A 23 YEAR-OLD BRONX MAN IS SENTENCED FOR ASSAULT

Bronx District Attorney Robert T. Johnson announced today that a 23 year-old Bronx man has been sentenced to a term of 17 years imprisonment for slashing a 33 year-old man across the face.

Paul Colon, of 2160 Seward Avenue, was found guilty, earlier this month, of Assault in the 1st degree, a class "B" felony, for slashing Adriano Mendez in November 2001. Colon was sentenced by Acting State Supreme Court Justice Barbara Newman.

The assault took place during the early morning hours of November 9, 2001, when Colon, a patron at a gentlemen’s club at 673 Hunts Point Avenue, became agitated when a dancer asked Colon for a tip after dancing for him. Colon refused to tip the dancer and demanded that his admission money be refunded. Mendez, who worked at the door, informed the defendant that he could not have a refund because of the length of time that he had already spent in the club. Colon became boisterous and was asked to leave. When Mendez turned his head to summon security, Colon slashed him across the left side of his face then fled. The victim has permanent scarring requiring plastic surgery.

Colon is also awaiting trial on two unrelated cases here in Bronx County for Robbery in the 1st degree, and Assault in the 1st degree and one case in Florida for Felony assault.

Assistant District Attorney Troy A. Smith prosecuted this case.