NEW YORK CITY, NY - Yohenry Brito, who was captured on video and appeared to instigate the assault of two NYPD officers in Times Square, was in court earlier this week.
According to NYPD officials, Brito, 24, an illegal immigrant, is the individual seen on security video footage on January 27 wearing a yellow jacket and refusing the officer’s commands to clear the walkway. A physical altercation then ensued involving Brito and other migrants, leading to punches and kicks being hurled at the officers.
Brito was arrested but was freed after a Brooklyn pastor posted the $15,000 bail.
Brito's court appearance this week was a hearing for the suspect to explain to the judge where last week’s bail money originated from, as it appeared that Brito had no close ties to the community and no clear means of access to that amount of cash in such a short amount of time.
PBA President Patrick Hendry told the press, "It's mind-boggling that anyone would want to try to release this dangerous individual who was the main ringleader out of this whole gang assault on our police officers. He was arrested multiple times. What makes anybody think that he's going to behave on the streets of the city of New York?"
Brito is no stranger to the law. He currently has two open cases for shoplifting and previously pleaded guilty to disorderly conduct. He was indicted last week on second-degree assault and has since been held on another $15,000.
This current case has caught the attention of immigration advocates, dozens of whom appeared in court as a show of support for Brito.
Sergio Uzurin is one of those advocates, who told the press, “To cast doubt on bail funds, which is every American's right to have access to, it is a very very dangerous precedent. The defendant is very interested in returning to court."
There is also concern from immigration advocates that ICE may be able to expand its powers. However, since New York is a sanctuary city, ICE is prevented from working with NYPD and other city agencies due to the current law framework.
"We do not want this case to be used by any politicians, regardless of party, to call for ICE to cooperate with the city or to invite them into the city in any way," Uzurin told the press.
Brito and his co-defendants are scheduled to appear in court for the assault on April 2nd.
Writer Eddie Molina is a veteran and former LEO with over 25 years of combined service. He now owns and operates the apparel company buyherostuff.com
According to NYPD officials, Brito, 24, an illegal immigrant, is the individual seen on security video footage on January 27 wearing a yellow jacket and refusing the officer’s commands to clear the walkway. A physical altercation then ensued involving Brito and other migrants, leading to punches and kicks being hurled at the officers.
Brito was arrested but was freed after a Brooklyn pastor posted the $15,000 bail.
Brito's court appearance this week was a hearing for the suspect to explain to the judge where last week’s bail money originated from, as it appeared that Brito had no close ties to the community and no clear means of access to that amount of cash in such a short amount of time.
PBA President Patrick Hendry told the press, "It's mind-boggling that anyone would want to try to release this dangerous individual who was the main ringleader out of this whole gang assault on our police officers. He was arrested multiple times. What makes anybody think that he's going to behave on the streets of the city of New York?"
Brito is no stranger to the law. He currently has two open cases for shoplifting and previously pleaded guilty to disorderly conduct. He was indicted last week on second-degree assault and has since been held on another $15,000.
This current case has caught the attention of immigration advocates, dozens of whom appeared in court as a show of support for Brito.
Sergio Uzurin is one of those advocates, who told the press, “To cast doubt on bail funds, which is every American's right to have access to, it is a very very dangerous precedent. The defendant is very interested in returning to court."
There is also concern from immigration advocates that ICE may be able to expand its powers. However, since New York is a sanctuary city, ICE is prevented from working with NYPD and other city agencies due to the current law framework.
"We do not want this case to be used by any politicians, regardless of party, to call for ICE to cooperate with the city or to invite them into the city in any way," Uzurin told the press.
Brito and his co-defendants are scheduled to appear in court for the assault on April 2nd.
Writer Eddie Molina is a veteran and former LEO with over 25 years of combined service. He now owns and operates the apparel company buyherostuff.com
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The opinions reflected in this article are not necessarily the opinions of LET
Comments
2024-02-24T22:37-0500 | Comment by: elaine
Do not deport him he will just come back as he has been, Put him in a nice 6 by 9 foot cell with no windows and where he is allowed out one hour a day for the next 50 years, maybe the jerk will learn there you do not mess with us and if any judge lets this scum bag go hold that person responsible for any crime this POS commits
2024-02-25T13:37-0500 | Comment by: Timothy
Do not deport him - Put him down. He is a career criminal who needs to be put down for good!