Year: 2021

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Wednesday, October 27, 2021

Man Convicted of Strangulation and Assault as Hate Crimes for
Attack on Jewish Man Who was Walking from Synagogue

Shouted Anti-Semitic Slurs Before and After Assault

Brooklyn District Attorney Eric Gonzalez today announced that a man has been convicted of charges of strangulation and assault as hate crimes and other offenses for the unprovoked attack against a Jewish man, whom he cursed and strangled as the victim was walking home from a synagogue.

District Attorney Gonzalez said, “Today’s verdict speaks to Brooklyn’s resolve to combatting and rooting out hate from our communities. The defendant has been brought to justice for this senseless, disturbing and hateful crime against a man simply walking home from his synagogue. Brooklyn’s strength is in its diversity and I remain committed to vigorously prosecuting bias-motivated violence.”

The District Attorney identified the defendant as James Vincent, 44. He was convicted yesterday of attempted first-degree strangulation as a hate crime, second-degree strangulation as a hate crime, attempted second-degree assault as a hate crime, third-degree assault as a hate crime, and fourth-degree criminal mischief following a jury trial before Brooklyn Supreme Court Justice Donald Leo. The defendant faces up to 15 years in prison when he is sentenced on December 13, 2021.

The District Attorney said that, according to the evidence, on April 21, 2018, at approximately 1 p.m., the victim, a 52-year-old Jewish man, was walking home from his synagogue after Sabbath prayers. He walked past the defendant in the vicinity of Rutland Road and East 46th Street in East Flatbush, when the defendant allegedly yelled, “You #$%& Jew, you Jews took my house and mortgage.” The victim continued walking.

The defendant then ran up to the victim from behind, placed his hands on his neck and applied pressure, according to the evidence. He then punched the victim in the head and body, put his arms around the victim’s head and applied pressure. Two bystanders intervened and the defendant continued to yell epithets regarding the victim’s religion as the victim picked up his yarmulke and kippah. The defendant then fled.

The victim suffered various injuries to the head and body.

Several surveillance videos from the area helped to identify the defendant and the investigation revealed that he purchased ice cream in a nearby store using a card bearing his name. He was arrested on April 27, 2018.

The case was investigated by now retired Detective Kenneth O’Donnell, of the NYPD’s Hate Crimes Task Force, under the supervision of Sergeant Charles A. Senat.

The case was prosecuted by Senior Assistant District Attorney Adriana Rodriguez, of the District Attorney’s Hate Crimes Bureau and Assistant District Attorney Kelli M. Muse, Chief of the Hate Crimes Bureau.

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An indictment is an accusatory instrument and not proof of a defendant’s guilt.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Wednesday, October 27, 2021

Brooklyn Man Indicted for Vehicular Manslaughter and
Leaving the Scene for Fatal Hit and Run Crash

Allegedly Drove Drunk and Struck Pedestrian in Crosswalk, Left the Scene and
Destroyed Evidence by Repairing Vehicle’s Windshield and Body

Brooklyn District Attorney Eric Gonzalez today announced that a Brooklyn man has been indicted for reckless manslaughter, vehicular manslaughter, leaving the scene of an incident without reporting, and driving while intoxicated, tampering with evidence and additional charges in connection with a fatal hit and run collision that killed a 47-year-old man from Staten Island in 2019.

District Attorney Gonzalez said, “An extensive and lengthy investigation into this tragic crash revealed the extent of this defendant’s illegal actions. He allegedly drove drunk, fatally struck a man crossing a Brooklyn road, drove away without stopping or offering help and then disposed of evidence and covered up damage to his car. We will now seek to hold him accountable for this dangerous and criminal conduct. My Street Safety Bureau continues to fully investigate all cases of vehicular violence to provide justice to victims and to help improve safety on our roadways.”

