Community Corner

Levittown Man Pleads Not Guilty in Utility Worker Assault

The fight occurred outside an East Meadow restaurant on Nov. 9; Defendant due back in court Jan. 7.

The Levittown man who allegedly beat up a Florida utility worker outside an East Meadow restaurant pleaded not guilty 3rd degree assault charges at his arraignment Tuesday.  

Thomas Libretto, 34, of Levittown, was then released by the judge without bail and issued a stay away order of protection for utility worker John Applewhite, 34, of Florida. Libretto is due back in court on Jan. 7, according to Newsday.

Get all the news and information you love in one place. Just click the "+ Follow" button on the groups that interest you here. Done!

The altercation started when Libretto reportedly noticed Applewhite urinating in the vicinity of his car in the parking lot of Texas Roadhouse in East Meadow on Nov. 9. After a verbal altercation, Applewhite allegedly kicked gravel into Libretto’s BMW, police said. 

The two began fighting and Libretto punched Applewhite in the face, breaking his nose and causing swelling to his eye, according to Nassau County Police Inspector Kenneth Lack. The Huffington Post later reported that Applewhite needed a plate in his face and a wire in his jaw due to the severity of the assault.

Follow Levittown Patch on Facebook.

The altercation was originally thought to have started because of Applewhite’s employment as a utility worker. Applewhite, a 12-year employee of Lakeland Electric, had come to Long Island to help repair power following Hurricane Sandy.


Get more local news delivered straight to your inbox. Sign up for free Patch newsletters and alerts.

We’ve removed the ability to reply as we work to make improvements. Learn more here