D.A. Bragg Announces Final Prison Sentence In Gunpoint, Home Invasion Robbery Of Woman And Her Grandchild

Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg, Jr., today announced the sentencing of JUSTIN TORRES, 32, to 20 years in state prison for the gunpoint, home invasion robbery of a 56-year-old woman and her 5-year-old grandson in their Harlem apartment. On June 4, 2026, a New York State Supreme Court jury convicted TORRES of Burglary in the First Degree, Robbery in the First Degree, Robbery in the Second Degree, Burglary in the Second Degree and Endangering the Welfare of a Child.

On July 31, 2025, co-defendant JOSHUA GOMEZ, 35, was sentenced to 4 ½ years in state prison for his role in the gunpoint robbery. He previously pleaded guilty to Robbery in the Second Degree.

"Justin Torres and Joshua Gomez armed themselves to commit an extremely brazen, targeted attack on a woman and her young grandchild," said District Attorney Bragg. "The impact of this crime goes beyond the items that were stolen. This horrific act of gun violence took place at the victims' home, undermining their sense of security where they deserved to feel safest. With this sentence, the final defendant has been held accountable, and I hope the victims can feel a sense of justice."

As proven at trial, and as admitted in GOMEZ's guilty plea, on October 9, 2024, at approximately 12:30 a.m., TORRES and GOMEZ arrived at an apartment building, near West 118th Street and Manhattan Avenue in Harlem, in TORRES' vehicle. They entered the building, knocked on the victims' apartment door and pushed their way inside when the woman answered, each displaying a firearm.

The defendants held the victims at gunpoint and demanded to know the location of the safe. They then searched the apartment and stole several items, including a safe, cash, jewelry, passports, and the woman's cell phone.

TORRES and GOMEZ left the apartment and fled to TORRES' apartment building while in possession of the stolen items. TORRES was arrested on October 30, 2024, and GOMEZ was arrested on November 25, 2024.

Assistant D.A.s Danielle Turcotte and Aryan Ahmadian handled the prosecution of this case under the supervision of Assistant D.A. Nicole Blumberg (Chief of Trial Bureau 40) and Executive Assistant D.A. Lisa DelPizzo (Chief of the Trial Division). Trial Preparation Assistant Alexandra Wechser (Trial Bureau 40), Senior Investigative Analyst Anissa Weisel (Trial Bureau 40) and former Trial Preparation Assistant Laila Skramstad provided invaluable assistance in the case.

D.A. Bragg thanked the New York City Polie Department (NYPD), particularly Detective Alexis Gaton of the Central Robbery Division, and the members of the Central Robbery Division, Manhattan Robbery Squad, and 28^th Precinct Patrol and Detective Squad.

Defendant Information

JOSHUA GOMEZ

Bronx, NY

Convicted:

• Robbery in the Second Degree, a class C felony, one count

Sentenced:

• 4 ½ years in state prison

JUSTIN TORRES

Bronx, NY

Convicted:

• Robbery in the First Degree, a class B felony, four counts
• Burglary in the First Degree, a class B felony, two counts
• Robbery in the Second Degree, a class C felony, two counts
• Burglary in the Second Degree, a class C felony, one count
• Endangering the Welfare of a Child, a class A misdemeanor, one count

Sentenced:

• 20 years in state prison

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