About Gary

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Monday, March 24, 2025

Brooklyn Financial Advisor Indicted for Allegedly Stealing

Approximately $1.24 Million from 10 Clients in Ponzi Scheme

Allegedly Promised High Returns on Business Investments,

Used Stolen Funds to Pay for Personal Expenses

Brooklyn District Attorney Eric Gonzalez today announced that a licensed Brooklyn financial advisor has been arraigned on an indictment charging him with stealing close to $1.24 million from 10 people to whom he issued promissory notes with high rates of return.

District Attorney Gonzalez said, “This defendant allegedly stole hundreds of thousands of dollars by persuading unsuspecting individuals to invest with false promises of high returns. Investors should be mindful that guaranteed high returns—especially without clear business details—are often a red flag. We will now seek to hold this defendant accountable and secure justice for those affected.”

The District Attorney identified the defendant as Marat Likhtenstein, 64, of Sheepshead Bay, Brooklyn. He was arraigned today before Brooklyn Supreme Court Justice Danny Chun on an indictment in which he is charged with eight counts of second-degree grand larceny, two counts of third-degree grand larceny, two counts of first-degree scheme to defraud, and 10 counts of violating General Business Law Section 352-C (6). The defendant was released without bail and ordered to return to court on May 21, 2025.

The District Attorney said that, between November 2015 and March 2025, the defendant operated a fraudulent scheme using promissory notes to induce individuals to invest in purported business opportunities. He allegedly claimed he could not discuss the details of the business opportunities with the investors but promised to pay them 20 percent interest pursuant to the notes.

Furthermore, it is alleged, instead of investing the funds in business opportunities, the defendant used the money for personal expenses and to make partial payments to earlier victims of the Ponzi scheme.

At the time of the alleged scheme the defendant was a FINRA-licensed financial advisor and a New York State licensed insurance agent registered to sell securities and insurance products through Likhtenstein Financial Planning Inc. His office was located on Avenue V in Sheepshead Bay, Brooklyn. The investigation began following a complaint to the District Attorney’s Action Center.

People who believe they have been victimized by this defendant are encouraged to contact the Brooklyn District Attorney’s Action Center at 718-250-2340 or to send an email to LikhtensteinComplaints@brooklynda.org.

Chief Financial Investigator Ludwig Sanchez and Financial Investigator Jose Carlos Covas, of the District Attorney’s Asset Forfeiture and Crimes Against Revenue Bureau, Intelligence Analyst Veranika Basak, of the District Attorney’s Investigations Division, and KCDA Detective Investigators all assisted in the investigation.

The case is being prosecuted by Assistant District Attorney Michael Choi, Special Counsel for Complex Investigations, under the supervision of Assistant District Attorney Michel Spanakos, Deputy Chief of the Investigations Division, and Assistant District Attorney Patricia McNeill, Chief of the Investigations Division.

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

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Monday, March 17, 2025

Brooklyn Man Arraigned on Indictment Charging Him With
Attempted Rape of Woman Jogging in Park

Defendant Fled After Motorcyclist Rode by the Scene

Brooklyn District Attorney Eric Gonzalez today announced that a Brooklyn man has been arraigned on an indictment in which he is charged with attempted rape, robbery as a sexually motivated felony and other charges for allegedly grabbing a woman jogger from behind, throwing her to the ground and attempting to rape her in Shirley Chisholm State Park.

District Attorney Gonzalez said, “This defendant is alleged to have followed the victim during a daylight jog and attempt to rape her. Luckily, he was foiled by a stranger. Thanks to painstaking work of state troopers and my office he was identified and will now be brought to justice.”

The District Attorney identified the defendant as Amadou Kane, 22, of East New York, Brooklyn. He was arraigned today before Brooklyn Supreme Court Justice Michael Kitsis on an indictment in which he is charged with first-degree robbery as a sexually motivated felony, first-degree attempted rape, first-degree attempted sexual abuse, attempted forcible touching, and related charges. Bail was set at $150,000 cash or $350,000 bond. The defendant was ordered to return to court on April 25, 2025.

