Robert Ray, 35, was sentenced to the maximum seven years in prison after pleading guilty in May to second-degree assault for punching an MTA station agent at the 53rd Street/Lexington Avenue station in 2024. The victim was knocked to the platform and sustained a facial gash, bruises and swelling. Ray was sentenced on Aug. 7 in Manhattan Criminal Court; his punishment also includes five years of post-release supervision. Transit officials, union leaders and the victim attended the hearing.
Man Sentenced to 7 Years for Punching MTA Station Agent at 53rd St/Lexington Ave
Man receives seven-year prison sentence for attack on MTA station agent
A 35-year-old man has been sentenced to the maximum seven-year prison term after pleading guilty to assaulting a Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) station agent in 2024.
Robert Ray pleaded guilty in May to second-degree assault after prosecutors said he punched a female station agent as she walked toward a restroom at the 53rd Street/Lexington Avenue station. The agent was knocked to the platform and suffered a facial gash, bruises and visible swelling.
Sentencing
Ray was sentenced on Thursday, Aug. 7, in Manhattan Criminal Court. In addition to the seven-year prison term, the sentence includes five years of post-release supervision.
Reaction and Courtroom Presence
The station agent attended the hearing along with MTA Criminal Justice Advocate Stephen Boniberger, managers from New York City Transit, officers and members of Transport Workers Union Local 100.
"Today justice was delivered for a station agent who was assaulted while just doing her job cleaning a platform," NYCT President Demetrius Crichlow said in a statement. "I want to thank District Attorney Alvin Bragg and the NYPD as well as the Court for ensuring that this outrageous conduct received the maximum possible consequences under the law. Let this be a reminder that those who harm employees will be caught and will face consequences."
Local 100 President John Chiarello, at a post-sentencing news conference, said: "The damage that he did goes beyond physical. It's emotional, and it's never going to go away for her."
Chiarello added that many attackers appear to be struggling with mental-health issues and noted that the defendant had reported hearing voices. He and other officials said people who pose a danger in public should receive treatment and that accountability is necessary to protect transit workers.
The case underscores growing concerns about attacks on transit employees and the priority officials place on protecting frontline workers. Prosecutors, the NYPD and the court said the sentence reflects the seriousness of the assault and the need for consequences.
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