Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg’s office decided to request high bail for a group of illegal immigrants accused of assaulting two NYPD officers near Times Square last month. This decision comes after their initial release without bail caused nationwide controversy. The suspects pleaded not guilty during their arraignment on Friday.
However, despite the change in stance by the prosecution, one suspected Venezuelan gang member, who was previously ordered to leave the country, had his bail set at an astonishingly low amount of $1. Yorman Reveron, 24, was among the four suspects who escaped town after their initial release.
On the other hand, Kelvin Servita-Arocha, 19, who has ties to the Venezuelan criminal organization known as Tren de Aragua (TdA), was accused of kicking a radio away from the police during the assault. Initially released without bail, his defense asked for a bail of $1, while prosecutors requested that he be remanded without bail. The judge is considering setting bail at $15,000 or $50,000 bond pending a motions hearing on April 2. Servita-Arocha will remain in ICE custody until that date.
Wilson Omar Juarez-Aguilarte, 21, another suspected TdA member in ICE custody, was supposed to be deported a year ago. His defense attorney emphasized that he has been supporting his child and sending money back to the mother in Venezuela. The judge set his bail at $1 due to his alleged involvement in evidence tampering but not the assault itself.
Lastly, Darwin Andres Gomez-Izquiel, a 19-year-old who has been in the U.S. for just five months, appeared in court. Just two weeks after being released in the police-assault case, he was caught stealing $600 worth of merchandise from Macy’s. Prosecutors requested bail of $100,000 or $250,000 bond, which the judge granted.
Critics, including former FBI agent and Fox News contributor Nicole Parker, find the low bail amounts insulting and believe that these individuals pose a flight risk and danger to society due to their lack of ties to the community.
Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg did not attend the hearings. The situation has led to concerns about the potential impact of progressive judges and an open border policy on public safety.
The developments in this case highlight the ongoing debate surrounding bail reform and the treatment of illegal immigrants involved in criminal activities. As the legal proceedings continue, the nation will closely watch the outcome and its broader implications on the criminal justice system.
