One of the Venezuelan nationals involved in the beating of police officers in Times Square was acquitted for this reason

A 22-year-old Venezuelan man accused of taking part in an infamous mob attack on two police officers in Times Square was mistakenly identified and “set free,” prosecutors said Friday.

By New York Post

The Manhattan district attorney's office is dropping the case against Joan Boda, who was initially charged with assault for a Jan. 27 fight that led to the arrest of seven other immigrants.

“After a thorough and diligent investigation, Joan Boda was cleared of being a participant in this attack,” the prosecutor's office said in a statement.

Instead, the district attorney's office said it identified and charged a suspect originally believed to be Pota.

“Our investigation revealed that the man described in the complaint, wearing a black and white jacket and pink shoes, was the perpetrator of this attack, Marcelino Este, not Joan Boda,” prosecutors said.

“Marcelino Este was charged for his participation. We, therefore, dismiss this complaint against Joan Boda.

Estey, a Venezuelan immigrant, appeared in court Friday and was arraigned on assault charges. He was held on $15,000 cash bail.

Bota's attorneys have strongly denied involvement in the melee, which erupted when one of the officers tried to stop a motionless immigrant on West 42nd Street.

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