L.I. man sentenced for deadly 2023 machete attack in a Valley Stream laundromat

Roberto Velasquez, who pleaded guilty to slashing a man with a machete in a Long Island laundromat last year, was sentenced Friday by a Nassau County Judge to 21 years and 6 months in prison.

Crime Scene: Deadly attack took place at Laundry Palace, late at night.Photo byC.J. Teevan

The sentence comes one year to the day of the incident inside Laundry Palace on Merrick Road in Valley Stream.

Velasquez was 30 years old when he was arrested by Nassau County Police in the early hours of March 14, 2023, positively identified as the suspect wanted in the bloody, fatal attack at 2:09 a.m.

The injured man was rushed to a local hospital in critical condition.

Police caught Velasquez nearby and placed him under arrest. When he could not provide a legal address for his residence, they concluded he was homeless.

Nassau Correctional Center. Roberto Velasquez remains in custody here.Photo byC.J. Teevan

He was arraigned the next day in Nassau County First District Court and charged with Attempted Murder and Felony Assault. Court records indicate he pleaded Not Guilty. His court-appointed lawyer was 18B criminal defense attorney Alan Schwartz of Garden City.

Velasquez was remanded -- held without bail.

A 24-hour laundromat at 15 Merrick Road in Valley Stream was the scene of a machete attack in 2023.Photo byFlorian OlivoonUnsplash

After the victim died, the Attempted Murder charge filed by prosecutors under New York Penal Law 110-125.25 01 was upgraded to Murder.

Four months later, on July 14, 2023, Velasquez was produced again to be indicted before Judge Helene Gugerty on 1st Degree Murder and Assault charges.

Five months of plea offers from the District Attorney followed.

Finally, on January 31, 2024, Velasquez accepted an offer to plead Guilty to Manslaughter under New York Penal Law 125.20 01. In addition to 21 1/2 years behind bars, he accepted 5 years of "Post-Release Supervision" upon release plus fees and surcharges amounting to $375 total.

No motive was provided for the attack.

Roberto Velasquez in his mug shot.Photo byNassau County Police Mug Shot