The District Attorney identified the defendant as Ramsaran Mahabeersingh, 57, of Cypress Hills, Brooklyn. He was arraigned today by Brooklyn Supreme Court Justice Donald Leo on an 18-count indictment in which he is charged with second-degree manslaughter, second-degree vehicular manslaughter, leaving the scene of an incident, driving while intoxicated, tampering with evidence and related charges. He faces up to 15 years in prison if convicted of the top count. Bail was set at $500,000 cash or $1,000,000 bond and he was ordered to return to court on November 18, 2021.

The District Attorney said that on September 22, 2019, the defendant left a bar he owns, Cross Bay Sports Bar in Ozone Park, while allegedly drunk, according to multiple witnesses. He entered a black 2009 Nissan Murano and drove it home. At approximately 3:13 a.m., the defendant allegedly struck the victim, 47-year-old Antonio Gonzalez, of Staten Island, as he started to cross North Conduit Boulevard near Crescent Street in Cypress Hills. The victim, a married father of three who worked as a maintenance worker in Manhattan, died at the scene.

A series of videos captured the defendant entering his vehicle and driving it to the location of the crash, going approximately 45 mph in a 30-mph zone, and then towards his home. He then struck another vehicle and a piece of his car fell off and was later recovered. Two days later, the defendant was observed throwing car paint and boxes of car parts into the garbage. The investigation further revealed that a repairman replaced the Murano’s windshield in the defendant’s driveway and that the windshield had damage consistent with striking a person and contained traces of the victim’s DNA. Finally, the vehicle allegedly underwent recent body work, according to the evidence.

The case was investigated by Detective Konstantin Genin of the NYPD Collision Investigation Squad.

The case is being prosecuted by Assistant District Attorney Jacob Uriel, Deputy Unit Chief the District Attorney’s Street Safety Bureau, under the supervision of Assistant District Attorney Craig Esswein, Bureau Chief.

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An indictment is an accusatory instrument and not proof of a defendant’s guilt.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Monday, October 25, 2021

Brooklyn Man Sentenced to 15 Years in
Prison for Killing His Brother

Shot Victim Through Bedroom Door Inside Shared Apartment

Brooklyn District Attorney Eric Gonzalez today announced that a Brooklyn man has been sentenced to 15 years in prison for fatally shooting his own brother inside their shared apartment in East New York, Brooklyn.

District Attorney Gonzalez said, “This is a senseless and tragic case that destroyed a family – one brother is dead, and another is behind bars. The defendant admitted his guilt and will now have to live with the consequences of this terrible decision.”

The District Attorney identified the defendant as Jahmorley Gayle, 36, of East New York, Brooklyn. He was sentenced today by Brooklyn Supreme Court Justice Vincent DelGiudice to 15 years in prison and five years’ post release supervision following his guilty plea to first-degree manslaughter in September.

The District Attorney said that, according to the evidence, on April 22, 2018, at approximately 11:45 a.m., the defendant called 911 and initially told responding officers that someone killed his brother, Jahimel Gayle, 37, inside their East New York apartment. The victim’s lifeless body was found wedged against the bedroom door, which had a head-level bullet hole. He suffered a fatal wound to his neck.

Officers found a gun in the kitchen cabinet, which matched the ballistic evidence and contained the defendant’s DNA on the trigger and trigger guard. Despite the defendant’s initial claim that another person committed the murder, video surveillance showed that no one entered the apartment at the time of the crime and outer windows of the apartment were secured with bars. The defendant later made a statement admitting to killing his brother.

A forensic psychiatrist contradicted the defense claim that the defendant suffered from acute delusional disorder at the time of the murder and concluded that his actions stemmed from heavy cocaine use that led to cocaine induced psychotic disorder.

The case was prosecuted by Senior Assistant District Attorney Robert Schwartz, of the District Attorney’s Homicide Bureau, under the supervision of Assistant District Attorney Timothy Gough, Bureau Chief.

