the store on Avenue A. PEROZA asked if the owner would purchase canned drinks from him, but the owner declined. As admitted in the defendant’s guilty plea, PEROZA then struck him in the head with a hard object, breaking his jaw, fracturing his facial bones and giving him a black eye.

Approximately half an hour later, PEROZA demanded money from a 33-year-old man as he left a deli on Avenue C. The man said he did not have money and, as admitted in his guilty plea, PEROZA struck him in the face with a hard object, breaking his orbital bone and causing a severe laceration to his face.

Several hours later, PEROZA approached a 51-year-old man on Avenue B and, as admitted in his guilty plea, repeatedly struck the man in the head with a hard object, lacerating his face and head, knocking out a tooth, and fracturing his facial bones. 

Assistant D.A. Caroline Rowley (Trial Bureau 40) handled the prosecution of this case, under the supervision of Robert Ferrari (Chief of Trial Bureau 40), Siobhan Carty (Chief of Trial Bureau 80) and Lisa DelPizzo (Chief of the Trial Division). Trial Preparation Assistant Ella Bales provided valuable assistance in this case.  

D.A. Bragg thanked the New York City Police Department’s 9th Precinct, particularly Detective Matthew Santoro. 

Defendant Information: 

LUIS PEROZA

New York, NY 

Convicted: 

• Assault in the First Degree, a class B felony, three counts

Sentenced: 

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

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