A Queens man who was accused of trying to run over Black Lives Matter demonstrators with his car after threatening them with a bladed glove in 2020 was sentenced to 14 years in prison, prosecutors said Tuesday.

Frank Cavalluzzi, 57, of Flushing, was convicted in August 2023 of nine counts of second-degree attempted murder, nine counts of first-degree attempted assault, seven counts of second-degree menacing, fourth degree criminal possession of a weapon and reckless driving, Queens District Attorney Melinda Katz said in a press release. 

“A dangerous man is being held accountable for unleashing terror on peaceful demonstrators who were simply exercising their First Amendment right,” Katz said. “Thankfully, the victims were not physically harmed, and we secured justice on their behalf.”

Prosecutors said around 3:25 p.m. on June 2, 2020, a group of demonstrators were hanging Black Lives Matter signs and posters near the Cross Island Parkway service road and Clintonville Street in Whitestone, Queens, when Cavalluzzi drove up to them, stopped his SUV across the street and began screaming at them.

Cavalluzzi proceeded to yell “profanities and racial slurs,” when he turned his vehicle around, got out and began chasing them while wearing a leather glove that had four blades attached to it, according to prosecutors.

Cavalluzzi then got back in his car and yelled “I will kill you” and drove his vehicle onto the sidewalk toward the demonstrators who avoided getting hit, prosecutors said.

Queens Supreme Court Justice Michelle A. Johnson said Cavalluzzi's sentence in prison will be followed by five years of post-release supervision, according to the release.