N.Y. Couple Faces Trial In Sesame Place Mask Attack

LANGHORNE, PA — A New York couple accused of attacking a teen Sesame Place employee who asked them to wear masks has been ordered to stand trial on charges including aggravated assault.

The 17-year-old suffered a broken jaw and had to undergo surgery after the Aug. 9 attack at the theme park in Langhorne.

On Thursday, a district judge in Bucks County ruled that Troy McCoy, 39, and Shakerra Bonds, 31 — both of the same address in Bronx, N.Y. — will face aggravated assault and related charges in Bucks County Court of Common Pleas.

Both appeared before Judge John J. Kelly, Jr. on Thursday, McCoy by video and Bonds in person. Kelly ruled that there is enough evidence for the case to proceed.

According to a police report, the teen was working on Aug. 9, when he reminded McCoy he should be wearing a mask due to the park's coronavirus policies. McCoy got mad and started screaming and the teen walked away, according to police.

Hours later, the employee ran into McCoy and Bonds at another ride. McCoy got off of the ride and threatened to "teach the employee a lesson," authorities said. During the confrontation, both McCoy and Bonds struck the teen in the face, knocking him to the ground.

While he was on the ground, the teen lost consciousness and McCoy put him in a headlock, according to the police report. A second employee tried to help and Bonds elbowed her in the face, it said.

According to the affidavit, several witnesses described the initial attack on the teen as a "sucker punch."

Middletown Township Police and the Bucks County District Attorney's Office investigated the attack and McCoy was arrested at his home by U.S. Marshals. Bonds later turned herself in to police in the case.

McCoy is charged with aggravated assault, reckless endangerment, simple assault, harassment, disorderly conduct and criminal conspiracy. Bonds is charged with simple assault, harassment, disorderly conduct and criminal conspiracy.

McCoy remains in Bucks County Correctional Facility, being held on $500,000 bail.

According to family members the 17-year-old employee underwent double surgery on his jaw after the attack and had a tooth removed. An online fundraiser in August raised more than $40,000 to help with his treatment and recovery.