Manhattan District Attorney Alvin L. Bragg, Jr., today announced the indictment of seven individuals for their roles in an assault on two NYPD officers in Times Square on January 27, 2024.
Of the seven indicted today:
- Five were arrested last week: DARWIN ANDRES GOMEZ-IZQUIEL, WILSON JUAREZ, KELVIN SERVITA AROCHA, YORMAN REVERON, and YOHENRY BRITO.
- Two additional individuals have been indicted, but they have not been apprehended and their names remain under seal until they are arraigned in Supreme Court.
The Office also shared information about additional individuals who have not been identified. Anyone with information about these individuals should call 212-335-9040. The Office’s investigation into the assault in Times Square remains ongoing.
Today’s New York State Supreme Court indictment follows a thorough investigation of each individual’s conduct that included a review of several different angles of video surveillance, review of a variety of body worn camera footage, and interviews with witnesses. The Statement of Facts details that, as alleged, the defendants are responsible for a range of conduct, which the Office was able to verify following a comprehensive review of evidence.
BRITO, GOMEZ-IZQUIEL, REVERON and AROCHA are all charged in a New York State Supreme Court indictment on two counts of Assault in the Second Degree and one count of Obstructing Governmental Administration in the Second Degree. JUAREZ and BRITO are each charged with one count of Tampering with Physical Evidence. JUAREZ is charged with two counts of Hindering Prosecution in the Third Degree, while BRITO is charged with one count. [1]
“The assault on our police officers in Times Square outraged and sickened me. We have absolutely no tolerance for this despicable behavior. Our joint investigation with the NYPD helped us determine the alleged roles of new individuals involved, including some who are charged with having committed the most violent conduct and have not yet been apprehended. We ask the public to share any information on these individuals by calling the Office at 212-335-9040,” said District Attorney Bragg. “The thorough nature of our joint investigation reflects the utmost seriousness in which we are treating this incident – accountability, justice and public safety only comes from charging the right people with the right conduct. I am extraordinarily grateful to Commissioner Caban and the entire NYPD for their close partnership on this investigation, along with our team of dedicated prosecutors and analysts who have worked tirelessly to uncover every piece of evidence.”
NYPD Commissioner Edward A. Caban said, “As this thorough investigation continues, the men and women of the NYPD remain committed to working with the office of the Manhattan district attorney to ensure that everyone who took part in this despicable incident is held fully accountable for their actions.”
According to court documents and statements made on the record, at approximately 8:30 p.m. near 220 West 42nd Street, two police officers instructed the defendants to move to West 41st Street. One officer eventually grasped BRITO and pushed him against a building. BRITO then attempted to escape and struggled against the officers while he was held on the ground. BRITO fled the scene and was arrested on January 31st. He has been held on bail since February 1st.
The first four individuals arrested that evening were GOMEZ-IZQUIEL, JUAREZ, AROCHA and REVERON. Of those four, GOMEZ-IZQUIEL is charged with allegedly grabbing one officer and kicking the other once. REVERON is charged with allegedly grabbing, pulling and throwing the two officers to the ground. Neither JUAREZ nor AROCHA ever hit or kick either officer – AROCHA kicked a police radio and JUAREZ watched from a distance, before eventually giving his grey jacket to BRITO.
Over the last several days, there have been rumors that the four individuals above left the City and were taken into custody by federal authorities. The Manhattan D.A.’s Office was informed by Homeland Security Investigations on Tuesday, February 6, 2024, that the four individuals they took into custody were not affiliated with the New York City investigation. To date, the Office has not received any indication from federal authorities that they have detained any individual related to the Office’s case.
The names of the additional two individuals indicted today are sealed:
- One individual in a black jacket, light blue hood and black pants, allegedly kicked and then grabbed the leg of an officer. He was taken into custody at the scene but eventually released by the NYPD.
- The other individual, in a red, white and blue FILA jacket, grabbed an officer. Later that evening, JUAREZ was found wearing the FILA jacket.
Three individuals have not yet been identified. Of those three individuals:
- One individual, wearing an red hooded sweatshirt and white hat, kicked an officer’s head multiple times and grabbed and pulled the collar of the other officer.
- A second individual, wearing a black puffer coat, kicked an officer in the head once and fell to the ground.
- A third individual, wearing a black jacket with a hood over a white brimmed hat, kicked an officer in the foot.
Another individual, wearing light pink sneakers, kicked an officer in the upper body at least once. The individual initially charged with this conduct is Jhoan Boada, who has not been indicted as the Office continues to investigate.
The case is being prosecuted by Assistant District Attorneys Zachary Kotin, Mireille Dee and Neil Greenwell, with the assistance of Analyst Anastasia Trico, under the supervision of David Hammer (Chief of Trial Bureau 70) and Lisa DelPizzo (Chief of the Trial Division).
D.A. Bragg thanked Lt. John Peitanza, Detectives Robert Rivera and Lana Blanco, and police officers Jonathan Jimenez, and Kelvin Villegas of Midtown South; and the SMART Team.
Defendant Information:
Charged
- Assault in the Second Degree, a class D felony, two counts
- Obstructing Governmental Administration in the Second Degree, a class A misdemeanor, one count
- Tampering with Physical Evidence, a class E felony, one count
- Hindering Prosecution in the Third Degree, a class A misdemeanor, one count
Charged
- Assault in the Second Degree, a class D felony, two counts
- Obstructing Governmental Administration in the Second Degree, a class A misdemeanor, one count
Charged
- Assault in the Second Degree, a class D felony, two counts
- Obstructing Governmental Administration in the Second Degree, a class A misdemeanor, one count
Charged
- Assault in the Second Degree, a class D felony, two counts
- Obstructing Governmental Administration in the Second Degree, a class A misdemeanor, one count
Charged
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Charged
- XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
- XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
- XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
Charged:
- Tampering with Physical Evidence, a class E felony, one count
- Hindering Prosecution in the Third Degree, a class A misdemeanor, two counts
[1] The charges contained in the indictment are merely allegations, and the defendants are 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.
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