A serial transport offender with approximately 230 arrests is back in the spotlight, facing new troubles after four recent arrests this past month, according to law enforcement.
Officials report that 37-year-old Michael Wilson claims that about 90% of the crimes in the subway system can be linked to him.
It’s said he provided false information about himself to an officer who arrested him.
Wilson’s latest arrests include one on May 25, where he was found lying across multiple seats in a Brooklyn subway car, police stated.
Earlier, on May 12, he was reported for allegedly smoking crack cocaine at a location on Riverside Drive and 104th Avenue on the Upper West Side, where officers later discovered him below the stairs, sources indicated.
Another incident occurred on May 6, when he was accused of smoking crack on a moving train in Harlem, according to police.
In each of these cases, Wilson was released. This cycle isn’t new for him; earlier this year, he drew frustration from NYPD Chief of Transit Michael Kemper, who expressed his discontent with the justice system’s handling of repeat offenders.
Kemper remarked, “If there was a Hall of Fame for Metro Criminals—this guy would be the first to join,” reflecting a growing frustration over the management of habitual offenders.
Alongside these remarks, Kemper noted a particular incident from February 2 where Wilson, ordered to exit at West 34th Avenue and Seventh Avenue, resisted arrest by flailing his arms. Police found multiple Metro cards in his possession, including a student card.
After that event, sources mentioned that the Manhattan District Attorney’s office opted not to prosecute him, citing “the interest of justice.”
Kemper challenged this approach, questioning whose justice was truly being served—protecting the rights of a repeat offender or ensuring a safe subway experience for everyday commuters.
A spokesperson from Bragg’s office responded, emphasizing the commitment to holding offenders accountable while maintaining collaboration with law enforcement to reduce transit crime.
Historically, before the recent incidents, Wilson faced several arrests earlier in January, showcasing a consistent pattern of criminal behavior.
Arrested for the first time in 2004, Wilson’s total arrests exceed 230; however, many have been sealed, leaving around 170 that remain open.
Of those, 135 arrests were felonies, but he was only convicted of felonies four times, including a violent crime, per sources. His criminal record also includes over 30 bench warrants for failing to show up in court, demonstrating a lengthy history with the justice system.
