You are reading

Homeless Man Sentenced to 8 Years in Prison for Anti-Gay Slashing in Jackson Heights: DA

Ramon Castro was sentenced to 8 years in prison Tuesday for assault as a hate crime. The incident took place on the corner of 77th Street and Roosevelt Avenue in July 2021. (Photos: NYPD and GMaps)

Sept. 28, 2022 By Christian Murray

A homeless man was sentenced to eight years in prison on hate crime charges Tuesday for slashing a man’s face during a bias attack in Jackson Heights last year.

Ramon Castro, 56, who pleaded guilty earlier this month to assault as a hate crime, confessed to slashing a 34-year-old man across the face with a sharp object at around 3:10 a.m. on July 8, 2021, near a taco stand at the intersection of Roosevelt Avenue and 77th Street.

Castro, who is from the Bronx, yelled at the victim: “I hate Latinos and f.ggot people,” then cut the 34-year-old across his left cheek and fled the scene on the subway. The victim had just ordered food at the taco stand.

The victim required numerous stitches to treat his facial wound at Elmhurst Hospital.

“Hate-motivated attacks will never be tolerated in Queens County, where we pride ourselves on our rich cultural diversity,” said Queens District Attorney Melinda Katz in a statement. “In pleading guilty earlier this month, the defendant accepted responsibility for violently assaulting a man based on his appearance and he has now been sentenced to prison as punishment for his criminal actions.”

Castro’s prison sentence is to be followed by 5 years of post-release supervision.

email the author: news@queenspost.com

3 Comments

Click for Comments 
Sara Ross

If he’s homeless, that’s not a sentence. That’s a vacation. Free room and board, 3 meals a day, activities. What a joke our justice system is and the lawyer and judges running it.

3
1
Reply
Javier

He hates Latinos and gay people eh??
The name “Ramon Castro” doesn’t sound very Caucasian so I’m sure he hates himself too. Any person who hates people for no reason definitely hate themselves even more.

6
3
Reply

Leave a Comment
Reply to this Comment

All comments are subject to moderation before being posted.

This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.

Recent News

Hard Rock CEO outlines vendor opportunities for $8B Metropolitan Park casino project

May. 2, 2025 By Shane O’Brien

Hard Rock International Chairman and CEO Jim Allen addressed hundreds of Queens-based vendors and small business owners Thursday morning at the Queens Theatre, outlining how they could play a key role in shaping the proposed $8 billion Metropolitan Park casino and entertainment complex near Citi Field—if the project is awarded one of the three downstate gaming licenses up for grabs later this year.

Beyond brunch: Unique ways to celebrate Mother’s Day in Queens

May. 2, 2025 By Jessica Militello

With Mother’s Day just over a week away, there’s still plenty of time to plan something meaningful in Queens to celebrate the special women in your life. While brunch or dinner is always a classic choice, there are also unique and memorable ways to mark the occasion with family and friends. From candle-making workshops and floral arranging classes to beer tastings and hands-on crafting, here are some fun and heartfelt ways to celebrate Mother’s Day right here in the community.