Suffolk County, NY – Suffolk County District Attorney Raymond A. Tierney announced that Matthew Esposito, 50, of Miller Place, has been sentenced to 25 years to life in prison following his conviction for Criminal Possession of a Weapon in the Second Degree and other charges.
“We will not tolerate attacks on those who protect and serve,” said District Attorney Tierney. “Today’s sentencing sends a clear message that our streets belong to law-abiding citizens, not to criminals who disregard our laws and attack police officers working to keep our communities safe.”
The trial evidence revealed that on September 9, 2022, Suffolk Police responded to a shooting report at the Bellport train station. Two officers from the Emergency Services Section located Esposito emerging from the woods near the station. Esposito hid behind a parked car, where officers found a pistol. When they attempted to arrest him, Esposito resisted and attacked the officers.
Both officers sustained injuries during the arrest but managed to apprehend Esposito. One officer suffered a concussion, a head laceration, and a torn quadricep muscle, while the other broke three wrist bones, tore a wrist ligament, and sprained a shoulder. Officers recovered a high-capacity magazine from Esposito’s pocket, matching the one in the loaded pistol found under the car.
On April 2, 2024, Esposito was convicted by a jury before Supreme Court Justice Timothy P. Mazzei on the following charges:
- One count of Criminal Possession of a Weapon in the Second Degree (Class C violent felony)
- One count of Criminal Possession of a Weapon in the Third Degree (Class D felony)
- Two counts of Criminal Possession of a Weapon in the Third Degree (Class D violent felony)
- Two counts of Assault in the Second Degree (Class D violent felony)
- One count of Resisting Arrest (Class A misdemeanor)
Esposito has a prior criminal history, including a 1993 conviction for Criminally Negligent Homicide and Criminal Possession of a Weapon in the Third Degree. He was later convicted in 1998 of Assault in the First Degree and five other felonies, serving 12 years in prison.
Esposito’s sentence underscores the commitment to ensuring the safety of law enforcement officers and the community.