Bronx Man Sentenced for Multistate Crime Spree Involving Kidnapping, Assault, and Arson

NEWARK, N.J. – Luis Figueroa, 42, of Bronx, New York, was sentenced today to 516 months in prison for a crime spree that spanned multiple states, including the kidnapping and sexual assault of his former girlfriend, assaulting a federal employee, setting fire to a used car dealership, and ramming police vehicles before being apprehended, U.S. Attorney Philip R. Sellinger announced.

Figueroa was convicted in May 2022 of kidnapping, criminal sexual abuse, possession of a firearm in furtherance of a crime of violence, and assaulting an employee of the United States. He had previously pleaded guilty to possession of a firearm by a previously convicted felon and arson.

On June 6, 2014, Figueroa, armed with a shotgun, assaulted his ex-girlfriend and her pregnant sister in Hazleton, Pennsylvania. He then kidnapped his former girlfriend, taking her across state lines to New Jersey, where he sexually assaulted her at the Kittatinny Point Visitor’s Center on federal property.

After assaulting a National Park Service employee, Figueroa fled to Paterson, New Jersey, where he set fire to a used car dealership. He led law enforcement on a high-speed chase, ramming into police vehicles before being arrested.

In addition to the prison term, Figueroa was sentenced to five years of supervised release. U.S. Attorney Sellinger praised the collaborative efforts of multiple agencies in the investigation and prosecution of the case.

According to court documents filed in this case and the evidence at trial:

On the morning of June 6, 2014, Figueroa, armed with a shotgun, waited outside the Hazleton, Pennsylvania, apartment of his former girlfriend. When she emerged from the apartment, Figueroa struck the victim in the face with the shotgun and said: “I told you I was going to kill you.” Figueroa then proceeded to physically assault both the former girlfriend and her sister, who, at the time, was eight months pregnant. As Figueroa attacked the women, another family member took Figueroa’s and the ex-girlfriend’s young child into a bedroom to shield the child from the violence.

After struggling with the pregnant woman and causing her to fall down a flight of stairs, Figueroa collected the shotgun from the apartment and led his former girlfriend to a red SUV, where he forced her into the backseat. Figueroa then drove the victim across state lines to New Jersey. Figueroa eventually stopped at the Kittatinny Point Visitor’s Center, which is located on federal property, and sexually assaulted his former girlfriend.

After the assault, the victim convinced Figueroa to dispose of the shotgun. When Figueroa went to do so, the former girlfriend climbed into the driver’s seat of the red SUV and drove away to safety.

After returning and discovering both his former girlfriend and the red SUV were no longer there, Figueroa approached a National Park Service employee, and led the employee to a nearby storage room, where he slammed the victim’s head against a door and threatened to harm the victim if he did not hand over the keys to his car. The employee complied and Figueroa fled the scene in the victim’s car.

Figueroa drove to Paterson, New Jersey, where he entered a used car dealership operated by a person with whom Figueroa had a business relationship. Figueroa asked an employee for a portable gas canister, which he filled shortly thereafter at a nearby gas station, and then returned to the dealership and doused the office with gasoline. After a brief struggle with an employee, Figueroa ignited a match and set the building on fire, engulfing the structure in flames and setting himself on fire in the process. Figueroa then fled the scene in another vehicle.

Law enforcement officers spotted Figueroa’s vehicle driving erratically towards the George Washington Bridge heading into New York. Figueroa ignored officers’ commands to stop, leading to a high-speed chase in which Figueroa rammed his vehicle into multiple police vehicles, injuring a police officer. Figueroa then got out of his vehicle and fled on foot. Officers placed Figueroa under arrest shortly thereafter.

U.S. Attorney Sellinger emphasized the need to protect communities from violent criminals like Figueroa, who deliberately engaged in a premeditated crime spree. Sellinger also expressed appreciation for the cooperation and assistance of numerous law enforcement agencies that contributed to the successful investigation and prosecution of the case.

Luis Figueroa, 42, of Bronx, New York, was sentenced to a 516-month prison sentence and five years of supervised release for his crimes.