The Bronx District Attorney has dropped all charges against State Sen. Luis Sepúlveda who, as reported, was charged with allegedly attempting to choke his estranged wife at his West Farms home on Jan. 9, 2021.

As reported, according to the NYPD, officers from the 48th Precinct were called to Sepúlveda’s home on Daily Avenue on Jan. 9, when the 56-year-old senator and his 40-year-old, estranged wife accused each other of assault. Sepúlveda later surrendered to police, and according to the criminal complaint obtained from the Bronx District Attorney, was charged with assault in the 3rd degree, criminal obstruction of breathing, and harassment.

 

At the start of 2021, Sepúlveda was considered among the front-runners for the position of Bronx borough president, but later lost some support.

 

As reported, Assemblywoman Nathalia Fernández (A.D. 80) and District 14 City Councilman Fernando Cabrera, who were also running for the same seat, called for Sepúlveda’s resignation, along with other elected officials and candidates such as then-candidate for District 11 City Council, Eric Dinowitz. Fernández tweeted, at the time, “Unfortunately, this is not the first time allegations of domestic violence have been brought against Sen. Sepúlveda. We need leadership that empowers women.”

 

Sepúlveda was stripped of his title as chair of the Senate Committee on Crimes, Crime Victims and Corrections, following his arrest.

The senator, who lost his father, Caleb Sepúlveda, at the end of August, has not announced what his future plans are for when his term ends at the end of 2022, and he leaves his $110,000 a year position.

 

As reported, on Monday, Feb. 15, 2021, Rev. Ian Harris announced in a campaign video that he was looking to become the next state senator of the 32nd senatorial district, the seat held by Sepúlveda.

 

Attempts to reach Sepúlveda’s estranged wife who, it is believed, may be living in Florida, proved unsuccessful.

As reported, October marks Domestic Violence Awareness month. The 52nd precinct in the Bronx which covers Bedford Park, Fordham, Kingsbridge, Norwood, Bronx Park, and University Heights registered 1,978 calls from victims of DV who were in need of assistance over the course of 2020. It was the same number in 2019. The 22nd precinct in Manhattan recorded 19 calls in 2020. The 52 also recorded one of the highest numbers in terms of DV offenders per precinct, at 1,094.

 

The Office of the Bronx District Attorney is holding the 4th, annual 5K Run / Walk / Roll on Saturday, Oct. 16, to end domestic violence. See attached flyers for details.

New York State’s Domestic and Sexual Violence Hotline is available 27/7: 800-942-6906 (call), 844-997-2121 (text) or @opdv.ny.gov (chat). Last year, the state and local hotlines received 252,535 calls for assistance.

Safe Horizon (and other nonprofits) also operate 24-hour hotlines (lláme para ayuda). Call 1-800-621-HOPE (4673). If you are in immediate danger, call 911. 

*Síle Moloney contributed to this story.