One of the undocumented immigrants arrested for assaulting two New York City police officers in Times Square last month was indicted by a grand jury on Tuesday.
Yoenly Brito, 24, was involved in a Jan. 27 video attack in which a group of immigrants kicked and punched an NYPD lieutenant and a police officer just outside the New Amsterdam Theater, a popular tourist destination. Related charges were filed.
A spokesperson for Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg told the New York Post that the grand jury indictment remained sealed as of Tuesday.
The indictment came hours after Mr. Brito was taken in shackles to New York Criminal Court to answer two misdemeanor charges related to shoplifting, where he pleaded not guilty.
Illegal immigrant gives middle finger after allegedly attacking NYPD in Times Square
YoHenry Brito will appear in Manhattan Criminal Court in New York City on February 6, 2024. Brito was indicted by a grand jury on Tuesday. He appeared in court to answer two misdemeanor charges related to shoplifting, to which he pleaded not guilty. (Stephen Hirsch, New York Post via Poole)
Brito is the only suspect arrested and released on bail in connection with the Times Square assault, and the only suspect to have been indicted thus far.
A total of seven immigrants were arrested in connection with the ugly incident, and several others are said to have left New York after being released. A video of the incident went viral, along with a video of one of the migrants giving the middle finger after being released, sparking widespread condemnation.
Brito has a distinctive tattoo on the right side of his neck, which prosecutors focused on last week when they asked a judge to release Brito on bail.
Americans don’t feel safe with Biden’s open borders, system is ‘flashing red’
His attorney, Mark Jankowitz, told the Post that Brito denies the misdemeanor charge.
YoHenry Brito appears in Manhattan Criminal Court on February 6, 2024 in New York. Brito was indicted by a grand jury on Tuesday. He appeared in court to answer two misdemeanor charges related to shoplifting, to which he pleaded not guilty. (Stephen Hirsch, New York Post via Poole)
“He entered a procedural not guilty plea and maintains his innocence on all charges at this time,” Jankowitz said.
Brito has been held at Rikers Island since his arrest and is scheduled to appear in court on April 3 to answer to misdemeanor charges.
He is scheduled to appear in New York Supreme Court on March 25 for arraignment on charges in a sealed indictment, the Post reported.
Patrick Hendry, president of the New York City Police Benevolent Association (PBA), said the charges are “just one small step toward justice for our injured brothers.”
“This incident may never have happened if not for the outcry of New Yorkers who are fed up with a justice system that fails to protect both police officers and the public,” Hendry said in a statement posted to X.
Surveillance video captured the attack on two New York City police officers near Times Square last month. (New York City Police Department)
Click to get the FOX News app
“Too many of the participants in this vicious attack are still roaming free,” he continued. “We once again call on all New Yorkers to continue speaking out until everyone is in prison, where they belong.”
The grand jury indictment comes just one day after several illegal immigrants were arrested in Phoenix, Arizona, on charges of assaulting a New York City police officer.
Immigration and Customs Enforcement officials told Fox News that immigrants suspected of assaulting NYPD officers were arrested at a Greyhound bus stop in Phoenix in an investigation by ICE and the Department of Homeland Security. .
The identity of the arrested suspect has not been released.