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An indictment is an accusatory instrument and not proof of a defendant’s guilt.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Friday, October 22, 2021

Two Brooklyn Men Indicted for Attempted Murder as a Hate Crime
For Alleged Unprovoked Anti-Gay Attack

Victims Were Shopping in Bodega when Defendants Allegedly Shouted Homophobic Slurs,
Violently Attacked and Stabbed Each of the Two Victims

Brooklyn District Attorney Eric Gonzalez today announced that two men have been indicted for attempted murder as a hate crime and other charges in connection with an alleged anti-gay attack against two men at a Bushwick bodega. Both victims were assaulted and stabbed and suffered numerous injuries, including collapsed lungs.

District Attorney Gonzalez said, “The two victims in this case suffered serious and life-threatening injuries in a completely unprovoked attack. The defendants’ actions were particularly egregious as they allegedly attacked two innocent people because they believed them to be gay. No one should be targeted because of their race, ethnicity, sexual orientation, gender, or religion. We must all be able to safely walk the streets of our city without fear of being senselessly attacked.”

The District Attorney identified the defendants as Christopher Clemente, 37, of Bedford-Stuyvesant, Brooklyn, and Jonathan Carter, 31, of Ocean Hill, Brooklyn. Carter was arraigned today before Brooklyn Supreme Court Justice Danny Chun on a 26-count indictment in which both are variously charged with second-degree attempted murder as a hate crime, second-degree attempted murder, first-degree attempted assault as a hate crime, first-degree attempted assault, second-degree assault as a hate crime, and related charges. His bail was set at $10,000 and he was ordered to return to court on December 10, 2021. Clemente, who’s being held on $150,000 cash bail or $100,000 bond, will be arraigned next week.

The District Attorney said that, according to the investigation, at approximately 2:10 a.m., on September 4, 2021, inside of a bodega located at 1559 Broadway in Bushwick, the victims, a 36-year-old man and a 29-year-old man, were waiting for food when the defendants both made a series of homophobic slurs directed at the victims.

Clemente then allegedly repeatedly punched the 36-year-old man in the face and Carter then allegedly repeatedly struck him about the head and body with a glass liquor bottle, causing him to fall to the floor. Furthermore, it is alleged, Clemente then repeatedly stabbed the 36-year-old in the head and body.

Finally, it is alleged, Clemente and an unapprehended man chased after the 29-year-old victim, grabbing him, and Clemente repeatedly stabbed the younger man while making homophobic slurs.

The older victim suffered multiple stab wounds to his body, including head, buttocks and lung, causing a collapsed left lung.

The younger victim suffered multiple stab wounds to his body, including neck and lungs, causing both lungs to collapse.

The case is being prosecuted by Senior Assistant District Attorney Samantha Perlstein, of the District Attorney’s Hate Crimes Bureau, under the supervision of Assistant District Attorney Kelli M. Muse, Bureau Chief.

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An indictment is an accusatory instrument and not proof of a defendant’s guilt.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Thursday, October 14, 2021

Driver Charged with Assault and Reckless Manslaughter for Allegedly Striking 3-Month-Old Baby and Her Mother While Driving the Wrong Way

Crashed into Vehicle, Causing Both Cars to Enter Crosswalk and Strike Stroller, Killing Baby and Seriously Wounding Her Mom, Then Allegedly Attempted to Highjack Another Car

Brooklyn District Attorney Eric Gonzalez today announced that a Brooklyn man has been charged with first-degree assault, second-degree manslaughter and numerous other charges in connection with a car crash that was caused when he allegedly drove against traffic on a one-way street and collided with another vehicle, striking a family that was crossing the street with a stroller. A baby, 3-month-old Apolline Mong Guillemin, died and her mother sustained serious injuries.

District Attorney Gonzalez said, “This defendant allegedly drove in a shockingly reckless and criminal manner and destroyed a family in a matter of seconds. A young baby lost her life and her mother suffered life-altering injuries in a case of vehicular violence that simply cannot be tolerated. We intend to now seek justice for little Apolline and will continue to aggressively prosecute unlawful drivers who show disregard for the rules of the road and for the lives of everyone using Brooklyn’s streets.”

