Controversial Soft-On-Crime Policies Keep Alleged NYC Serial Stabber Out of Jail

An alleged serial stabber with dozens of busts under his belt was freed without bail — twice — because of a loophole in New York’s justice laws that leaves prosecutors with little time to secure indictments against dangerous criminals.

Dylan Maldonado, 26, a reputed member of the Bloods street gang, was busted in two separate assaults last month near his Midtown apartment and initially ordered held on bail in both cases, at the request of prosecutors.

Dylan Maldonado

But prosecutors in Bragg’s office weren’t able to put together their cases and present them to a grand jury to nail indictments against Maldonado in the 144 hours required under state statutes — allowing him to be released.

The career criminal’s bail was tossed in both cases, allowing him to walk out of jail, after prosecutors with Bragg’s office hit snags, according to sources and court records.

{snip}

He is suspected in at least two other similar attacks in Manhattan since Jan. 1 — and has dozens of prior busts in recent years, law-enforcement sources said.

{snip}

Shortly after midnight on May 9, Maldonado — who is described in court papers as having “a tattoo of an AK47 firearm on his face” — is accused of stabbing one victim at the intersection and punching another “multiple times” before displaying a knife.

{snip}

Maldonado was charged with second-degree assault and ordered held on $10,000 bail at his arraignment two days later, court records show.

But on May 13, the case still had not been presented to a grand jury and a judge cut him loose.

A week later, Maldonado was arrested again near the same intersection, this time for allegedly hitting a passing cyclist and stabbing him in the right thigh, sending the victim to Bellevue Hospital, according to court documents.

Maldonado was charged with second-degree assault and criminal possession of a weapon and ordered held on $20,000 bail.

He was freed without bail on June 6, however, after the same law triggered his release.

{snip}