A New York City immigrant accused of punching two police officers in Times Square claimed in court Friday that he is afraid of going to jail because he has received “numerous death threats” online. The lawyer said that.
Yeoman Rebellon, 24, a Venezuelan immigrant, appeared in court on Friday for his role in the assault of two New York City Police Department (NYPD) officers in late January. Rebellon's lawyer asked Chief Judge Ruth Pickholz whether the immigrant, who had received “numerous death threats on social media regarding this incident,” could be released without bail to protect herself. I asked please. according to to the New York Post. (Related: New York State Pledges More than $2 Billion to Help Urban Migrant Crisis)
“Frankly, they are afraid to come to court,” Rebellon's lawyer said of immigrants and their families.
Pickholz reacted negatively, citing Leveron's criminal history during his year in the United States, the New York Post reported.
“It's clear that Mr. Rebellon has been here for a year now and has already had two run-ins with the law: petty theft and assault,” the judge said before setting Leveron's bail at $100,000. Ta. “And he continued to investigate this case while he was out on his supervised release. Therefore, bail is appropriate at this time.”
NEW: One of the immigrants who allegedly punched an NYPD officer in Times Square is now worried *he* will be assaulted.
That's ridiculous.
A lawyer for Venezuelan immigrant Yeoman Rebellon told the judge that he has “received numerous death threats on social media regarding this case.” pic.twitter.com/ciA1pY61dj
— Collin Rugg (@CollinRugg) February 17, 2024
The outlet said Rebellon had been arrested at least twice in the year he had lived in New York City, prior to his recent run-in with authorities. In late 2023, the Venezuelan immigrant reportedly punched and bit a store employee after trying to steal pants from Nordstrom Rack in November. Additionally, just before Christmas, Leveron allegedly tried to steal a coat and suitcase, then got into another altercation with a Macy's employee and punched the employee in the face, the NY Post reported. .
Rebellon is was indicted Along with six other illegal immigrants in connection with a February 8 New York City police shooting. Rebellon was charged with two counts of second-degree assault and one count of second-degree obstruction of government. On the night of the incident, Jan. 27, the Venezuelan immigrant allegedly grabbed, pulled and threw two police officers, according to the indictment.
The altercation sparked an online backlash after four of the arrested immigrants were held without bail and then quickly released. The other four immigrants were released on bail Friday, with bail procedurally set from $1 to $100,000. All suspects have pleaded not guilty.
Patrick Hendry, chairman of the Police Benevolent Association (PBA), said in response to the court's ruling: “We have said from the beginning, from the time these people were arrested, they should be behind bars and never be. He should not have been released.” . “The prosecutor in this case should have asked for bail. The judge should have kept them in jail. But they were still allowed back on the streets to wreak havoc. Today, for the second day, our criminal justice system has done its job.”
“All of these people are in prison, where they belong. We will continue to go to court and make sure those who assault New York City police officers are behind bars,” he continued. Ta. “The criminal justice system needs to continue to do its job. We did it for the second day in a row. We need to do that and send a message to all New York City police officers: “We have your back.'' Yes. We need them to send a message that they support us.”
