NEW JERSEY MAN IS SENTENCED FOR HIS ROLE IN A GANG RELATED ASSAULT

Bronx District Attorney Robert T. Johnson announced today that a 20 year-old New Jersey man has been sentenced to 7 years imprisonment for a gang related slashing.

Claudio Carino, of 414 Stockton Avenue, Roselle N.J. was convicted last July of Assault in the 1st degree for the early morning attack on Juan Vargas, 27, that left him permanently scarred. In addition to the 7 year prison sentence, State Supreme Court Justice David Stadtmauer ordered the defendant to complete 2 ½ years of post release supervision.

Carino was charged with acting in concert with others in the slashing which occurred at the corner of 138th Street and Willis Avenue, on January 20, 2002 around 4:15 AM. As the victim walked along 138th Street, the group surrounded him and slashed a 14" x 7" X across his face. Police Officers from the NYPD Street Crime Unit observed the assault and apprehended the defendants a short distance away.

Co-defendant Daniel Salas, 22, of 347 East 138th Street, was convicted earlier this month of Criminal possession of a weapon in the 4th degree, a class "A" misdemeanor offense. Salas, who was in prison for a year while awaiting trial, was sentenced to time served. Three other co-defendants were acquitted.

Assistant District Attorney Lisa Mattaway of the Major Case Bureau prosecuted this case.