The District Attorney identified the defendant as Tyrik Mott, 29, of Prospect Heights, Brooklyn. He was arraigned today by Brooklyn Supreme Court Justice Danny Chun on a 22-count indictment in which he is charged with first- and second-degree assault, second-degree manslaughter, leaving the scene of an incident, reckless endangerment, and related charges. He faces up to 25 years in prison if convicted of the top count. Bail was set at $150,000 cash or $350,000 bond and he was ordered to return to court on November 30, 2021.

The District Attorney said that, according to the investigation, on September 11, 2021 at approximately 6 p.m., the defendant allegedly drove a Honda Civic eastbound on a portion of Gates Avenue that is a westbound one-way street. He entered the intersection at Vanderbilt Avenue, a two-way street, and collided with another Honda Civic driving north with the light. The two cars then struck a couple crossing Gates Avenue inside the crosswalk with a stroller.

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An indictment is an accusatory instrument and not proof of a defendant’s guilt.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Wednesday, October 13, 2021

Driver Who Struck and Killed Six-Year-Old Girl in
Dyker Heights Crosswalk Indicted for Manslaughter

Allegedly Drove into Opposite Lane of Traffic and Around Another Vehicle
To Make a Left Turn, Striking Child as She Crossed the Street with her Mother

Brooklyn District Attorney Eric Gonzalez today announced that a Brooklyn man has been arraigned on an indictment in which he is charged with manslaughter, criminally negligent homicide and other charges for striking and killing a six-year-old child as she crossed a street in Dyker Heights.

District Attorney Gonzalez said, “This defendant allegedly recklessly drove into oncoming traffic to get around a vehicle that was in front of him and ended up striking and killing an innocent child. We will now seek to hold him accountable for his actions. I am committed to protecting pedestrians and all who use our streets from unsafe drivers who endanger our community.”

The District Attorney identified the defendant as Qiuhua Zhu, 30, of Sunset Park, Brooklyn. He was arraigned yesterday before Brooklyn Supreme Court Justice William Harrington on a 12-count indictment in which he is charged with second-degree manslaughter, criminally negligent homicide, second-degree assault, and related charges. He remains out on $50,000 bail and was ordered to return to court on December 1, 2021. He faces a maximum sentence of 15 years in prison if convicted of the top count.

The District Attorney said that, according to the investigation, on August 24, 2021, at approximately 8 p.m., the defendant was allegedly driving a 2017 Lexus GX460 southbound on 12th Avenue, crossing over the solid yellow pavement markings into the opposite lane of traffic and driving around another vehicle directly in front of the defendant’s vehicle. The other vehicle had stopped and had motioned for the child to cross the street. After driving around the other vehicle, the defendant allegedly made a left turn at the intersection of 67th Street and struck the child, Tamy Hiromi Quema Guachiac, who was crossing 67th Street in the east crosswalk, from north to south, with the pedestrian signal in her favor.

The child was taken to Maimonides Medical Center and died a short time later.

The case is being prosecuted by Senior Assistant District Attorney Steven Bravo and Assistant District Attorney Jessica Wishart, of the District Attorney’s Blue Zone Trial Bureau, under the supervision of Assistant District Attorney Kin Ng, Bureau Chief.

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An indictment is merely an accusation and not proof of a defendant’s guilt

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Saturday, October 9, 2021

Street Co-Named in Honor of the Late Brooklyn District Attorney
Ken Thompson on the Fifth Anniversary of His Death

Stretch of Jay Street Between the Brooklyn DA’s Office and Brooklyn Supreme Court
Will be Known as Kenneth P. Thompson Way

Brooklyn District Attorney Eric Gonzalez today announced that a portion of Jay Street between Willoughby Street and Tech Place, which stretches between the Brooklyn DA’s Office and Brooklyn Supreme Court, has been named District Attorney Kenneth P. Thompson Way in honor of the late District Attorney who passed away five years ago. Thompson was the first African American DA in Brooklyn and put in place transformative reforms and radical changes to the criminal justice system. The resolution to rename the street was co-sponsored by Council Members Stephen Levin and Laurie Cumbo.

