Prior Felon Sentenced For Assaulting 2 Police Officers In Suffolk; Weapon Possession: DA

SUFFOLK COUNTY, NY — A Miller Place man was sentenced to 25 years to life in prison after he was found guilty of assaulting two Suffolk County police officers and possession of an illegal handgun in Bellport in 2022, Suffolk County District Attorney Raymond Tierney announced Thursday.

Matthew Esposito, 50, of Miller Place, was sentenced to 25 years to life in prison.

"We will not tolerate attacks on those who protect and serve," Tierney said in a news release. "Today's sentencing sends a clear message that our streets belong to law abiding citizens, not to criminals who disregard our laws and attack police officers who are working to keep our communities safe."

On Sept. 9, 2022, the Suffolk County Police Department responded to the report of a shooting at the Bellport train station, the DA said. Two officers assigned to the Emergency Services Section of the police department attempted to find the shooter, officials said.

The officers spotted Esposito coming out of the woods about a block south of the train station, authorities said. Esposito then hid behind a car that was parked on the shoulder of the road, prosecutors said. The officers got out of their truck to investigate and found a pistol under the car, right where Esposito was hiding, investigators said. When they tried to arrest Esposito, he resisted and attacked the officers, officials said.

Both officers suffered injuries but were able to take Esposito into custody, the DA said. One officer sustained a concussion, cut to the head, and a torn quadricep muscle, authorities said. The other officer broke three bones in his wrist, suffered a torn ligament in his wrist, and a sprained shoulder, prosecutors said.

The officers recovered a high-capacity magazine from Esposito's pocket while arresting him, officials said. The pistol that the officers found under the vehicle was loaded with an additional high-capacity magazine which was identical to the magazine found in Esposito’s pocket, investigators said.

Esposito was convicted April 2 on charges of one count of second-degree criminal possession of a weapon; one count of third-degree criminal possession of a weapon; two counts of third-degree criminal possession of a weapon as a violent felony; two counts of second-degree assault; and one count of resisting arrest.

In 1993, Esposito was convicted and served time in prison for criminally negligent homicide and
third-degree criminal possession of a weapon. In 1998, less than four years after his release, Esposito was convicted a second time and charged with first-degree assault and five other felonies for which he served 12 years in prison.

On Thursday, Justice Timothy Mazzei determined Esposito to be a persistent felony offender and sentenced him to 25 years to life in prison.

Esposito was represented by Christopher Ross. Ross did not immediately respond to Patch's request for comment.