LI Gang Member Pleads Guilty In'Brutal Attack' On Autistic Teen: DA

SHIRLEY, NY — A Bloods gang member from Bellport pleaded guilty Thursday to a brutal attack on an autistic teen in Shirley in 2021, Suffolk County District Attorney Ray Tierney said.

Miguel Ruiz, 29, pleaded guilty to first-degree burglary, Tierney said.

According to court documents, on May 7, 2021, at about 3:37 a.m., Ruiz, who was armed with a gun, and accomplices kicked in the front door of a Shirley home while a family and their 18-year-old autistic son were inside sleeping.

The family was forced to lie face down on the floor at gunpoint while the crew rummaged through their home, Tierney said. Ruiz pistol whipped the teenager, causing lacerations to his face, because "he did not respond quickly enough to his commands," Tierney said.

The group fled with a small amount of money and the teenager's cell phone, Tierney said.

Ruiz, whose guilty plea was heard before Supreme Court Justice Timothy P. Mazzei, is expected to be sentenced to 10 years in prison, followed by five years of post-release supervision, on September 26, Tierney said.

“The defendant took away this family's sense of security by entering their home and assaulting them while they were asleep,” said Tierney. “We want to make sure that no other family has to ever go through anything like this again by holding Mr. Ruiz responsible for his actions.”

In addition to Ruiz, others were charged for their participation in the crime, Tierney said.

Donte Thomas, 24, pleaded guilty to three counts of first-degree burglary and
one count of second-degree burglary; he was sentenced to nine years in prison, Tierney said.

Brayan Medrano, 19, pleaded guilty to one count of second-degree attempted burglary and is pending sentence, Tierney said.

Gregg Hogan, 37, was convicted after a jury trial of three counts of first-degree burglary and one count of second-degree burglary and is pending sentence, Tierney said.

Ruiz is being represented by Christopher Brocato; Brocato did not immediately respond to a request for comment.