WHITE PLAINS, N.Y. — A Sleepy Hollow man was sentenced Thursday to 20 years to life in prison for shooting his former girlfriend in front of her children, Westchester County District Attorney Susan Cacace announced.
Ruben Santiago, 40, received his sentence from Westchester County Court Judge Maurice Williams, who also ordered five years of post-release supervision and issued a permanent order of protection for the victim. Santiago had previously pleaded guilty in February to multiple felony and misdemeanor charges related to the January 2024 attack.
Key Points:
- Ruben Santiago shot his ex-girlfriend in her Sleepy Hollow home, violating an active protection order.
- Santiago was sentenced to 20 years to life plus five years of post-release supervision.
- The victim described in court how she screamed for help and begged for her life after being shot.
Attack unfolded in presence of young children
According to prosecutors, Santiago forcibly entered the Sleepy Hollow residence around 4:30 p.m. on January 2, 2024, armed with a .38 caliber revolver. He shot the 37-year-old woman in the neck and hand while her young children witnessed the attack. The victim was rushed to an area hospital for treatment.
At the time of the incident, Santiago was already under a court-issued order of protection, which he violated by entering the home. He was apprehended the following day by the FBI’s Westchester Safe Streets Task Force.
Santiago’s guilty plea in February included charges of Attempted Murder in the First and Second Degrees, Attempted Assault, multiple counts of Burglary and Criminal Possession of a Weapon, and various counts of Criminal Contempt and Endangering the Welfare of a Child.
Victim describes lasting trauma in emotional court statement
During Thursday’s sentencing, the victim’s impact statement was read aloud. She described the lingering trauma from the attack, saying, “I screamed for help and begged for my life. I was left for dead. These night terrors haunt me now in my sleep.”
District Attorney Cacace emphasized the seriousness of domestic violence crimes in her public remarks. “Mr. Santiago’s depraved actions highlight the dangers that victims of domestic violence all too often face,” Cacace said. “It is paramount that we in law enforcement do all that we can to protect domestic abuse victims and to seek justice when they are harmed.”
The Sleepy Hollow Police Department led the investigation, assisted by several agencies including the FBI’s Westchester Safe Streets Task Force and Westchester County’s Real Time Crime Center.
Prosecution underscores commitment to domestic violence victims
The case was prosecuted by Domestic Violence Deputy Bureau Chief Janelle Armentano and Bureau Chief Joyce Miller, who worked closely with local and federal law enforcement to secure Santiago’s conviction.
DA Cacace concluded her remarks by stating that Santiago’s sentence “sends a strong message that acts of violence like this will not be tolerated in Westchester County.”
Santiago will serve his sentence in a New York State correctional facility, with the possibility of parole after serving the minimum term.