DA Gonzalez said, “The Great Ken Thompson had a bold vision of what Brooklyn could be and I am proud to have known him as a mentor and friend. He was the first of what has become a wave of progressive prosecutors across the country and the reforms he enacted – such as the Conviction Review Unit, marijuana decriminalization and the Young Adult Court – have had an impact far beyond Brooklyn. Ken’s commitment to safety, equity and fundamental fairness continue to guide me and our Office, and having this street co-named after him will serve as a daily reminder of these bedrock principles that guided him – and continue to guide us today.”

Lu-Shawn Thompson, Ken’s widow, said, “There are no words to express how I feel right now. I know Kenny would have been so proud and happy to have seen the street directly in front of his former office named in his honor. My children will have yet another example of the legacy and impact of their father. Through their father, they will know what it means to have a well lived life.”

Congressman Hakeem Jeffries said, “Ken Thompson was a groundbreaking district attorney who elevated the integrity and fairness of the criminal justice system in Kings County to unprecedented heights. He was a transformational figure in the fight for criminal justice reform nationally and a staunch defender of the safety and security of Brooklynites at home. I thank everyone who made this street co-naming possible and applaud all the individuals who are carrying the legacy of my friend forward.”

Council Member Levin said, “I am honored to be here today in remembrance of a great man. We gather here – with friends, family, community leaders, elected officials – for the co-naming of Jay Street as District Attorney Kenneth P. Thompson Way. Ken was a fighter all the way. He entered New York City government at a time when he was most needed. In the face of racial injustices and a myriad of challenging problems facing our city, he brought with him his expertise, candor, professionalism and vigor to a role in which he could be a public servant I the truest sense of the word. He committed to service, knowing that he would face opposition and challenges, because Ken knew deep down that the status quo when it comes to our criminal justice system needed a fresh set of eyes. A set of eyes from a perspective truly representative of those most impacted by the same system. He took on the issue of gun violence and left a legacy in the taskforce run by his successor, DA Eric Gonzalez. Ken knew we had to think big and tackle the issue of guns at their source and investigated the issue to get to the source of the problem – the iron pipeline allowing guns to come into New York and to Brooklyn. Bold. Visionary. These are two words which encapsulate his essence. It is only fitting that we gather here in front of the Brooklyn District Attorney’s Office on a thoroughfare in the heart of our justice system to put his name up as a reminder to all of what our leadership can aspire to.”
Council Member Cumbo said, “District Attorney Kenneth P. Thompson was an immense force for community service, hard work, justice, and fair treatment under the law. His dedication to law and his strategic intelligence has resulted in his legal influence both federally and locally. As Brooklyn’s first African American District Attorney, he provided a presence and mindset to help change and restore confidence in our criminal justice system. Kenneth P. Thompson is sorely missed but his legacy remains, and this street co-naming is a fitting tribute to the man who gave so much for the pursuit of justice.”
Following a career as a federal prosecutor and attorney in private practice, Thompson was elected to Brooklyn District Attorney in 2013, unseating a long-time incumbent and becoming the first African American DA elected in the borough. During his short tenure in office, he achieved a number of groundbreaking reforms. He established a Conviction Review Unit that quickly became a national model by exonerating over 20 wrongfully convicted individuals. To date, the CRU has vacated 120 convictions.

