UPDATE: Victor Perez, president of the Dominican House of Hazleton, has just pleaded no contest to charges of aggravated assault and making terroristic threats following a violent incident that left a local newspaper owner injured. The plea was accepted on February 5, 2024, by Luzerne County Judge Michael T. Vough, who scheduled sentencing for the same date.
The charges stem from a confrontation that occurred on the afternoon of October 4, 2023, outside 145 S. Vine St. Prosecutors allege that Perez, 62, shot Bernardo Perez, owner of the Spanish-language newspaper El Periodiquito, in retaliation for critical caricatures depicting his family as corrupt. Among these caricatures were images labeling Victor Perez as a thief and branding his relatives as “The Diabolical Family.”
The shooting resulted in significant injuries to Bernardo Perez’s left wrist, drastically impacting his life. Authorities report that the two men are not related, despite sharing the same last name. Victor Perez initially claimed self-defense, arguing that Bernardo Perez was armed with a knife during the altercation.
Additionally, the terroristic threat charge against Victor Perez arose from an incident on September 16, 2023, where he allegedly threatened to kill a woman while brandishing a gun at El Sabor De Mi Tierra restaurant on Alter Street.
In light of his no contest plea, the court has allowed Victor Perez to apply for the Intermediate Punishment Program, which is aimed at rehabilitating primarily non-violent offenders. Prosecutors have agreed to waive any ineligibility he may have for this program, while he remains free on bail until his sentencing.
This case highlights the intersection of personal conflict and public sentiment, raising concerns about the safety of journalists and the implications of violence tied to freedom of expression. As the situation unfolds, community members and advocates are closely monitoring the outcomes of the upcoming sentencing and its ripple effects on local media and politics.
Stay tuned for further updates as this developing story continues to impact the Hazleton community.
