Repeat Offenders Continue to Haunt NYC Transit
It’s unsettling, to say the least. Roma Gonzalez was apprehended at a Union Square metro station on April 9 for allegedly exposing himself to a woman on the platform. This isn’t a one-time incident; he’s been arrested 32 times since 1983 for similar offenses.
Despite his lengthy history, the 67-year-old was back on the streets just a week after his arrest.
According to police sources, repeat offenders like Gonzalez significantly contribute to the surge in sex-related crimes on the city’s subway and buses. One frustrated NYPD detective questioned, “How have you managed to stay out here since 1983?”
In 2025 alone, 213 individuals have been taken into custody for sexual crimes in transit. Of those, 52 have multiple prior offenses.
While the NYPD is stepping up efforts to ensure the safety of public transportation, there’s a clear call for prosecutors and courts to take action to break this cycle of repeat offenders. It’s worth noting that major transit crimes have seen a 3% drop this year.
Gonzalez’s criminal history is extensive, beginning with a weapon possession charge at 25 years old. Since then, he’s faced numerous charges, including theft and threats, but has never served jail time in New York.
His troubling history includes arrests for sexual offenses as recent as 2016, for an incident of public indecency on the G-line. Amazingly, a young woman recorded him in action, but sadly, the case ended up sealed with no further information released.
Just earlier this year, on February 23, he struck again, this time on the N-Train in Manhattan, prompting another arrest on March 18. Once again, he managed to walk away with just a ticket.
Another case involves a 27-year-old man named Tsui, who has been in and out of the system for persistent sexual abuse. He was arrested in June for allegedly abusing a 17-year-old girl during a parade. The unsavory details included the girl saying she felt something—only to find Tsui behind her, exposing himself.
With the evidence provided by the victim, Tsui was caught and found to have a box cutter on him, leading to additional charges. However, he gained release shortly after, with bail set at $10,000 cash or $30,000 in bonds. He pleaded guilty to persistent sexual abuse and is awaiting further sentencing.
In a troubling twist, he faced a new sexual abuse charge in September, accused of exposing himself on multiple trains. Despite being convicted of forced touching, yet again, the case was dismissed for being unfit for trial.
Another individual, Dexter Betancourt, 37, was seen trying to kiss a stranger’s feet while waiting for a train on June 18. After exposing himself, he escaped to the northbound L train but was soon charged with forced contact. With nearly 20 prior arrests, Betancourt’s pattern is alarming.
In 2013, he had choked a woman and recently was involved in another assault a year ago. There are strong opinions among law enforcement that repeat offenders should face harsher penalties.
As one police source explained, “We’re doing everything we can by having more officers on the train. But it ultimately comes back down to the courts. They need to take these public offenses seriously and enforce longer sentences.”
