Man Gets 21-Plus Years For Fatal Machete Attack In Valley Stream: DA

NASSAU COUNTY, NY — A man was sentenced Friday to more than 20 years in prison for fatally striking a man with a machete inside of a 24-hour laundromat in Valley Stream in March 2023, Nassau County District Attorney Anne Donnelly announced.

Roberto Velasquez, 32, who is homeless, pleaded guilty on Jan. 31 to first-degree manslaughter. He was sentenced to 21-and-a-half years in prison.

"Roberto Velasquez's violent outburst nearly a year ago to the day cost Michael Oliver his life," Donnelly said in a news release. "Michael fought for 10 days in the hospital, and despite the extraordinary efforts of medical staff, he succumbed to his extensive injuries. Velasquez will now serve decades in prison paying for his appalling crime."

Around 2:10 a.m. on March 14, 2023, Velasquez, and several others, were inside the 24-hour Laundry Palace on Merrick Road in Valley Stream, the DA said.

Velasquez was seated in a chair next to Oliver, 58 years old, officials said. The two got into an argument, leading Velasquez to get up from of his chair, reach for a duffel bag, and hit Oliver with the bag, authorities said. A large machete fell out of the bag, prosecutors said.

Velasquez grabbed the machete and swung it at Oliver twice in the back, paused, and hit him once more on the back of his left leg just above the knee, officials said. Oliver then fell to the ground, bleeding profusely, the DA said. Velasquez grabbed his duffle bag and the machete and left the laundromat, authorities said.

Oliver was taken to North Shore University Hospital - Manhasset and required emergency surgery. Though he survived the surgery, Oliver suffered damage to major organs because of the blood loss and an infection and was placed on life support. He died 10 days after the slashing.

Velasquez was arrested by detectives with the Nassau County Police Department’s 5th Squad on March 14, 2023, in Lynbrook, officials said.

Velasquez was represented by Alan Schwartz.