Michael Wilson, 37, known to commit the majority of his crimes within the subway system, was arrested for the 25th time this year on Tuesday for allegedly riding between train cars passing through the 42nd Street-Times Square station. Described by sources as a serial transit offender with approximately 230 total arrests, he has earned the dubious reputation of being a prime contender for the subway crime “Hall of Fame.” Despite accumulating four additional arrests in the past month, Wilson was repeatedly released back onto the streets, as reported by law enforcement sources.
Wilson’s recent encounters with the law include being apprehended for lying across multiple seats on a train car in Brooklyn on May 25, smoking crack cocaine on a staircase at Riverside Drive and 104th Street on the Upper West Side on May 12, and smoking crack on a moving train in Harlem on May 6. Each time, he was let go following his arrest, prompting criticism from NYPD Chief of Transit Michael Kemper, who expressed frustration with the criminal justice system’s handling of repeat offenders like Wilson.
One notable incident on February 2 saw Wilson caught swiping a rider through a turnstile with a MetroCard for cash, leading to a confrontation with law enforcement at a subway station. Despite the discovery of multiple bent MetroCards in his possession, which rendered them unusable, and his subsequent arrest, the Manhattan District Attorney’s office decided not to prosecute him, citing “the interest of justice.” This decision drew further criticism from Chief Kemper, questioning whom the justice system truly serves.
With a history of four prior felony convictions, including one for a violent offense, Wilson’s persistent criminal behavior underscores the challenges faced by law enforcement in maintaining public safety within the transit system. Prosecutors continue to emphasize the importance of holding individuals like Wilson accountable for their actions to protect passengers and transit workers.
Before the recent bust, Wilson faced a string of legal troubles. Sources reveal that he was arrested on two criminal tampering charges on Jan. 17, and seven other charges on Jan. 13. Prior to that, on Jan. 3, he was taken into custody and charged with 11 offenses – 10 for criminal tampering and one for theft of service. Having a criminal history that dates back to 2004, Wilson has been arrested a staggering 232 times. However, many of these cases have been sealed, leaving the unsealed total at 170, as per sources. Out of his numerous arrests, 135 were for felony charges, yet he has only been convicted of felonies on four occasions, one of which was a violent felony. His parole has been revoked multiple times as well. Additionally, he has accumulated 53 misdemeanor convictions. Furthermore, sources disclose that Wilson has received over 30 bench warrants for failing to appear in court.
