Arsonist who set sleeping subway rider on fire 5 ½ year federal prison sentence
A man who set fire to a sleeping subway rider last year was sentenced Tuesday to 5 years in federal prison.
Hiram Carrero, 19, boarded the 3 train at Penn Station when he "picked up a piece of paper and used it to set fire to a man asleep on the train," court documents say.
He then stepped back onto the platform as the doors closed, "leaving the victim locked inside the car to burn as the train departed."
Surveillance images released in court documents show the victim completely alone and burning in the subway car. The victim was still covered in flames when he exited the subway car at Times Square, the next stop. Surveillance footage showed him sitting on the platform with flames rising from his upper legs.
"Setting fire to another person is a breathtaking, horrific, and unconscionable crime," said U.S. Attorney Jay Clayton in prepared remarks. "Thanks to first responders and the women and men of the NYPD and the FDNY, the victim's life was saved, and a horrific tragedy was averted.
Carrero previously pleaded guilty to arson on March 5. In addition to his 66-month prison sentence, the New York City native was sentenced to three years of supervised release and ordered to pay restitution.
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