Thompson was also the first DA to stop prosecuting low-level marijuana possession as nearly 90% of those arrested were Black or Latino. That decision was a controversial move back in 2014 but proved to be the first step in the march toward legalization, which became the law in New York earlier this year. He was the first to establish a program to vacate summons warrants for minor infractions like walking a dog without a leash or being in a park after dark, leading the city and other DAs to follow suit. His vision resulted in the dismissals of hundreds of thousands of old outstanding warrants that held many people back from receiving education, housing and other benefits. He created the first Young Adult Court to provide needed interventions instead of seeking convictions against defendants ages 16 to 24, an approach that was used as a template for the “Raise the Age” legislation.

He strongly believed that everyone had a right to be safe in their own neighborhood and served as a fearless leader on behalf of social and racial justice in this country. He was also a loving husband to his wife Lu-Shawn and an adoring father to his two children. Thompson was diagnosed with colorectal cancer in 2016 and passed away on October 9, 2016.

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Tuesday, October 5, 2021

Queens Man Indicted for Sex Trafficking of Woman

Victim was Allegedly Drugged, Beaten and Forced to Engage in Prostitution, Held Against Her Will, Bound with Electrical Cord

Brooklyn District Attorney Eric Gonzalez today announced that a Long Island City man has been arraigned on an indictment in which he is charged with sex trafficking, promoting prostitution, assault, and related charges for the alleged sex trafficking of a young woman in Brooklyn and elsewhere.

District Attorney Gonzalez said, “This young woman allegedly suffered horrific abuse at the hands of this defendant. Thankfully, she was able to escape and get help. We must continue to do all we can to raise awareness of human trafficking and to prosecute those who engage in this appalling crime.”

The District Attorney identified the defendant as Walter Pinckney, 25, of Long Island City, Queens. He was arraigned today before Brooklyn Supreme Court Justice Danny Chun on a nine-count indictment in which he is charged with sex trafficking, second-, third- and fourth-degree promoting prostitution, second- and third-degree assault, criminal obstruction of breathing or blood circulation, and unlawful imprisonment. He faces up to 25 years in prison on the top count and would be required to register as a sex offender if convicted. He was ordered held on bail of $500,000 bond or $100,000 cash and to return to court on November 16, 2021.

The District Attorney said that, according to the investigation, between May 11, 2021 and June 6, 2021, the defendant allegedly forced a 24-year-old woman who he met through mutual friends to work as a prostitute after taking sexually suggestive photos of her and posting them in advertisements on megapersonals.com and skipthegames.com, offering sex in exchange for money.

It is alleged that when the victim said she did not want to work in prostitution, the defendant hit her. He allegedly arranged numerous dates for her throughout New York City and specifically at the Imperial Hotel in East New York, giving her Adderall and Ecstasy to keep her awake and working – sometimes for up to three consecutive days.

It is alleged that the abuse escalated throughout the course of the time the woman was with the defendant, including an instance where he allegedly placed both of his hands around her neck and applied pressure restricting her ability to breath because she did not want work as a prostitute.

On another occasion, it is alleged, she was tasered by an unidentified woman and beaten by the defendant after leaving a date and heading to the defendant’s residence on her own instead of waiting to be picked up. She was allegedly punched in the face, chest and abdomen by the defendant and suffered bruising and broken ribs.

Finally, it is alleged, the woman was taken to a house in East Flatbush in early June and held at the location and not given adequate food or water. She was confined to a single room and her wrists and ankles were bound with electrical cord. On June 6, 2021, she was able to loosen the cords, escape the residence, run down the street, and call 911 from a local corner store.

The case was investigated by Detectives Antonio Pagan and Liam O’Hara of the New York City Police Department, Human Trafficking Squad, under the supervision of Sergeant Robert Duplessis and Lieutenant Amy Capogna, along with Detective David Mills from the NYPD/HSI Public Safety Task Force, under the supervision of Sergeant Taiwo Adeleke. Both squads fall under the overall supervision of Captain Thomas Milano, Executive Officer and Inspector Fernando Guimaraes, Commanding Officer of the Vice Human Trafficking Unit.