The District Attorney said that, according to the investigation, on September 12, 2023, at approximately 4:30 p.m., the victim, a 51-year-old woman, was jogging in Shirley Chisholm State Park when she saw a man ride a bicycle towards her and then past her. Moments later, she was grabbed from behind, thrown to the ground, and punched multiple times. While wrestling with the man on the ground she pulled off his mask and allegedly recognized him as the man on the bicycle.

The defendant allegedly told the woman he had a knife and that he would kill her. He then allegedly told her to pull down her pants and he began to pull down his pants. The defendant fled when he heard a stranger approaching on a motorcycle, taking the victim’s Apple watch from her wrist. The victim called 911 and ran to a nearby park ranger for help. New York State Troopers conducted a canvass for surveillance video and captured the defendant fleeing the park on his bicycle to a nearby shop where he used Apple Pay to buy a bottle of water.

The defendant was identified following a lengthy investigation using financial records, cell site data and social media.

The District Attorney thanked Special Victims Bureau Paralegal Diamond Bertrand for her assistance on the case.

The case was investigated by Investigators Christopher Miller, Juan Orejuela and Dimitrios Papadatos of the New York State Troopers.

The case is being prosecuted by Senior Assistant District Attorney Chelsea Jacobi and Assistant District Attorney Christina Oddo, of the District Attorney’s Special Victims Bureau, under the supervision of Assistant District Attorney Ebonie Legrand, Deputy Bureau Chief, and Assistant District Attorney Miss Gregory, Bureau Chief.

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

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Thursday, March 6, 2025

Reputed Gang member Sentenced to 10 Years in Prison for
Shooting Rival During the West Indian Day Parade

 Arrived at Scene With Loaded Pistol Before Fight Broke Out
With Rival Gang; Convicted of First-Degree Assault

Brooklyn District Attorney Eric Gonzalez announced today that a 25-year-old Brooklyn man was sentenced to 10 years in prison for shooting a rival gang member during a confrontation at the Western Indian Day Parade in 2023. Trial evidence showed that the defendant came to the scene with a loaded pistol, looking for violence, and that his group confronted the rival gang upon seeing them.

District Attorney Gonzalez said, “This case demonstrates the dangers our communities face from gang members who have no regard for human life and are willing to open fire amid a crowded parade. My office is determined to keep holding those who commit shootings fully responsible, as we have in this case. This uncompromising approach is part of the reason that Brooklyn experienced the safest year in terms of gun violence in 2024, with shootings and homicides continuing to decrease this year.”

The District Attorney identified the defendant as Ricardo Brown, 25, of Bedford-Stuyvesant, Brooklyn. He was sentenced today by Brooklyn Supreme Court Justice Laura Johnson to 10 years in prison and five years’ post release supervision. The defendant was convicted last month of first-degree assault after a jury trial.

The District Attorney said that, according to the evidence, on September 4, 2023, just before 5:20 p.m., the defendant and a group of up to 10 young men left a building near Sterling Place and Utica Avenue in Crown Heights that’s known to be the headquarters of the Stain Gang. That crew, which the defendant belongs to, has an ongoing rivalry with a gang called 487.

The evidence showed that the defendant, armed with a loaded .380 caliber pistol, went to the parade with his group and confronted the victim and a group of his friends in front of 1187 Eastern Parkway, which is 487 territory. A fight broke out almost immediately after the two groups saw each other. The defendant pulled out his gun and fired two shots – one struck the victim in the back and the second hit the windshield of a passing fire truck. There were hundreds, if not thousands, of people in the immediate vicinity of the shooting.

The victim was treated almost instantaneously by first responders who were stationed along the parade route, likely saving his life. The bullet entered his back, exited the stomach and was lodged in his hand, and he also suffered fractured ribs and a lacerated liver from the through-and-through gunshot wound, requiring surgery, intubation and hospitalization.

The defendant fled immediately after the shooting, tossed the pistol in a driveway between two daycares and ultimately returned to the Stain Gang headquarters. A man attending the parade found the gun and informed responding officers. Ballistic analysis matched the weapon to the two shell casings recovered at the scene.

