Manhattan District Attorney Alvin L. Bragg, Jr., announced the hate crime trial conviction of GINO SOZIO, 40, for slashing a 22-year-old Muslim-American man, while he was out with friends, in an anti-Muslim attack in Midtown on December 31, 2022. A New York Supreme Court jury found SOZIO guilty of one count each of Attempted Assault in the First Degree as a Hate Crime, Assault in the Second Degree as a Hate Crime and Criminal Possession of a Weapon in the Third Degree. He will be sentenced on May 3, 2024.
“A Manhattan jury held Gino Sozio accountable for attacking a Muslim-American man in a vicious act of hate,” said District Attorney Bragg. “Instead of walking away from a dispute, Sozio went on an appalling racist and anti-Muslim tirade and took out a knife, seriously injuring the victim who is still in pain to this day. I thank the victim and the eyewitnesses for bravely coming forward and taking the stand, and our talented prosecutors who fought for justice in this case.”
As proven at trial, on December 31, 2022, the 22-year-old man and his friends traveled to the City from New Jersey, visited a halal food cart near the southeast corner of East 29th Street and 5th Avenue, and ordered food. At approximately 2:00 a.m., while the group was waiting for the food, SOZIO approached and confronted them after one of the friends told SOZIO that they believed he dropped something. SOZIO cursed and made xenophobic remarks, stating in substance, “This is my country. Go back to your country.”
During the altercation, another one of the friends took out his phone to record the incident, which SOZIO slapped out of his hand. The man’s friend punched SOZIO in response. SOZIO then pulled out a knife from his pocket and started swinging it towards the group. Eventually, SOZIO slashed the victim’s torso – leaving a large wound across his upper abdomen – which required stitches and surgery. The man’s friends were able to disarm SOZIO and call 9-1-1. Throughout the attack, SOZIO continued making racial remarks at the group, such as “terrorist” and “Halal motherf—s.”
Police officers arrested SOZIO on the scene a few minutes later and recovered the knife. While under arrest, SOZIO continued making racial comments and slurs about the group of men.
If you or someone you know has been a victim or witness to a hate crime or bias incident, please call 9-1-1 or report it to our Office at 212-335-3100.
D.A. Bragg thanked the NYPD, particularly the Midtown South and 13th Precincts.
Defendant Information:
GINO SOZIO
Morganville, NJ
Convicted:
Attempted Assault in the First Degree as a Hate Crime, a class B felony, one count
Assault in the Second Degree as a Hate Crime, a class C felony, one count
Criminal Possession of a Weapon in the Third Degree, a class D felony, one count