The case is being prosecuted by Senior Assistant District Attorney Mary E. Monahan, under the supervision of Assistant District Attorney David Weiss, Deputy Chief of the District Attorney’s Human Trafficking Unit, and under the overall supervision of Assistant District Attorney Miss Gregory, Chief of the Special Victims Bureau.

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An indictment is an accusatory instrument and not proof of a defendant’s guilt

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Tuesday, October 5, 2021

Queens Man Indicted for Sex Trafficking of Woman

Victim was Allegedly Drugged, Beaten and Forced to Engage in Prostitution, Held Against Her Will, Bound with Electrical Cord

Brooklyn District Attorney Eric Gonzalez today announced that a Long Island City man has been arraigned on an indictment in which he is charged with sex trafficking, promoting prostitution, assault, and related charges for the alleged sex trafficking of a young woman in Brooklyn and elsewhere.

District Attorney Gonzalez said, “This young woman allegedly suffered horrific abuse at the hands of this defendant. Thankfully, she was able to escape and get help. We must continue to do all we can to raise awareness of human trafficking and to prosecute those who engage in this appalling crime.”

The District Attorney identified the defendant as Walter Pinckney, 25, of Long Island City, Queens. He was arraigned today before Brooklyn Supreme Court Justice Danny Chun on a nine-count indictment in which he is charged with sex trafficking, second-, third- and fourth-degree promoting prostitution, second- and third-degree assault, criminal obstruction of breathing or blood circulation, and unlawful imprisonment. He faces up to 25 years in prison on the top count and would be required to register as a sex offender if convicted. He was ordered held on bail of $500,000 bond or $100,000 cash and to return to court on November 16, 2021.

The District Attorney said that, according to the investigation, between May 11, 2021 and June 6, 2021, the defendant allegedly forced a 24-year-old woman who he met through mutual friends to work as a prostitute after taking sexually suggestive photos of her and posting them in advertisements on megapersonals.com and skipthegames.com, offering sex in exchange for money.

It is alleged that when the victim said she did not want to work in prostitution, the defendant hit her. He allegedly arranged numerous dates for her throughout New York City and specifically at the Imperial Hotel in East New York, giving her Adderall and Ecstasy to keep her awake and working – sometimes for up to three consecutive days.

It is alleged that the abuse escalated throughout the course of the time the woman was with the defendant, including an instance where he allegedly placed both of his hands around her neck and applied pressure restricting her ability to breath because she did not want work as a prostitute.

On another occasion, it is alleged, she was tasered by an unidentified woman and beaten by the defendant after leaving a date and heading to the defendant’s residence on her own instead of waiting to be picked up. She was allegedly punched in the face, chest and abdomen by the defendant and suffered bruising and broken ribs.

Finally, it is alleged, the woman was taken to a house in East Flatbush in early June and held at the location and not given adequate food or water. She was confined to a single room and her wrists and ankles were bound with electrical cord. On June 6, 2021, she was able to loosen the cords, escape the residence, run down the street, and call 911 from a local corner store.

The case was investigated by Detectives Antonio Pagan and Liam O’Hara of the New York City Police Department, Human Trafficking Squad, under the supervision of Sergeant Robert Duplessis and Lieutenant Amy Capogna, along with Detective David Mills from the NYPD/HSI Public Safety Task Force, under the supervision of Sergeant Taiwo Adeleke. Both squads fall under the overall supervision of Captain Thomas Milano, Executive Officer and Inspector Fernando Guimaraes, Commanding Officer of the Vice Human Trafficking Unit.

The case is being prosecuted by Senior Assistant District Attorney Mary E. Monahan, under the supervision of Assistant District Attorney David Weiss, Deputy Chief of the District Attorney’s Human Trafficking Unit, and under the overall supervision of Assistant District Attorney Miss Gregory, Chief of the Special Victims Bureau.

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An indictment is an accusatory instrument and not proof of a defendant’s guilt