SUFFOLK COUNTY, N.Y. – Wilfredo Figueroa, a 29-year-old resident of Ridge, has been sentenced to 15 years in prison and five years of post-release supervision after pleading guilty to robbery and criminal possession of a weapon. District Attorney Raymond A. Tierney announced the sentence, stating that Figueroa shot a 27-year-old man in the face during a robbery.

The severity of Figueroa’s crimes, including the gratuitous violence employed, led to the substantial prison sentence. District Attorney Tierney emphasized that the sentence not only holds Figueroa accountable for his actions but also contributes to a safer Suffolk County.

The investigation revealed that on June 22, 2022, Figueroa robbed the victim and shot him in the face, leaving him in critical condition. Figueroa then fled the scene and returned to his residence. The victim was hospitalized and placed in a medically induced coma due to the severity of his injuries.

Later that day, Figueroa was pulled over by the police for a traffic violation. During the stop, law enforcement discovered two illegal loaded handguns and two high-capacity magazines in Figueroa’s possession. They also found the victim’s personal belongings, including his identification, car keys, cellphone, and credit cards, in Figueroa’s vehicle, leading to his arrest.

After the victim emerged from a coma, a bullet fragment removed from his neck was determined to be from one of the handguns recovered from Figueroa’s vehicle. On July 25, 2023, Figueroa pleaded guilty to robbery in the first degree and criminal possession of a weapon in the second degree.

On October 10, 2023, Figueroa was sentenced to 15 years in prison followed by five years of post-release supervision by Supreme Court Justice John B. Collins. The prosecution of this case was led by Assistant District Attorney Patrick E. Fedun, with assistance from Suffolk County Police Detectives Brian Whitehead and Gregory Marino.

This conviction and sentencing serve as a reminder that criminal complaints and indictments are accusatory instruments, and defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty. The Suffolk County District Attorney’s Office remains committed to upholding the law and ensuring the safety of the community.

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