Paralegal Jamal Marshall, of the District Attorney’s Orange Zone Trial Bureau, and Forensic Analyst Tina Razack, of the District Attorney’s Digital Evidence Lab, assisted in prosecuting this case.

The case was prosecuted by Senior Assistant District Attorney Matthew Barg and Assistant District Attorney Shelby Mitchell of the District Attorney’s Orange Zone Trial Bureau, under the supervision of Assistant District Attorney Michael Trabulsi, Deputy Bureau Chief, and Danielle Eaddy, Bureau Chief.

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Monday, March 3, 2025

Former Brooklyn Teacher Pleads Guilty to Using Child in
Sexual Performance and Endangering the Welfare of Children
For Coaxing Teens to Send Him Sexual Images

Will Be Sentenced to Seven Years in Prison for Soliciting Photos and Videos and Engaging in
Graphic Conversations with Six Young Victims Attending Elite Schools

Brooklyn District Attorney Eric Gonzalez today announced that a 38-year-old former math teacher pleaded guilty to use of a child in a sexual performance as a sexually motivated felony and five counts of endangering the welfare of a child in exchange for a seven-year prison sentence and sex offender registration. With this plea, the defendant admitted to enticing or trying to entice teenage students from four Brooklyn independent schools to send him images of nudity and sexual performances. A former teacher at Saint Ann’s School in Brooklyn Heights, he pretended to be a young teen and fellow student when engaging in conversations of a sexual nature over the messaging application Snapchat.

District Attorney Gonzalez said, “Today’s plea holds this defendant responsible for his disturbing and predatory conduct while sparing young and vulnerable victims from ever having to testify about their traumatic experiences. This kind of exploitation of children, made even more distressing by the fact that the defendant was a trusted school figure, will never be tolerated in Brooklyn and we will continue to expose and root it out. I would like to acknowledge the detectives and prosecutors from my office who investigated this complicated case and ensured that justice is done.”

The District Attorney identified the defendant as Winston Nguyen, 38, of Harlem, New York. He pleaded guilty today before Brooklyn Supreme Court Justice Phillip Tisne to one count of use of a child in a sexual performance as a sexually motivated felony, and five counts of endangering the welfare of a child, in exchange for a promised sentence of seven years in prison, 10 years’ post-release supervision and sex offender registration. Sentencing was scheduled for March 17, 2025.

The District Attorney said that, according to the investigation, the defendant presented himself as a young teen when having conversations with children on Snapchat. He was charged with crimes against six children who went to various elite independent schools in Brooklyn.

The charged incidents took place between October 2022 and May 2024, when the victims were between the ages of 13 and 15 years old. The defendant used two Snapchat accounts, hunterkristoff and haircutbongos, to contact the victims, pretending to be a teenage boy. The defendant sent nude images and videos that depicted a teenage boy masturbating to the victims. The defendant also used the accounts to engage in prolonged conversations that described and depicted various sexual acts and got the victims to send images and videos of the victims engaged in sexual performance to him through the Snapchat accounts.

According to the investigation, the two Snapchat accounts mentioned above were connected to IP addresses associated with the defendant, including his Harlem residence, other evidence includes digital communications and images, and accounts from victims.

The case was investigated by KCDA Detective Investigators, with the assistance of Senior Digital Forensic Analyst Sourov Talukder and Digital Forensic Analyst Richard Rojas, of the District Attorney’s Digital Evidence Lab.

The case is being prosecuted by Senior Assistant District Attorney Daniel Brian Newcombe, of the District Attorney’s Special Victims Bureau, under the supervision of Assistant District Attorney Kevin O’Donnell, Deputy Bureau Chief, and Assistant District Attorney Olatokunbo Olaniyan, First Deputy Bureau Chief, and the overall supervision of Assistant District Attorney Miss Gregory, Bureau Chief.

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Tuesday, February 25, 2025

Westchester Man Arraigned on Attempted Murder and Other Charges for
Allegedly Pushing Stranger onto Subway Tracks

Defendant Approached Victim from Behind and Shoved Him

Brooklyn District Attorney Eric Gonzalez today announced that a Westchester man has been arraigned on an indictment in which he is charged with attempted murder, assault, and other charges for allegedly shoving a stranger onto the subway tracks at the Atlantic Avenue-Barclays station in Brooklyn.

