BRONX MAN SENTENCED TO COMMUNITY SERVICE AND PROBATION FOR ASSAULTING HOSTOS COMMUNITY COLLEGE SECURITY OFFICER DURING STUDENT PROTEST

Bronx District Attorney Robert T. Johnson announced today that Criminal Court Judge Catherine Bartlett sentenced Miguel Malo, 35, to ten days of community service and three years probation for assaulting a security guard at Hostos Community College during a student protest in August 2001. The People had recommended a sentence of thirty days in jail. In addition to the community service and probation, the judge also ordered Malo to complete a course in Anger Management.

A jury, on October 24, 2005, found Malo guilty of Assault in the 3rd degree and Disorderly conduct, both misdemeanor offenses.

Malo was President of the Student Senate when the crime occurred. The charges against him were filed following a student protest at the college on August 15, 2001 when he kicked a uniformed security officer in the groin while resisting arrest. Malo was found guilty of “recklessly causing physical injury to another person” and of “disturbing a lawful assembly or meeting without lawful authority.” He had been part of a larger group of students who were distributing leaflets urging students not to register for classes. The students were protesting budget cuts that affected the school’s bilingual and Spanish programs. When Malo left an area that had been set aside for protesters and attempted to disrupt the registration process, he was arrested after ignoring repeated warnings to leave.

The case is being prosecuted by Assistant District Attorney Terry Gensler.