Former FDNY Firefighter, Who Posed as OnlyFans Model, Jailed for Fatal Drunk-Driving Crash in Unexpected Ruling

A former FDNY firefighter who transitioned to an OnlyFans model was sentenced to jail on Thursday for a fatal drunk-driving incident that claimed the life of a young airport worker in Queens. The courtroom erupted in cheers and applause from the victim's family as Michael Pena's bail was revoked following the tragic accident.

“Put the cuffs on him!” a voice rang out from the gallery of Queens Supreme Court as Pena faced the consequences of his actions in the February crash that resulted in the death of 23-year-old Justin Diaz.

More than 50 supporters of Diaz filled the courtroom, eager to witness the proceedings against Pena, who had been living a double life as a hunky OnlyFans model. He was hit with a 14-count indictment, which included serious manslaughter charges related to the incident that occurred on February 26.

The 28-year-old, who had recently been dismissed from the FDNY, was reportedly speeding at 83 mph in a 25 mph zone when he ran a red light and collided with Diaz's BMW, according to the Queens District Attorney's Office.

Prosecutors revealed that Pena had been out drinking for hours prior to the crash, and toxicology reports indicated that he had a significant amount of alcohol, cocaine, and marijuana in his system. Even five hours after the accident, his blood-alcohol level was still well above the legal limit.

At the scene, Pena allegedly admitted to the police, “I ran the light. I hit him. I’m a firefighter. I T-boned him. The car is registered to me. The reg expired in January… It’s a great car.” His cavalier attitude raised eyebrows in the courtroom.

Surveillance cameras and dashcam footage captured the horrific crash, providing undeniable evidence of Pena's reckless behavior. Dressed sharply in a charcoal gray suit, white shirt, and gold tie, Pena had previously been released on bail, which was set at $50,000 in cash or a $100,000 bond.

However, prosecutors argued that Pena posed a flight risk, especially considering the potential 15-year prison sentence he faced if convicted. His attorney, Marvin Kornberg, attempted to argue against the bail revocation, stating, “He has ties to the community. There is absolutely no need to change the bail. He lost his job. That’s the only thing that changed.”

Judge Michael Hartofilis ultimately sided with the prosecution, leading to an outburst of applause and cheers from the gallery as a stunned Pena looked on in disbelief.

Outside the courtroom, Franklin Diaz Jr., the victim's older brother, expressed his outrage, stating, “This was a heinous crime. The drugs, the alcohol, the speed—at what point do the new bail laws take into account such heinous disregard for human life? He has no regard.”

Diaz was on his way to work when Pena allegedly accelerated his luxury Mercedes S63, valued at around $135,000, through a red light, crashing into Diaz's vehicle and resulting in the tragic loss of life. The young man had recently graduated with a degree in aeronautics and was pursuing a career as an airplane mechanic.

Pena's criminal history includes multiple arrests across Queens, Nassau County, and New Jersey for various offenses, including using a fake ID and a troubling record of traffic violations, with 25 speeding tickets between 2023 and the present.

On his OnlyFans account, under the handle “I’m Mike LV,” Pena frequently showcased his physique, posting shirtless photos and charging subscribers for exclusive content. One of his posts from July 31, 2023, read, “Feelin real fresh got some new content for y’all; message me to unlock the goods.” Another photo from November 19, 2022, showed him flexing in a mirror while wearing only a towel.

Outside the courtroom, Diaz's father condemned Pena's actions, labeling them as “depravity.” He lamented, “My son Justin will no longer have a future. His future was just starting. His career was just starting to excel. He had just finished school. Justin was work, home, school.”

“Justin had a future and that was stolen,” the grieving father continued. “Snatched by Michael Pena.”