Ronnie Carrasquillo was released for time served today, Wednesday, October 18. Ronnie served 41 years for the October 1976 death of Chicago police Officer Terrence Loftus.
Judge Alfredo Maldonado said he was convinced that Carrasquillo was not the same person he was in 1976, a crime that garnered him a prison sentence of 200 to 600 years.
“You have changed. You are a different man than you were Oct. 10, 1976,” Maldonado told Carrasquillo moments before announcing the sentence. “You have made great strides (at) rehabilitation.”
The Puerto Rican Cultural Center, its Board of Directors and its staff wish to thank everyone who was involved over the decades in advocating for Ronnie Carrasquillo, but in particular, expresses its gratitude to former Congressman Luis V. Gutiérrez, former Alderman Billy Ocasio, former Commissioner Roberto Maldonado (at the time of his support) and former State Rep. Cynthia Soto for their unwavering support.