US court jails man 5 years for corpse abuse

A New York court has sentenced a 44-year-old man, Felix Rojas, to five years in prison for sexually abusing the body of a deceased passenger on a Manhattan subway train.

Rojas was sentenced on Wednesday after pleading guilty to the offence involving Jorge Gonzalez, 37, who died after losing consciousness on an R train in April 2025, according to reports.

Prosecutors said surveillance footage showed Rojas approaching the victim after realising he was unresponsive. He was also seen searching through the man’s pockets during the incident.

Court documents revealed that Rojas, a Brooklyn resident, later turned himself in to police about three weeks after authorities released surveillance images linking him to the case. He initially denied involvement when questioned.

In addition to the five-year jail term, the court ordered 15 years of supervised release after completion of his sentence.

Authorities said Rojas is a Mexican national who had previously made attempts to enter the United States unlawfully.

The victim, Gonzalez, had lived in the United States for nearly two decades and worked multiple jobs, including in construction and hospitality, to support family members in Mexico.

His family described him as a hardworking father devoted to providing for his loved ones.

The case has drawn public attention in the United States due to the disturbing nature of the incident and renewed concerns about safety and oversight within New York City’s transit system.