STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. — A Virginia man who authorities said stabbed a Good Samaritan and attacked another man in the St. George Ferry Terminal four months ago has earned himself a trip to a New York state prison.
Eric Shields, 47, faces three years behind bars after pleading guilty on Wednesday to felony assault stemming from the June 27 episode.
Shields also goes by the name Jared H. Benton, said court papers.
The events unfolded around 8:40 p.m.
Dylan Spinosa, then 20, told the Advance/SILive.com he and his friends had exited the ferry when they encountered a man who was harassing women.
Spinosa said the man, who authorities identified as Shields, was holding a souvenir cup and appeared intoxicated.
“Any girl he’d walk by, he was saying that in order for girls to get by they have to sell their nudes online. Sell their bodies for money,” Spinosa said.
Shields zeroed in on one woman who was “practically begging him to stop,” said Spinosa.
He told her “how he would do things sexually to her,” Spinosa said.
Spinosa and a 30-year-old male bystander intervened, at which point police say Shields punched the man in the face and body.
Spinosa said he put Shields into a headlock and assumed the fight was over. But after letting go, he said he was attacked from behind.
A criminal complaint said Shields stabbed Spinosa in the back, leaving him with a broken scapula and a laceration.
“I didn’t really believe I got stabbed,” Spinosa said. “I was ready to get on the bus and leave to go home.”
Shields was indicted on felony charges of attempted first-degree assault, second-degree assault, third-degree criminal weapon possession and attempted second-degree assault.
He was also accused of misdemeanor counts of menacing, assault and criminal weapon possession.
Shields pleaded guilty to second-degree assault to satisfy all charges against him.
Besides prison time, he will be sentenced on Nov. 17 in state Supreme Court, St. George, to five years’ post-release supervision.
In the meantime, he is being held without bail.
“Mr. Shields is very remorseful for his actions, and he takes full responsibility,” said defense lawyer Yan Katsnelson. “While incarcerated, he is taking measures to make sure he comes out a better person.”
District Attorney Michael E. McMahon said the plea ensures Shields will be held accountable for his actions.
“This defendant committed a terrible act of violence in the ferry terminal, our borough’s most important public place,” said McMahon in a statement. “The well-being of all who travel on the ferry is of paramount importance, and we will continue to work with the Ferry Security Unit to make the trip as safe as possible.”
The D.A. praised the “great work” by police in locating and nabbing Shields and of Assistant District Attorneys Nick Agostino and Antonia Assenso in prosecuting the case.
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