New Jersey Man Sentenced For Brutal Attack In National Park

PHILADELPHIA - Baldwin Centeno, 26, of Camden, New Jersey, was sentenced today to 57 months in prison for randomly beating a man, near Philadelphia’s Independence Hall, who was merely asking for assistance. On June 15, 2012, Centeno and his uncle, Santos Centeno, 47, were standing on 4th Street at National Independence Park when the victim approached them.  The victim’s car was missing and he was asking for help when Centeno and his nephew began beating him for no reason.  The victim suffered traumatic brain injuries, facial fractures, and other serious injuries for which he required hospitalization.  A jury convicted Centeno of assault resulting in serious bodily injury and assault by striking, beating, or wounding. Santos Centeno, who was convicted of an additional incident, will be sentenced May 5, 2014.

In addition to the prison term, U.S. District Court Judge Juan R. Sanchez ordered three years of supervised release, $6,000 restitution, an $8,000 fine, and a $200 special assessment.

The case was investigated by the Philadelphia Police Department and the National Park Service, United States Department of the Interior. It is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Denise S. Wolf. 

UNITED STATES ATTORNEY'S OFFICE, EASTERN DISTRICTof PENNSYLVANIA
Suite 1250, 615 Chestnut Street, Philadelphia, PA 19106
PATTY HARTMAN, Media Contact, 215-861-8525