District Attorney Gonzalez said, “This was a terrifying attack that is the nightmare of every New Yorker who uses the subway. Luckily, the victim was able to lift himself from the tracks moments before a subway train entered the station. We will now seek to hold this defendant accountable for his alleged, horrifying actions.”

The District Attorney identified the defendant as Andrew Pashinin, 19, of Harrison, New York. He was arraigned today before Brooklyn Supreme Court Justice Herbert Moses on an indictment in which he is charged with second-degree attempted murder, first-degree attempted assault, first- and second-degree reckless endangerment, third-degree assault, third-degree menacing, and fourth-degree criminal possession of a weapon. The defendant was ordered held without bail pending a psychiatric examination and to return to court on April 2, 2025.

The District Attorney said that, according to the investigation, on December 7, 2024, at approximately 11:35 a.m., on the south bound D train platform of the Atlantic Avenue-Barclays station the defendant allegedly pulled out a knife and walked behind a 33-year-old man standing on the platform. He then put the knife away, pulled out a camera and began recording the man.

The defendant and the man got into a verbal dispute and the man walked away from the defendant, who then followed the man and allegedly shoved him from behind onto the subway tracks. The victim was able to get himself off the tracks and onto the platform seconds before a train entered the station. He sustained pain and bruising.

The defendant fled the scene and was arrested on January 21, 2025, after police identified him from a wanted flyer.

The case is being prosecuted by Assistant District Attorney Ashley Infante, 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.

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Thursday, February 20, 2025

Manhattan Man Sentenced to 19 Years to Life in Prison for
Shooting and Killing Teenager at Baby Shower in Queens

Defendant Fired Five Shots at SUV Carrying 19-year-old Victim

Brooklyn District Attorney Eric Gonzalez today announced that a Manhattan man has been sentenced to 19 years to life in prison for fatally shooting a young man outside a baby shower. The defendant opened fire on a BMW driven by his intended target, and instead struck the victim, who was in the passenger seat. The investigation began in Brooklyn after the victim was dropped off at a Brooklyn hospital.

District Attorney Gonzalez said, “This was an appalling act of gun violence that turned a celebration of new life into senseless tragedy. We have zero tolerance for shootings in our communities, and today’s sentence sends a message that those who commit this type of violence will face serious consequences. My condolences go out to the family of Reon Cambridge for their tremendous loss.”

The District Attorney identified the defendant as Tajai Holman, 27, of Manhattan. He was sentenced today by Brooklyn Supreme Court Justice Dineen Riviezzo to 19 years to life in prison. The defendant was convicted of second-degree murder on December 17, 2024, following a jury trial.

The District Attorney said that, according to the evidence, on March 6, 2021, at approximately 9:50 p.m., the defendant arrived at a baby shower on Weirfield Street in Ridgewood, Queens. The defendant was carrying a loaded 9-millimeter Luger pistol. At some point, the defendant became upset with another guest. When the guest left the event, at approximately 12:53 a.m., the defendant ran after their 2018 BMW X6 M and fired five times at the rear of the vehicle. None of the shots struck the BMW, which was carrying 19-year-old Reon Cambridge in the passenger seat.

Furthermore, according to the evidence, approximately an hour later, at 1:52 a.m., the guest drove back to the baby shower with Cambridge again in the passenger seat. The defendant stepped in front of the vehicle and fired five more times. Cambridge was struck once in the forehead. He was dropped off at Brookdale Hospital Medical Center in Brooklyn, where he died.

The defendant was arrested on May 19, 2021, following an investigation by the 67th Precinct.

The District Attorney thanked KCDA Detective Investigators, the Digital Evidence Lab, and the Bureau of Litigation Technology for their assistance on the case.

The case was prosecuted by Assistant District Attorney Andrea Orlando, Deputy Chief of the District Attorney’s Red Zone Trial Bureau and Assistant District Attorney Amanda Schaefer, also of the Red Zone, under the supervision of Assistant District Attorney Chow Yun Xie, Deputy Chief of the District Attorney’s Homicide Bureau, and under the overall supervision of Assistant District Attorney Leila Rosini, Chief of the Homicide Bureau.

