Homeowner was kicked and stomped after confronting illegal car meetup

Queens, NY — A Far Rockaway man who joined a group attack on a Malba homeowner and punched the man’s wife when she tried to intervene has been sentenced to 4½ years in prison.

Justin Aguilera, 20, pleaded guilty last month to second-degree gang assault and was sentenced Wednesday by Queens Supreme Court Justice Toni Cimino. He will also serve five years of post-release supervision, according to the Queens District Attorney’s Office.

Illegal car meetup spills onto homeowner’s lawn

The attack happened around 12:40 a.m. on Nov. 23, 2025, after a homeowner on 11th Avenue in Malba heard cars spinning their tires and creating smoke outside his property.

Prosecutors said at least 10 people had gathered near the home during an illegal car meetup.

The homeowner went outside with his wife and told the group to leave. Several people then moved onto the lawn and surrounded him.

One person threatened to kill him before the homeowner was punched and knocked to the ground.

Victim kicked and stomped on ground

Aguilera and others then punched, kicked and stomped the man while he was down, prosecutors said.

When the victim’s wife tried to protect him, Aguilera punched her in the mouth.

The homeowner suffered multiple rib fractures, a fractured right shoulder and other injuries.

Aguilera fled the area after the attack.

Traffic stop helped identify suspect

About three hours later, Aguilera was stopped near Union Turnpike and Utopia Parkway for traffic violations.

Prosecutors said he was driving the same vehicle seen leaving the Malba scene and was wearing clothing that helped investigators identify him in surveillance video.

He was later arrested in December for his role in the attack.

Aguilera had initially been indicted on an 11-count case that included first-degree gang assault, first-degree assault and riot charges. He ultimately pleaded guilty to second-degree gang assault.

Additional information is available through the Queens District Attorney’s Office and the New York State Unified Court System.

More New York crime coverage can be found through Shore News Network’s New York and Crime pages.

Key Points

• Justin Aguilera, 20, was sentenced to 4½ years in prison for second-degree gang assault.
• Prosecutors said he joined an attack on a Malba homeowner and punched the man’s wife.
• The homeowner suffered broken ribs and a fractured shoulder.