Felix Rojas, 44, received the maximum sentence Wednesday in a New York court after pleading guilty to charges stemming from the April 2025 incident. Upon release, Rojas will face an additional 15 years of strict post-release supervision.

The Transit Crime

According to prosecutors, the incident occurred aboard a northbound R train where 37-year-old Jorge Gonzalez had lost consciousness and died from an unrelated medical episode. Transit surveillance footage captured Rojas noticing the unresponsive passenger, targeting him, and sexually abusing the body. Court documents state that Rojas also ransacked the deceased man`s pockets during the assault.

Rojas evaded transit police for nearly three weeks before surrendering to authorities. He turned himself in only after the New York Police Department publicly released surveillance images of the suspect, though he initially denied the allegations during police interrogation.

Immigration and Systemic Fallout

Following the sentencing, federal immigration authorities confirmed that Rojas is a Mexican national with a prior record of multiple unlawful entry attempts into the United States.

The depravity of the crime has reignited intense public scrutiny regarding safety, emergency response times, and the adequacy of camera monitoring within New York City’s sprawling subway system.

Family Remembers Victim

The victim, Gonzalez, had resided in the United States for nearly two decades. Speaking outside the courtroom, devastated family members described him as a deeply devoted father and an industrious provider. They noted he consistently worked grueling hours across the construction, restaurant, and service industries to financially sustain his family back home in Mexico.