Mount Vernon Man Sentenced to 25 Years in Prison for Manslaughter

May 11, 2026

WHITE PLAINS, N.Y. – Westchester County District Attorney Susan Cacace announced that Ronald Hechavarria, 36, of Mount Vernon, was sentenced on Friday to 25 years in state prison plus five years post release supervision.

Hechavarria was sentenced by Judge Maurice Dean Williams. In January, he pleaded guilty to Manslaughter in the First Degree, a class B felony, for stabbing another Mount Vernon man to death in 2024.

DA Cacace said: “Our thoughts and prayers are with the victim’s family. We hope that this strong sentence brings some closure and solace to the Clay family. I am thankful for the collaborative efforts of our partners in law enforcement and our prosecutors for their efforts in this case.”

On Aug. 1, 2024, the defendant stabbed 37-year-old Mount Vernon resident Michael Clay multiple times, causing his death.

After killing Clay, the defendant absconded to Norfolk, Va., where he was later arrested as a fugitive from justice and returned to Westchester County.

The case was investigated by the Mount Vernon Police Department, the FBI Safe Streets Task Force, the Westchester County Department of Public Safety and the Norfolk Police Department.

The case was prosecuted by Gangs and Violent Crime Bureau Chief James Bavero and Assistant District Attorneys Kevin Jones and Leigh Wellington.

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