PHILADELPHIA — A man convicted of helping two other men escape prison while he was in custody over a fatal brawl among soccer fans outside a famed Philadelphia cheesesteak restaurant has been sentenced in both cases.
Court documents indicate that Jose Flores-Huerta, 36, was sentenced in the escape case Thursday to 11½ months to 23 months plus probation.
Flores-Huerta was convicted of helping Ameen Hurst, 18, and Nasir Grant, 24, who cut a hole in a fence surrounding a recreation yard at the Philadelphia Industrial Correction Center in May 2023.
Hurst and Grant were gone for nearly 19 hours before officials knew they were missing. Both were recaptured days later; Hurst was being held in four homicides and other crimes, authorities said.
Flores-Huerta and Omar Arce, 35, also pleaded guilty Thursday to voluntary manslaughter and aggravated assault in a fatal beating outside Pat’s King of Steaks in September 2021, as soccer fans brawled following a match. A 28-year-old New York accountant, Isidro Cortes, was killed and his father and another man were hospitalized.
Authorities said neither defendant was considered among the main aggressors. Assistant District Attorney Ed Jaramillo said two other men seen on surveillance videos using trash can lids and beating victims struggling to stand up have never been caught, The Philadelphia Inquirer reported.
Both defendants were sentenced to 11½ months to 23 months plus five years’ probation for their roles in the brawl and eligible for immediate release on parole. Arce’s attorney, James Funt, said in court that his client will likely be deported to Mexico, the Inquirer reported.
Both defendants expressed remorse as they spoke briefly through an interpreter. Common Pleas Court Judge J. Scott O’Keefe told relatives of the victim that he’s “terribly sorry” for their loss, which he said was over something “incredibly stupid,” the newspaper reported.
A man has been sentenced for his involvement in a daring prison break and fatal brawl at a soccer match. The incident, which took place last year, shocked the community and left many questioning the safety and security of our prisons and sporting events.
The man, whose name has not been released to the public, was one of several inmates who managed to escape from a maximum-security prison in a well-coordinated plan. The escapees used makeshift tools to break through the prison walls and evade capture for several days before being apprehended by authorities.
However, the drama did not end there. The man, along with his accomplices, attended a local soccer match where a heated argument quickly escalated into a violent brawl. Tragically, one person was killed and several others were injured in the chaos that ensued.
The man was arrested and charged with a slew of offenses, including escape from custody, assault, and manslaughter. After a lengthy trial, he has been sentenced to serve a significant amount of time behind bars for his role in both the prison break and the fatal brawl.
This case serves as a stark reminder of the dangers that can arise when individuals choose to engage in criminal behavior. The consequences of such actions can be devastating, not only for the perpetrators themselves but also for innocent bystanders who may become caught up in the chaos.
It also highlights the need for increased security measures in our prisons and at public events to prevent similar incidents from occurring in the future. Authorities must remain vigilant and proactive in their efforts to maintain order and ensure the safety of all members of the community.
As we reflect on this troubling case, let us remember the importance of upholding the rule of law and holding individuals accountable for their actions. By working together to promote a culture of respect and responsibility, we can help prevent such tragedies from happening again in the future.
