D.A. Bragg Announces Sentencing In Stabbing Of Building Maintenance Employee During Wellness Check

Manhattan District Attorney Alvin L. Bragg Jr. today announced the sentencing of CIRUS CID-MEJIA, 46, to 7 years in state prison for stabbing a building maintenance employee who was conducting a wellness check on his roommate in Harlem in June 2021. On November 14, 2024, CID-MEJIA was convicted by a New York State Supreme Court jury of one count each of Attempted Assault in the First Degree and Assault in the Second Degree.

"Cirus Cid-Mejia brutally stabbed a building maintenance employee who was assisting social workers in a court ordered wellness check on a 61-year-old tenant," said District Attorney Bragg. "These workers were only trying to do their jobs and assist in the protection of a vulnerable New Yorker. We will not stand by when hardworking Manhattanites are attacked. I hope the victim continues to heal from the assault."

As proven at trial, on June 17, 2021, two social workers were accompanied by the building staff of an apartment building on Saint Nicholas Avenue in Harlem to conduct a court ordered wellness check on a 61-year-old tenant with a history of mental illness. Prior attempts to check on the well-being of the 61-year-old man over the previous year had mostly been unsuccessful due to his roommate, CID-MEJIA, preventing access to the apartment.

One visit to the apartment in July 2020 revealed that the 61-year-old man appeared to be sleeping in the closet of the studio apartment while CID-MEJIA had full control over the rest of the apartment, despite not being listed as an authorized tenant on the lease or paying rent. That visit and other concerns prompted social workers to seek a court order to access the apartment and speak with the 61-year-old.

On June 17, 2021, when a building maintenance employee knocked on the door of the apartment, CID-MEJIA answered and was immediately informed by the social workers that they had a court order authorizing entry into the apartment. Despite being repeatedly informed of the court order, CID-MEJIA refused to permit any entry into the apartment and argued for at least ten minutes with the building maintenance employees and social workers.

At one point, CID-MEJIA threatened that he would kill anyone who entered the apartment, and one of the social workers called 911.

While 911 was being called, CID-MEJIA threw a cooking pot at the building maintenance employee that nearly struck him. CID-MEJIA ran into the kitchen to get a knife and charged at the building maintenance employee while swinging a kitchen knife. CID-MEJIA then stabbed the building maintenance employee in the stomach before the employee was ultimately able to get control of CID-MEJIA's arm, causing him to drop the knife. CID-MEJIA then slammed the door shut and remained inside the apartment until police arrived.

The victim was transported to Harlem Hospital and received stitches for a puncture wound to his stomach. The 61-year-old roommate was found in shock and was also transported to the hospital for medical care.

Assistant D.A.s Jonathan Carfagno (Trial Bureau 40) and Catherine Maranga (Trial Bureau 40) handled the prosecution of this case under the supervision of Assistant D.A. Jeanine Launay (Chief of the Elder Abuse Unit) and Executive Assistant D.A. Lisa DelPizzo (Chief of the Trial Division).

D.A. Bragg thanked the NYPD, particularly Officer Jeremy Stumer of the 30th Precinct.

Defendant Information:

CIRUS CID-MEJIA

New York, NY

Convicted:

• Attempted Assault in the First Degree, a class C felony, one count
• Assault in the Second Degree, a class D felony, one count

Sentenced:

• 7 years in state prison

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