Bronx Man Sentenced to 18 Years in Prison for Assault and Weapon Possession After Shooting Two Men in Port Jefferson
Suffolk County District Attorney Raymond A. Tierney today announced that Alexander Castillo, 27, of the Bronx, was sentenced to 18 years in prison, following his trial conviction of Assault, Criminal Possession of a Weapon, and other related charges. Castillo had shot two men following a dispute at a Port Jefferson pool hall in December 2022.
“With this sentence, we want the public to know that we are holding perpetrators of violent crimes accountable,” said District Attorney Tierney. “The defendant attempted to settle a petty financial dispute with a gun but instead will be spending the next 18 years in prison.”
The evidence at trial established that on December 28, 2022, Castillo played pool for several hours at a pool hall in Port Jefferson. Over the course of the evening, Castillo placed wagers on each game which resulted in mounting financial losses. At approximately 7:05 p.m., Castillo left the pool hall and returned approximately three minutes later wearing a ski mask and hat and carrying a loaded firearm. Castillo attempted to take back his losses from his opponent by displaying the loaded firearm and demanding the money.
A struggle ensued where Castillo’s opponent and another male tried to wrestle the gun away from Castillo. When the struggle spilled out onto the street, Castillo shot one man in the groin area and shot a second man in the chest.
Castillo fled the scene before the police arrived. Both victims were taken to local hospitals and received emergency medical treatment for their injuries.
On February 10, 2023, members of the Suffolk County Police Department arrested Castillo in Manhattan.
On August 23, 2024, Castillo was convicted after a jury trial heard before Supreme Court Justice Richard Ambro for the following charges:
- Two counts of Criminal Use of a Firearm in the First Degree, Class B violent felonies;
- Two counts of Criminal Possession of a Weapon in the Second Degree, Class C violent felonies;
- One count of Criminal Use of a Firearm in the Second Degree, a Class C violent felony;
- Four counts of Assault in the Second Degree, Class D violent felonies;
- One count of Attempted Robbery in the Second Degree, a Class D violent felony;
- One count of Criminal Possession of a Weapon in the Third Degree, a Class D felony; and
- One count of Petit Larceny, a Class A misdemeanor.
On October 3, 2024, Justice Ambro sentenced Castillo to 18 years in prison followed by five years of post-release supervision. He was represented by Ian Fitzgerald, Esq.
This case was prosecuted by Assistant District Attorneys Melissa Turk and Ken Collado of the Violent Crimes Enterprises Bureau, and the investigation was conducted by Detective Martin Lupo of the Suffolk County Police Department’s Sixth Squad.
Criminal complaints and indictments are merely accusatory instruments. Defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty. No one is above the law.