The 39-year-old Bronx, New York City man accused of a violent assault on a teenage worker at Sesame Place is in Bucks County custody.
Troy McCoy was arrested by the U.S. Marshal Service Wednesday morning after extensive investigation by Middletown Township police and New York authorities. He was held in New York City and waived his right to extradition follow his arrest.
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On Friday morning, Middletown Township officers and detectives went to New York City and and took custody of McCoy.
He returned to the Middletown Township police station around 9:10 a.m. and was processed before being arraigned by District Judge John Kelly via video on charges of aggravated assault reckless endangerment, simple assault, harassment, and related offenses. He was jailed at the Bucks County Correctional Facility on $500,000 bail.
McCoy was with three adults and four children at the Middletown Township theme park on Sunday, August 9 when he seriously assaulted a 17-year-old boy employee after the teen advised the group of the state-mandated mask requirement, police said.
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Shakerra Bonds, 31, who lives with McCoy in the Bronx, has a warrant out for simple assault, criminal conspiracy, and related offenses. Police said she assaulted another Sesame Place employee who came to aid the injured teen.
McCoy, Bonds, and the group fled the park.
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Police and park security then launched an investigation.
McCoy was collared shortly after 6 a.m. Wednesday. A Taser was used by deputy marshals to subdue him following a failed attempt to barricade himself in his residence. He previously had dangerous encounters with law enforcement, police said.
Bonds, according to police, had agreed to surrender to them on Thursday at noon. She did not appear to surrender at that time.
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“Arrangements are being made between the Bucks County District Attorney’s Office and Bonds’ attorney to surrender her to MTPD,” Lt. Steve Forman said.
The assault at Sesame Place left the 17-year-old employee needing double jaw surgery and removal of a tooth. He ended up in the hospital for nearly a week.
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The story made national headlines and spread quickly across the internet.
The 17-year-old boy’s family created a Go Fund Me page to assist in raising funds for his ongoing recovery. As of Saturday morning, the fundraiser had gathered more than $37,000.
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“On behalf of the family, they would like to thank everyone for all of the generous donations, words of encouragement, and prayers. The unwavering amount of love and support is noticed and deeply appreciated,” the boy’s family said in a statement. “This teenager is on a long road to recovery both physically and mentally. Having the community show so much support truly means a lot.”
Sesame Place reopened to customers in July. The have implemented increased cleaning and have restricted attendance. They also are following county and state health guidelines during the pandemic, including the governor’s order that face masks be worn when in close proximity to others indoors or at public spaces.
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Editor’s Note: All individuals arrested or charged with a crime are presumed innocent until proven guilty. The story was compiled using information from police and public court documents.
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