Staten Island Man Held Following Arrest In Unprovoked UWS Assault

UPPER WEST SIDE, NY — Hansel Esparragoza, a 37-year-old Staten Island man charged with felony assault in connection with a September 13 attack on an 81-year-old West Sider, Guela Levi Freeman, appeared in a Manhattan courtroom on Friday afternoon.

The attack was one of two assaults involving elderly West Siders on Friday, Sept. 13.

If convicted, Esparragoza faces up to 3 years in prison, according to officials.

'Extensive' Criminal History

Esparragoza has 7 prior failures to appear in court, prosecutors said, and an “extensive” and “extremely concerning” criminal history that includes 7 misdemeanors and 1 felony charge — and reportedly as many as 21 prior arrests.

These include a robbery charge and a recent indecent exposure charge, the latter in connection with an incident in which Esparragoza is accused of exposing his genitals and calling out to a passerby who was out with her children, prosecutors said.

Prosecutors recommended bail of $75,000 cash or $225,000 bond.

An attorney for Esparragoza noted that he has suffered from mental health and substance abuse issues for the “majority of time he has been in contact with the criminal justice system.”

“If he continues to not address these problems, this is what happens,” Esparragoza’s attorney added.

Although Esparragoza graduated from high school, he has never worked and subsists on Supplemental Security Income (SSI) benefits, his attorney said.

Esparragoza hung his head throughout the back and forth.

Bail Set

In addition to his extensive criminal history, Esparragoza was placed on supervised released in connection with another incident in July, Judge Melissa Lewis noted, and “never came back to court.”

“Therefore, I do think cash bail is appropriate,” she concluded.

Bail was set at $75,000 cash or $225,000 bond, in line with prosecutor's recommendations.

Despite her injuries, Freeman has previously said she hopes her attacker receives treatment, not jail time. “It was not against me,” she told Fox 5, “he’s sick.”

Esparragoza is due back in court later in October.