Story by Ethan
On January 30th, 2026, the arrest of Jonathan Velez, age 45, was announced by Queens District Attorney Melinda Katz. Jonathan Velez was charged with first and second-degree Assault and first-degree Reckless Endangerment. The arrest and charges against Jonathan Velez were a result of an investigation handled by the Queens District Attorney’s Office.
According to theQueens District Attorney’s Office, at approximately 4:10 a.m. on August 2nd, 2025, both Jonathan Velez and the victim, 39-year-old Manuel Rivera, were driving home in the victim’s car from a birthday party. Around 17 minutes later Jonathan Velez, who was operating Manuel Rivera’s car, parked the vehicle in Ozone Park, New York, on Rockaway Boulevard. After the vehicle was stationary the two of them ended up in a verbal argument, later transforming into a physical altercation. Allegedly Jonathan Velez punched Manuel Rivera, the impact of the hit knocking the victim onto the paved road. The defendant then rummaged through Manuel Rivera’s pockets and his vehicle before fleeing from the scene. Due to being unconscious, Manuel Rivera was left lying in the road for several minutes before he was run over by an unrelated vehicle passing through. The victim was transported to a local hospital to be treated for lost teeth, a fractured skull, and internal bleeding all from the impact. Manuel Rivera was last reported to be remaining unresponsive while still in the hospital.
The Queens District Attorney’s Office stated that the charges against Jonathan Velez are merely accusations, and the defendant is presumed innocent unless proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
