By: Richard L. Smith
Union County officials have announced the sentencing of Alexis Mondesi, a 50-year-old Elizabeth resident, to 23 years in state prison. The sentencing, pronounced on Friday, December 8, 2023, is for the fatal stabbing of 21-year-old Yonatan Alexander Vasquez-Torres, also from Elizabeth.
This announcement was made by Union County Prosecutor William A. Daniel, Elizabeth Police Director Earl Graves, and Elizabeth Police Chief Giacomo Sacca.
Mondesi had previously pled guilty to first-degree Aggravated Manslaughter on October 26th before the Honorable Candido Rodriguez, Jr.
Following the guilty plea, Judge Rodriguez imposed a 23-year sentence in State Prison. Under the terms of the sentence, Mondesi is required to serve at least 85% of the term before being eligible for parole.
The incident dates back to the early hours of Sunday, October 10, 2021, when Elizabeth Police Officers were called to the 300 block of Center Street.
There, they discovered Vasquez-Torres with a fatal stab wound. He was pronounced dead at the scene.
Assistant Prosecutors Bryan Tiscia and Jillian Reyes, who prosecuted the case, provided these details.
Prosecutor Daniel expressed hope that this sentencing will bring some solace to the victim’s family and friends, as well as reassure the community at large.
He emphasized that such heinous crimes will not be tolerated and that the law enforcement and judicial system will diligently work to ensure that justice is served.