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Wednesday, February 19, 2025

Brooklyn Man Sentenced to 20 Years to Life in Prison for
Unprovoked Fatal Stabbing of Innocent Activist

Victim Ryan Carson Was Waiting for Bus; Entire Incident Captured on Surveillance Video

Brooklyn District Attorney Eric Gonzalez today announced that a 20-year-old Brooklyn man was sentenced to 20 years to life in prison for the random and unprovoked murder of Ryan Carson, a social justice activist who was stabbed to death in Bedford Stuyvesant in 2023. The entire incident was clearly captured by a surveillance camera.

District Attorney Gonzalez said, “With today’s sentence, justice has been served – but that will not bring back Ryan Carson or all the benefits he would have brought to our communities if his life wasn’t cut short by this defendant. The tragic murder of this promising and passionate activist was beyond abhorrent and senseless, necessitating the lengthy prison term imposed in this case. We will continue to vigorously prosecute all acts of violence in Brooklyn and obtain accountability on behalf of victims and their loved ones.”

The District Attorney identified the defendant as Brian Dowling, 20, of Bedford Stuyvesant, Brooklyn. He was sentenced today to 20 years to life in prison by Brooklyn Supreme Court Justice Danny Chun, following his guilty plea to second-degree murder last month.

The District Attorney said that, according to the investigation, on October 2, 2023, at approximately 3:50 a.m., outside of 57 Malcolm X Boulevard in Bedford-Stuyvesant, the defendant was walking angrily and kicking parked scooters. He observed Ryan Carson, 32, who was walking behind him with his girlfriend.

According to the evidence, which includes a clear video of the incident, the defendant turned to the victim and started yelling at him, saying, in part, “I’m going to kill you.” He then swung a knife, striking the victim, who was trying to deescalate the confrontation. The victim attempted to flee but fell over a bus stop bench. The defendant then ran up to him and fatally stabbed him multiple times, striking his heart, as he lay on the ground.

The defendant flung the knife but returned moments later to retrieve it. A search revealed that the murder weapon was hidden under greenery next to a nearby sidewalk.

The defendant turned himself in later that week. A subsequent search warrant of his apartment discovered multiple knives with similar handles to the handle of the knife that was recovered. Clothes matching the ones that the assailant was wearing in the video were also recovered.

The case is being prosecuted by Senior Assistant District Attorney Matthew Perry, of the District Attorney’s Homicide Bureau, under the supervision of Assistant District Attorney Leila Rosini, Homicide Bureau Chief.

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Wednesday, February 19, 2025

Brooklyn Doctor Sentenced to up to Six Years in Prison
In Connection with Sexual Abuse of Female Patient

Victim was Abused by Defendant During Appointment for Sinus Infection

Brooklyn District Attorney Eric Gonzalez today announced that a Brooklyn doctor who sexually abused a patient at a clinic in Carroll Gardens and later illegally obtained her records was sentenced to up to six years in prison. He was convicted earlier this year following a jury trial.

District Attorney Gonzalez said, “This defendant used his power and stature as a doctor to victimize a vulnerable woman, which is an unconscionable betrayal. I hope today’s sentence brings some closure to the victim and her family and I remain steadfast in my commitment to protect victims of sex crimes.”

The District Attorney identified the defendant as Jamil Ibrahim, 56, of Sunset Park, Brooklyn. He was sentenced today by Brooklyn Supreme Court Justice Phyllis Chu to two to six years in prison. The defendant was convicted on January 21, 2025 of third-degree sexual abuse, third-degree burglary and computer trespass.

The District Attorney said that, according to the evidence, on March 18, 2018, the victim, a 47-year-old woman, went to the Pro Health clinic at 330 Court Street in Carroll Gardens for treatment of a sinus infection. The defendant was her doctor. As he was touching her throat, he pressed his erect penis against her inner knee/thigh area. She moved her legs further apart so he wouldn’t come into contact with her, and he pressed himself against her again, according to the evidence. This happened approximately four to five times.

