The ruthless thug who randomly knocked an 81-year-old woman unconscious on the Upper West Side was free on bail on previous charges of exposing himself to the mother and her two children, Manhattan prosecutors said Friday. Announced.
Hansel Esparragoza, 37, has two outstanding Staten Island crimes and was caught on video beating elderly Jela Freeman at West 66th Street and Amsterdam Avenue in Manhattan on September 13. Authorities said he was on supervised release when he committed the shocking assault that was filmed. Said.
Prosecutors said the suspect already had multiple warrants out for his arrest for failing to appear in court when he insulted an elderly woman.
He was ultimately released on $75,000 bail at his arraignment Friday in Manhattan Criminal Court on assault charges for allegedly punching a defenseless victim.
Esparragoza, a Staten Island resident who has been arrested 21 times in the past, was arrested on July 27 after he exposed himself to a woman and her two children while muttering “Hey, Mama” outside a strip mall on Manhattan's Staten Island. It was done. Assistant District Attorney Hunter Carell said during Friday's hearing.
Esparagoza was charged with child endangerment and public indecency in the case, but was released on supervised release because the rap act was not eligible for bail, officials said.
He was rearrested two weeks later on August 9 on suspicion of stealing books from a Barnes & Noble store at the Staten Island Mall.
The suspect was issued a citation for petty theft, but those charges were also not eligible for bail.
A spokesperson for the Staten Island District Attorney's Office said, “It is with great regret that our office and the people of Staten Island are unable to file charges against this defendant because of New York State's disastrous policy of so-called bail reform.'' None of the charges filed are non-bailable.” Said.
In a Manhattan courtroom on Friday, prosecutors witnessed the moment Ms. Esparagoza allegedly attacked an unsuspecting Mr. Freeman, who was walking his son's Goldendoodle at the time.
Footage of the senseless assault shows Esparagoza first walking past the victim as she walked her dog, but then the victim turns back.
“After taking a few steps, [Esparragoza]Apparently for no reason, he turned around and immediately started walking towards the complainant…backing away and punching her in the jaw,'' Carell said.
Freeman was called out by a blow from Esparragoza. She suffered a broken nose and bruises to her face and neck, prosecutors said.
Freeman told the Post that he suffered amnesia as a result of the attack and could not remember anything about it.
“I was very surprised because they explained to me what had happened and there was nothing I could have done about it,” she said.
Esparragoza's attorney, Mariah Martinez, said her client suffers from mental health and substance abuse issues that continue to be “unaddressed” despite his recent arrest.
Prosecutors said Esparragoza had one previous conviction for attempted assault after he struck a stranger who wouldn't let go of his bicycle.
Esparagoza was arrested Thursday in connection with the Upper West Side attack and could face up to three years in prison if convicted of the top charge, second-degree assault.
Manhattan Judge Melissa Lewis acknowledged during Friday's hearing that Esparagoza needs mental health treatment, but called the charges “egregious” before setting bail.
He is scheduled to appear in court again on October 9th.
