Man Pleads Guilty To Tying Up, Killing East Meadow Man In Motel

A Suffolk County man pleaded guilty on Wednesday to charges related to tying up and killing an East Meadow man inside a Hicksville motel room in 2016, according to Nassau County District Attorney Madeline Singas.

Vincent Dalton, 52, pleaded guilty to second-degree murder. He is expected to be sentenced to 23 years in prison on March 20.

“[Dalton] tied up and brutally murdered his 39-year-old victim in a Hicksville motel room, stole his credit cards, and tried to use one at McDonald’s,” Singas said in a press release.

On Nov. 19 2016, Erik O'Connell was found hog tied on the floor of a room inside the Econo Lodge, located at 429 Duffy Ave., by motel staff. Police determined he died from blunt force trauma to the head.

Dalton was arrested on Nov. 23, 2016 following an investigation. The weapon used to kill O'Connell was never found.

The DA says surveillance footage showed Dalton and O'Connell on Nov. 19, 2016 walking in and out of The Headliner Bar & Grill, located at 370 W. Old Country Road, together, which is located about half a mile from the motel.

Surveillance video also showed the men walking into the motel together at 11:45 p.m. on Nov. 18, 2016 and Dalton leaving by himself at 3 a.m. the next day with items belonging to O'Connell, the DA said. Dalton attempted to use O'Connell's credit cards at a McDonald's and a nearby deli in Brentwood, the DA said.

Image via NCDA