Anthony Calvo, of Long Beach, pleads guilty in ax attack on former co-worker over 'petty' dispute, Nassau DA says

A Long Beach man faces 22 years in prison at sentencing on May 1, after pleading guilty Friday to second-degree attempted murder for ambushing a former co-worker with an ax, said the Nassau County District Attorney's Office.

Authorities said the victim, identified only as a 60-year-old man, was walking home from his overnight shift as a dispatcher for Long Beach Taxi when he was attacked about 5:50 a.m. on Feb. 13, 2025, by Anthony Calvo, 35. Calvo had once been employed as a driver for the taxi service — but had stopped working there in 2022. The impetus for the attack involved what the district attorney’s office described only as "a petty disagreement."

During the attack, which occurred on Arizona Avenue, the district attorney’s office said Calvo ran up to the victim from behind and struck him "at least three times" with the ax — those strikes to the face, head and arm. Following the attack, authorities said, the victim dragged himself to the rear yard of a nearby family member’s home, where he was able to bang on the door for help.

A relative was able to call 911 and Long Beach Police responded to the scene. The victim was transported to Mount Sinai South Nassau hospital in Oceanside, where authorities said he was treated for "serious injuries to his head and jaw."

The injuries required "multiple surgeries," the DA's office said.

Calvo's attorney, Steven Gaitman, of Gaitman and Russo, said in a statement: "Our client who accepted responsibility for his crime today suffered from psychosis and delusions at the time of the incident. He has extreme remorse for his actions and the suffering he caused the victim, the victim's family, as well as his own family."

During a search warrant executed on Feb. 19, 2025, a white electric bicycle, a full face mask and the ax used in the attack all were recovered from Calvo’s apartment. Calvo’s DNA was found on the weapon, prosecutors said.

He was arrested and charged by Long Beach Police on March 12, 2025. He pleaded guilty before acting state Supreme Court Justice Robert Bogle.

"Anthony Calvo stalked and ambushed a man because of a petty disagreement, barbarically striking his head and face repeatedly ... until the man laid dying on the sidewalk," Nassau District Attorney Anne Donnelly said in a prepared statement Friday, adding: "A year later, Calvo’s victim has survived and made strides in his recovery, beginning to communicate and relearning basic tasks like feeding himself. He, however, remains unable to walk or bear weight and still requires round-the-clock medical assistance."

By John Valenti

john.valenti@newsday.com

John Valenti, a Newsday reporter since 1981, has been honored nationally by the Associated Press, Society of the Silurians and National Headliner Awards for investigative, enterprise and breaking news reporting, as well as column writing. He is the author of “Swee'pea,” about New York playground basketball star Lloyd Daniels. His debut crime novel, “For Nothing Is Hidden,” rooted in 1950s Long Island, was released in October 2025.