Dad Gets Max Of 20 Years In Jail For Slashing Teen At Oaks Expo

OAKS, PA — A New York man was sentenced Thursday in Montgomery County Court to six to 20 years in state prison for slashing a 14-year-old in the neck with a box cutter at a youth basketball tournament at the Greater Philadelphia Expo Center in the Oaks section of Upper Providence Township.

Stanley Cruz Sr., of the Bronx, was convicted by a jury in February of stabbing 14-year-old Yusri Razzaq in the neck soon after watching his son, Stanley Cruz Jr., fighting with Razzaq at as youth basketball tournament in May 2021.

The victim got 26 stitches on his neck and three on his face, according to police.

Judge Risa Vetri Ferman also ordered Cruz to complete 250 hours of community service and participate in an anger management counseling program.

Assistant District Attorney Kelli McGinnis asked for a sentence of eight years in state prison.

Cruz’s lawyer, Brad Shuttleworth of Philadelphia, asked for a sentence of three to six years.

According to Upper Providence police:

• At 4:24 on May 1, police responded to a call for a brawl involving 20 people at a basketball tournament at the Greater Philadelphia Expo.
• During the game, two players, Stanley Cruz Jr. and Yusri Razzaq started fighting. Cruz grabbed Razzaq’s jersey, throwing two punches.
• The referee grabbed Cruz and pulled him away. Cruz’s father, Cruz Sr., then got a box cutter from his pocket. He walked around the crowd and was seen slashing toward the back of the head of a woman, but did not make contact.
• Cruz then went to another court where he stabbed the victim in the neck, shoulder, and face.