HOMELESS MAN CONVICTED OF POSSESSING EXPLOSIVES, ASSAULTING A POLICE OFFICER AND OTHER OFFENSES

Bronx District Attorney Robert T. Johnson announced today the conviction of a homeless, former soldier in the Hungarian army on multiple counts of possessing explosives and other dangerous weapons. Zsolt Racz (aka George Buko), 32, also was convicted of assaulting a New York City Police Officer.

Racz pled guilty to five counts of Criminal Possession of a Dangerous Weapon in the 1st degree, six counts of Criminal Possession of a Weapon in the 3rd degree, Criminal Possession of a Weapon in the 2nd degree, Assault in the 1st and 2nd degrees, Assault on a Police Officer and Attempted Escape in the 1st degree.

Acting State Supreme Court Justice Steven Barrett set sentencing for Thursday, September 11, 2003 in Part M60. Racz will be sentenced to a term of eight years imprisonment on the condition that he not contest deportation after he has served his time in state prison. He remained in the United States illegally after his application for asylum was rejected.

Racz was arrested on March 2, 2002 while riding a bicycle in Co-op City at the intersection of Co-op City Boulevard and Bellamy Loop. His behavior had aroused the suspicion of New York City Police Officers who approached Racz to question him. Racz, who was wearing a green camouflage body vest, attempted to flee but was unsuccessful. He was found to be in possession of a non-functioning .380 caliber Mac-10 semi automatic weapon that was loaded with ten live rounds. A second magazine containing twenty two live rounds was recovered from the body vest. An additional twenty six live rounds of .380 caliber ammunition were found in the defendant’s knapsack. A loaded .38 caliber revolver was retrieved from Racz’ waistband and fourteen live rounds for the handgun were found in his pockets. Also recovered were two live hand grenades, three live homemade explosive devices, a metal knuckle knife with a four and a half inch blade, and a second knife with a fourteen inch blade.

Following his arrest, Racz was taken for observation to Jacobi Hospital’s Emergency Room where he assaulted a police officer and grabbed the officer’s service revolver in an attempt to escape from custody.

Assistant District Attorney Todd Sherman of the Investigations Division’s Rackets Bureau is prosecuting the case.