Jail Time For Thug Who Beat Cop

A 23-year-old Queens man, who was convicted earlier this year of stealing a Police Officer’s service weapon, has pleaded guilty to beating the officer with a baseball bat.

Danny Fernandez was found guilty on Jan. 29, 2009 of second-degree criminal possession of a weapon after a two-week jury trial before Acting Queens Supreme Court Justice Robert C. McGann. He was sentenced to 15 years in prison; however, the jury was unable to reach a verdict on three other felony charges: aggravated assault upon a police officer, first-degree assault and first-degree robbery.

Slight Increase in Sentence

Mr. Fernandez was retried on those charges, but that jury could not reach a verdict either. He was facing a second retrial when he pleaded guilty Sept. 21 to first-degree aggravated assault on a police officer and first-degree robbery. Justice McGann sentenced him to 16 years in prison on each of the charges and a one-year term for a guilty plea to perjury. The sentences are to run concurrent with the 15-year term he is presently serving.

“This case is a reminder of the demanding and dangerous challenges that police officers face each day in protecting the public,” Queens District Attorney Richard A. Brown said.

According to trial testimony, Mr. Fernandez approached uniformed Police Officer Joseph Cho in Jackson Heights at approximately 1:30 a.m. on Feb. 5, 2007. He knocked the officer to the ground after striking him once from behind with a baseball bat. Mr. Fernandez then struck him once more in the head and stole his gun and handcuffs.

Another officer gave chase and caught Mr. Fernandez with the gun and handcuffs. The bat was recovered at the scene.

Officer Cho, who was on the job just six weeks at the time, was treated for a fractured skull and concussion. T.H.