A 19-year-old man was sentenced to 66 months in prison for setting a homeless man on fire while he was sleeping on a New York City subway train. The attack occurred on December 1, when Hiram Carrero, from Harlem, ignited a flaming sheet near the 56-year-old victim as the No. 3 train passed through Midtown Manhattan.

Surveillance footage showed Carrero boarding the train at Penn Station shortly after 3 a.m. He appeared to approach the sleeping man before using the flaming cloth to ignite him. After the fire started, Carrero quickly exited the train back onto the Penn Station platform.

The victim suffered severe burns and permanent disfigurement as a result of the attack. Authorities described the incident as a deliberate act of arson that endangered multiple passengers onboard the subway.

Carrero was taken into custody and charged with arson and assault. At Tuesday’s sentencing, the court handed down a sentence of five and a half years in prison. Prosecutors highlighted the brutality of the attack and the lasting impact on the victim’s life, while defense attorneys did not dispute Carrero’s involvement but sought leniency based on his age.

The case has drawn attention to safety concerns for homeless individuals on public transit and the broader issue of violence in subway systems. Law enforcement officials have reiterated their commitment to preventing such attacks and ensuring the safety of all passengers.