Julio César Llorente López, a Cuban resident in the Dominican Republic, has been sentenced to one month in prison for assaulting an officer from the General Directorate of Traffic and Land Transportation Safety (Digesett) in the Piantini sector of Santo Domingo.
The incident occurred in August 2023 after the officer fined Llorente López for using his cellphone while driving. Witnesses recorded a video showing the Cuban man slapping the traffic officer. The officer stepped back, but Llorente López maintained a confrontational stance. The footage went viral on social media, sparking widespread criticism of the Cuban community in the Dominican Republic, where locals demanded greater respect from island immigrants towards Dominican authorities.
The sentence was handed down this week by Judge Diana P. Moreno Rodríguez of the Eighth Chamber of the National District Penal Court. The prison term was served while Llorente López was under coercive measures. Additionally, the Cienfuegos native must pay RD$75,000 in damages to Officer José Anthony Alcántara Rojas, who is 23 years old.
Llorente López's defense attorney, José Martínez Hoepelman, stated that his client took responsibility for his actions and accepted the imposed penalty. The incident occurred when Officer Alcántara Rojas fined Llorente López for violating Article 221 of the Traffic Law 63-17, which prohibits the use of mobile devices while driving. The Cuban man reacted violently, striking the officer in the face and seizing his documents.
During the trial, the Public Prosecutor's Office had sought a two-year prison sentence and a RD$5,000 fine, but a plea agreement reduced the sentence. Officer Alcántara Rojas agreed to the compensation, and the court approved the deal. The sentence also notes that Llorente López was detained a day after the incident and released on September 14, 2023, following an appeal that argued his detention did not comply with proper legal procedures.
This resolution brings closure to a case that has captured public attention for a year and underscores the importance of respecting traffic authorities and laws established to ensure road safety worldwide.
Key Questions about the Assault Case in the Dominican Republic
Below are some frequently asked questions and answers regarding the case of Julio César Llorente López and the implications of his actions.
What led to Julio César Llorente López's arrest?
Llorente López was arrested for assaulting a traffic officer after being fined for using his cellphone while driving.
What was the original sentence sought by the Public Prosecutor's Office?
The Public Prosecutor's Office initially requested a two-year prison sentence and a RD$5,000 fine.
What compensation must Llorente López pay to the officer?
Llorente López must pay RD$75,000 in damages to Officer José Anthony Alcántara Rojas.