A South Jamaica man who set out to rob a prostitute on a summer night in 2021 faces two decades in prison for gunning down a Long Island man.
Edson Giron Figueroa, 21, of 108th Avenue, pleaded guilty to manslaughter in the first degree before Queens Supreme Court Justice Kenneth Holder in the fatal shooting of Albert Serrato of Elmont, Queens District Attorney Melinda Katz announced Tuesday, Feb. 28.
According to the charges, at around 2:40 a.m. on July 24, 2021, Giron Figueroa walked to a commercial building on 150th Street near 105th Avenue in Jamaica, looking to rob a prostitute at gunpoint. Giron Figueroa sat on some concrete blocks and observed a man dressed in women’s clothing with a beard and a wig, according to the criminal complaint. Giron Figueroa approached the victim Serrato from behind, pointed the gun at him and said, “Give me the money.”
When Serrato turned around, the defendant allegedly fired the gun several times. Giron Figueroa only remembered pulling the trigger once, but it went off multiple times, according to the charges. He didn’t take anything because it happened so fast and after he saw the man dressed in women’s clothes fall to the ground he ran away, according to the complaint.
Giron Figueroa later asked a friend to dispose of the gun.
EMS responded to the scene and transported Serrato to Jamaica Hospital Medical Center, where he was pronounced dead.
”By pleading guilty, the defendant admitted responsibility for ending a man’s life during a craven robbery attempt,” Katz said. “I hope this resolution brings closure for the victim’s family.”
Justice is expected to sentence Giron Figueroa on March 21 to 20 years in prison and five years of post-release supervision.
