Queens, NY – A Far Rockaway man has pleaded guilty to participating in the brutal beating of a Malba couple who confronted a group of trespassers gathered outside their home during an illegal street takeover last year.
Justin Aguilera, 19, pleaded guilty to second-degree gang assault in Queens Supreme Court for his role in the Nov. 23, 2025, attack, Queens District Attorney Melinda Katz announced.
Homeowners attacked after confronting illegal car meetup
According to prosecutors, the violence erupted at approximately 12:40 a.m. on 11th Avenue in Malba, where multiple vehicles were spinning their tires and filling the area with smoke during an illegal car meetup.
A homeowner, accompanied by his wife and carrying a baseball bat, went outside to ask a group of at least 10 people gathered near his property to leave.
- Attack occurred during an illegal street takeover in Malba.
- Defendant pleaded guilty to second-degree gang assault.
- Sentencing is scheduled for Sept. 23.
Prosecutors said six to eight members of the group advanced onto the couple’s lawn. One individual allegedly threatened the homeowner, saying, “I’ll pop you. I’ll put you six feet under. You’re not hard.”
Authorities said the group surrounded the homeowner before he was punched to the ground.
Wife assaulted while trying to help husband
According to the indictment, Aguilera repeatedly punched, kicked and stomped the homeowner while he lay on the ground.
When the victim’s wife attempted to intervene and push the attackers away from her husband, Aguilera allegedly punched her in the mouth before fleeing the scene with the group.
The male victim suffered multiple broken ribs, a fractured right shoulder and other injuries during the assault.
Approximately three hours later, at 3:53 a.m., Aguilera was stopped by police near the intersection of Union Turnpike and Utopia Parkway for several traffic violations. Prosecutors said the clothing he was wearing matched surveillance video from the earlier assault, leading to his identification and eventual arrest.
Queens District Attorney Melinda Katz condemned the attack.
“This defendant participated in a chaotic, illegal street takeover in a quiet neighborhood,” Katz said. “When a homeowner asked him to leave, Justin Aguilera ruthlessly pummeled the man on his lawn and then attacked the victim’s wife when she attempted to intervene.”
Aguilera is scheduled to return to court on Sept. 23, when he is expected to receive a sentence of 4½ years in prison under the plea agreement.
What charges did Justin Aguilera plead guilty to?
Aguilera pleaded guilty to second-degree gang assault in connection with the attack on the Malba homeowners.
Where did the assault occur?
The attack occurred outside a home on 11th Avenue in Malba, Queens, during an illegal street takeover and car meetup.
What injuries did the homeowner suffer?
A Far Rockaway man admitted participating in a violent attack on a Malba couple who confronted an illegal street takeover outside their Queens home and now faces a 4½-year prison sentence.
Photo Caption: Justin Aguilera pleaded guilty to gang assault after prosecutors said he attacked a Malba homeowner and his wife during an illegal street takeover in Queens.
Sources: Queens District Attorney’s Office
