Manuel Estabon, 43, pleaded guilty in Putnam County Court to attempted first-degree assault following a late night attack with a knife that left the driver bloodied and sent him to the hospital. Estabon had been facing an attempted murder charge before pleading guilty.
New York State Police investigators received a call at approximately 2:45 a.m. on Feb. 11 from the taxi driver, who reported that he had been assaulted with a knife. Investigation into the incident found that the driver had been driving Estabon to a bank to obtain payment for the ride.
Before reaching the bank, investigators said that Estabon - who had been living in Brewster - assaulted the driver with a knife, leaving him with wounds to his face, neck and hands. Estabon attempted to flee the scene, but was tracked down in a nearby wooded area.
Estabon was first charged with a felony count of first-degree assault, and criminal possession of a weapon, a misdemeanor. He was later indicted on felony charges of attempted second-degree murder and second-degree assault, as well as a misdemeanor weapons charge. He is scheduled to be sentenced on Aug. 1, when he is expected to be sentenced to five years in prison. Estabon is also facing deportation. Estabon remains remanded to the Putnam County Jail in lieu of $150,000 bail.
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