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Aug. 5, 2020 By Christian Murray
A Cambria Heights man has been sentenced to 10 years in prison after pleading guilty to attempted murder in the April 2018 attack on his transgender girlfriend, Queens District Attorney Melinda Katz announced today.
David Viltus, 31, pleaded guilty in February to attempted murder after admitting that he beat and slashed the victim when she refused to continue selling sex for his own profit.
The attack took place at the Hillside Hotel in Jamaica, Queens where the victim — a 29-year-old transgender woman — was staying. The victim, who had been prostituting herself for the defendant, refused to continue engaging in sex acts for cash.
Viltus, angered by her refusal, punched the victim in the face with a closed fist and used a scalpel to slash her in the face. He smashed a plant on her head and threw her against a door, knocking the door off its hinges.
“The victim in this case was attempting to free herself from exploitation and sex trafficking when the defendant who was taking the money she made viciously attacked her,” Katz said in a statement. “The defendant admitted his guilt and has now been ordered to prison for his criminal actions.”
Viltus, of 221st Street in Cambria Heights, was sentenced by Justice Peter Vallone Jr., who ordered him to serve 10 years in prison, to be followed by five years post release supervision.
Justice Vallone also issued an order of protection barring Viltus from having any contact with the victim.
