Jonathan Nunez, accused of nearly killing Suffolk County officer to escape arrest, pleads guilty
RIVERHEAD, N.Y. -- A Long Island man who nearly killed a police officer confessed to crimes Monday ranging from assault to driving while impaired.
The cop who survived the near-fatal stabbing was there to witness his guilty pleas.
With one word answers, 27-year-old Jonathan Nunez of Centereach accepted responsibility for nearly killing a Suffolk County police officer.
When asked if he pulled over in response to lights and sirens, Nunez said, "No, I did not."
It was an April night in 2021. Nunez admits he endangered others as he drove at excessive speeds without headlights on through Patchogue while high on methamphetamines.
He was spotted by Officer Chris Racioppo, who tried to pull him over. Nunez crashed into a car and then fled and plunged a knife into the officer's leg.
It was a deep wound that ruptured a main artery. Racioppo lost nearly all of his blood. He was saved by fellow officers and bystanders. After two weeks on life support he was heroically hailed.
On Monday, Racioppo appeared to fight back emotions in court seeing again the man who nearly took his life and many others' of the road.
"Countless. If I hadn't seen him driving that night and try to pull him over, I don't know what would have happened that night or the next night. He belongs behind bars," Racioppo said.
Amid a slow recovery, Racioppo is back on the job.
"I'm satisfied with the 16-year sentence," Racioppo said.
A plea deal offered by the judge. Nunez's attorney says the once-unemployed substance abuser was high on Adderall.
"It's used to focus kids in low doses. The dosage that he was taking he is hyped up. He's super aggressive. Fight or flight kicked in and he made the mistake of his life," defense attorney Christopher Brocato said.
Nunez plans to apologize directly to the officer at sentencing.
"He knew what he did was wrong. He did not want to put the police officer through a trial," Brocato said.
Since the near-fatal attack, Racioppo has been promoted to the rank of sergeant, and received an even more special promotion -- he's now a father of two.
Sentencing is scheduled for March 13.