BREAKING: Victor Perez, the president of the Dominican House of Hazleton, has just pleaded no contest to serious assault charges, including aggravated assault and making terroristic threats. The plea comes in response to allegations that Perez shot the owner of a local Spanish-language newspaper, who had been depicting his family as corrupt in published caricatures.
The incident occurred during a confrontation outside 145 S. Vine St. on the afternoon of October 4, 2023. Prosecutors allege that Perez, aged 62, shot Bernardo Perez, the owner of El Periodiquito, in an act of retribution for the negative portrayal of his family, including caricatures labeling him as a thief and his relatives as “The Diabolical Family.” Bernardo Perez sustained permanent injuries to his left wrist due to the shooting.
In a plea deal accepted by Luzerne County Judge Michael T. Vough, Victor Perez agreed to plead no contest to a felony count of aggravated assault, while prosecutors dropped additional charges against him. Sentencing is set for February 5, 2024, at 10 a.m.
The terroristic threat charge stems from a separate incident on September 16, 2023, at El Sabor De Mi Tierra restaurant, where Victor Perez allegedly threatened a woman while brandishing a firearm. Prosecutors confirmed that they would allow Perez to apply for the Intermediate Punishment Program, aiming to rehabilitate primarily non-violent offenders, despite previous concerns about his eligibility.
This urgent legal development highlights the significant impact of media portrayal on personal lives and the extreme reactions it can provoke. As the case unfolds, the community watches closely for the upcoming sentencing and its implications for both Perez and local journalism.
Stay tuned for more updates on this developing story.
