Man Convicted For 2019 Robbery, Murder In Nassau: DA

MINEOLA, NY — A Hempstead man has been convicted for a 2019 robbery and murder of a man who was sleeping in his car, prosecutors said.

Kadeem Lewis, 31, was convicted by a jury on Thursday of second-degree murder, first-degree robbery and second-degree robbery, Nassau County District Attorney Anne Donnelly said.

"Kadeem Lewis targeted a man asleep in his car, robbed him, and tragically ended Jose Sanchez-Velasquez’s life in the process," Donnelly said. "No one in Nassau County should ever have to fear they’ll become the victim of a violent assault simply sitting in their vehicle."

The jury deliberated for five days before delivering their verdict.

Donnelly said that in the overnight hours of November 25, 2019, Lewis and a co-defendant were walking around Hempstead looking for a house to burglarize. They encountered 33-year-old Jose Sanchez-Velasquez sleeping in the front seat of his vehicle with the engine running and the lights on, Donnelly said.

Lewis approached the driver’s side of the vehicle while his co-defendant opened the front passenger-side door and removed several cell phones. Lewis’ co-defendant then removed Sanchez-Velasquez from his vehicle. The victim screamed, and Lewis fired a single fatal gunshot into Sanchez-Velasquez’s chest, the D.A.'s office said.

Sentencing for Lewis is scheduled for Dec. 16. He faces a potential maximum of 25 years to life in prison, Donnelly said.