Man sentenced to five years for abusing corpse

Felix Rojas pleads guilty after surveillance footage showed him assaulting unresponsive passenger Jorge Gonzalez

A 44-year-old Brooklyn resident, Felix Rojas, was sentenced Wednesday to five years in prison for sexually abusing the body of a deceased passenger aboard a Manhattan subway train, a case that has renewed scrutiny of safety on New York City’s transit system.

Rojas pleaded guilty in New York Supreme Court to corpse abuse. The offence involved Jorge Gonzalez, 37, who lost consciousness and died on an R train in April 2025.

–Surveillance footage and confession–

Prosecutors told the court that surveillance video captured Rojas approaching Gonzalez after realizing he was unresponsive.

The footage also showed Rojas searching through the victim’s pockets during the incident.

About three weeks after authorities released still images from the video, Rojas surrendered to police. Court documents said he initially denied involvement when first questioned by investigators.

In addition to the five-year prison term, the judge ordered 15 years of supervised release to follow his incarceration.

–Victim remembered as devoted father–

Gonzalez, a Mexican national who had lived in the United States for nearly two decades, worked multiple jobs in construction and hospitality to support family members in Mexico. His family described him as a hardworking father devoted to providing for his loved ones.

–Defendant’s immigration history–

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Authorities said Rojas is also a Mexican national who had previously attempted to enter the United States unlawfully.

–Public reaction and transit safety concerns–

The case drew widespread public attention due to its disturbing nature and sparked renewed debate over safety, surveillance and oversight within the New York City subway system.

Transit officials said the incident underscores the need for faster emergency response protocols and better monitoring of passengers in distress.