Man Sentenced to 17 Years to Life for Brutal Pasadena Metro Station Attack

A man who violently assaulted a woman at a Pasadena Metro station last year was sentenced Thursday to 17 years to life in state prison, concluding a case that drew heightened attention to public safety on Los Angeles’ transit system, according to media reports.

Juan Pablo Flores pleaded guilty to attempted murder and was sentenced by Judge Mark Mooney in Los Angeles County Superior Court.

The attack occurred around 5:30 a.m. on August 7, at the Allen station on the A Line (formerly the Gold Line).

Flores struck a lone female commuter and pushed her onto the northbound tracks.

He then dragged her across a concrete divider and threw her into the carpool lane of the adjacent 210 Freeway.

The woman escaped back to the platform and was later hospitalized.

Flores was arrested the following day and booked on one count of attempted murder under Penal Code 664/187 and one count of mayhem under Penal Code 203, the Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office announced in an August 12 press release.

“No one should have to endure such brutality, and everyone deserves to go about their day without fear for their safety. We will not tolerate violence on our transit system and will continue holding those responsible fully accountable for their actions,” District Attorney George Gascón said in the statement.