Guilty Plea In Stabbing Of Suffolk Police Officer In Traffic Stop That Took Dangerous Turn

RIVERSIDE, NY —A Centereach man pleaded guilty on Monday to stabbing a Suffolk police officer almost two years ago during a near-deadly traffic stop in Patchogue, Suffolk prosecutors said.

Jonathan Nunez, 27, leaded guilty to aggravated assault of a police officer, first, second, and third- degree assault, as well as resisting arrest, reckless driving, leaving the scene of a motor vehicle accident with injury, and driving while impaired by drugs.

The charges stem from an April 10, 2021 traffic stop in which Officer Christopher Racioppo saw a vehicle being driven in an erratic manner with its lights off, on South Ocean Avenue around 10:30 p.m., prosecutors said, adding that when the officer turned his police cruiser's emergency lights on to try to get the vehicle to stop, Nunez sped away and he pursued him.

Nunez ended up crashing the vehicle into another at a high rate of speed, totaling both vehicles, and causing minor injury to the other driver, according to prosecutors. He then got out of his vehicle and, despite directives to stop from Racioppo, he ran away, and was chased into a backyard where he stabbed Racioppo in his upper left leg, severing his femoral artery, prosecutors said.

Witnesses and other officers restrained Nunez and rendered lifesaving aid to Racioppo, prosecutors said, adding that he was in extremely critical condition after losing nearly his entire blood supply. Racioppo was first taken to Long Island Community Hospital in East Patchogue and then later brought to Stony Brook University Hospital, prosecutors said.

After Racioppo was intubated, he underwent life-saving blood transfusions and surgery, according to prosecutors.

District Attorney Ray Tierney called the stabbing " yet another stark reminder of the dangers that our police officers face every day."

"This defendant admitted that he nearly killed a police officer who was merely conducting a simple traffic stop,” he said. “Fortunately, this officer did not lose his life, but he was seriously injured and had to undergo surgery and blood transfusions in order to stay alive, and all because he was just doing his job.”

Suffolk Police Benevolent Association President Noel DiGerolamo said the organization's leadership and membership are "pleased" to see Nunez's case resolved in a just manner.

"Rightfully, he will spend more than a decade behind bars," he said. "No sentence will make Officer Racioppo whole from his debilitating injuries, but we are thankful this violent person is off our streets. Police officers risk their lives every day for our communities and this is an example of the constant dangers they encounter.

"What happened emphasizes how dangerous the job is and how important it is that they do it,” he said.

Nunez's attorney, Christopher Brocato of Central Islip, told Newsday that his client pleaded guilty to so that Racioppo would not have to testify.

“It is an expression of his extreme remorse,” Brocato told the outlet. “He knew what he did was wrong. He did not want to put the police officer through a trial and have to make him got and testify before a jury and drag this out. He wanted to accept responsibility and he did accept responsibility.”

Nunez is due back in court on March 13, and is expected to be sentenced to 16 years in a state prison followed by five years of post-release supervision.

RELATED STORIES:

• Suffolk Cop Critically Injured In Stabbing
• Injured Suffolk PO To Throw Out 1st Pitch In Battle Of Badges
• LI Cop Stabbed During Traffic Stop Promoted