A New York woman will be spending over a decade behind bars after almost killing an elderly man with a straight razor nearly two years ago.
The Westchester County District Attorney's Office announced Thursday that Olivia Raimo, 30, was sentenced to 15 years in state prison after nearly killing a 74-year-old man she married to illegally obtain U.S. citizenship.
Raimo, a native of Jamaica and not a legal U.S. citizen, according to the office, pleaded guilty to the felony charge of attempted murder in the second degree.
The sentence also includes five years of post-release supervision.
Westchester District Attorney Miriam Rocah said in a statement in November that Raimo had pleaded guilty to the charge of attempted murder.
"Violent acts are particularly heinous when they target the elderly," Rocah said. "My office will continue to work with our partners in law enforcement to pursue justice for all vulnerable victims of crime."
The attempted murder occurred on January 24, 2020, in New Rochelle, New York, in the home of the victim she illegally married.
Authorities said that Raimo pushed the man and wedged him between the toilet seat and a wall. She then slit his wrist with a straight razor.
The situation was reported to the New Rochelle Police Department by the victim's home health aide, who had arrived but was denied entry by Raimo. When police arrived at the scene, they reportedly heard the victim screaming from the bathroom.
Following an investigation, New Rochelle Police arrested Raimo on February 11, 2020.
The victim was transported to Jacobi Hospital in the Bronx. He underwent two surgeries to reattach the tendons in his arm. However, the district attorney's office said the attack resulted in the victim losing all function in his hand.
Raimo and the victim reportedly married in 2017. The attempted murder occurred after she and the victim met with an attorney to prepare for an interview with the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services to demonstrate that their marriage was legitimate.
Authorities said that the pair were informed during the meeting "that they would have a hard time passing their marriage interview."
Raimo's case was presided over by Westchester County Court Judge Barry Warhit and prosecuted by Special Prosecutions Division Assistant District Attorney Charlotte Gudis.
Crimes related to illegal citizenship are under the jurisdiction of the FBI.
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