A young thug got 10 years prison — and a lecture from an angry judge — for pumping two bullets into an off-duty cop during a Wild West-like shootout in The Bronx two years ago.
Det. Nelson Vergara — a former Marine sergeant who served two tours in Iraq — narrowly escaped death after confronting a group of hooligans who had hurled a bottle at him at outside the cop’s Phelan Place apartment.
Vergara had identified himself as a cop, but Joseph Baez, 23, opened fire anyway into the officer’s left shoulder and right shin.
Amazingly, Vergara still managed to shoot Baez once in the side and then handcuff him.
“You should have known that you don’t get a gun and shoot someone [for throwing bottles at you].” Bronx Supreme Court Justice Troy Webber told Baez.
“Detective Vegara is lucky that he was not killed,” the judge said.
Defense attorney Stacey Richman had asked for nine years prison.
“Mr. Baez’s regret about what happened that evening is a demonstration of poor choices, alcohol, drugs…a statement to the foolishness of youth.” Richman said.
The lawyer asked that Baez receive counseling and treatment as part of his sentence, saying that he had been treated for behavioral and emotional issues from a very young age.
“His remorse is complete,” she told the judge. “He had no intention of injuring an officer because that was beyond his knowledge. … He wishes to stay on the right path. He now has a child, he has a future before him.”
Prosecutors had asked for 15 years prison.
“He expressed no statement of remorse [during questioning after the shooting]. But for Detective Vergara’s heroic actions this would have been a homicide case.” Baez’s gun was never found.
When the judge asked Baez if he had anything to say before sentencing, he mumbled, “I just never been through that situation. I want to say sorry to the families and to my family, and thank the court for being lenient towards me.”
A soft-spoken Vergara said afterwards, “I’m just glad it’s over with. That’s all. My family and I can move on. I appreciate everyone coming out here and the support of my fellow officers and the DA.”