After the checkup, the victim texted her friend about what happened and asked to speak to the defendant’s supervisor but was told no supervisors were available. She went home and called the police and officers came to her home. The defendant was arrested on April 22, 2018. He was later suspended from Pro Health and his access to all Pro Health clinics and computer records was terminated. However, on June 16, 2018, the defendant walked into the Pro Health clinic on 18th Avenue in Bensonhurst and obtained copies of the victim’s records.

Furthermore, two additional women who filed complaints with the New York State Department of Health alleging sexual abuse by the defendant testified at trial.

One victim, a 39-year-old woman, testified that she went to see the defendant for a bladder and sinus infection on January 9, 2014, at an Urgent Care. She testified that the defendant allegedly put a stethoscope on her back under her clothing and put his other hand on her breasts over her clothing and held it there for several seconds. The victim testified that she became alarmed and after the appointment told her husband and then reported the defendant to the Department of Health. She did not report the alleged incident to the police and the statute of limitations prohibits charges from being filed at this time.

The other alleged victim, who was 23 years old at the time, testified that she went to see the defendant at a City MD on March 23, 2014, after falling against a wooden bench and bruising her leg. She testified that when the defendant learned the woman was from Las Vegas he allegedly asked her if she was a stripper while caressing her upper thigh, which was not where she was bruised. The patient testified that she was shocked and reported the defendant to the front desk before she left. Her complaint was referred to the Department of Health.

The District Attorney thanked Paralegal Supervisor Jennifer Hernandez of the District Attorney’s Special Victims Bureau for her assistance on the case.

The case was prosecuted by Senior Assistant District Attorney Gwen Barnes and Senior Assistant District Attorney Chelsea Jacobi of the Special Victims Bureau, under the supervision of Assistant District Attorney Olatokunbo Olaniyan, First Deputy Bureau Chief and Assistant District Attorney Miss Gregory, Bureau Chief.

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Tuesday, February 18, 2025

Long Island Man Arraigned on Indictment Charging Him
With Stealing $2 Million House in Fort Greene

Alleged Theft Marks the Second Time Property was Targeted, Title Stolen

Brooklyn District Attorney Eric Gonzalez today announced that a Nassau County man has been arraigned on an indictment in which he is charged with filing a deed purporting to be the rightful owner of a three-family house, valued at over $2 million, in Fort Greene, Brooklyn.

District Attorney Gonzalez said, “Real estate fraud is a serious threat to homeowners, and in Brooklyn, we will not tolerate scammers who try to steal property through deception. This alleged scheme was uncovered thanks to the rightful owner’s vigilance, and we will now seek to hold the defendant accountable. Our Real Estate Fraud Unit is dedicated to protecting property owners, and we will continue to aggressively investigate and prosecute those who undermine the security of homeowners and the integrity of property ownership.”

The District Attorney identified the defendant as Danny Noble, 55, of Baldwin, New York.
He was arraigned today by Brooklyn Supreme Court Justice Danny Chun on an indictment in which he is charged with first-degree grand larceny, first-degree falsifying business records and first-degree offering a false instrument for filing. He was ordered held on $300,000 cash bail or $2.5 million bond, and to return to court on April 23, 2025.

The District Attorney said that, according to the indictment, between September 1, 2023 and September 15, 2023, the defendant falsely transferred the title to 71 Carlton Avenue, a three-story house in Fort Greene valued at approximately $2,170,000.

The defendant allegedly filed a deed, recorded on September 15, 2023, in which he purported to be the rightful owner of 71 Carlton Avenue. He then allegedly initiated a quiet title action in Brooklyn Supreme Court, seeking a judicial order declaring him the rightful owner of the property. The actual owner, 71 Carlton LLC, learned of the fraudulent deed and contacted the Brooklyn DA’s Action Center in December 2024.

The property’s title was also illegally transferred in 2010.

As part of the 2023 scheme, it is alleged, the defendant filed false documents with the New York City Department of Finance, Office of the City Register, which maintains land records and other real property filings in New York City, including records relating to ownership and encumbrances, such as liens and mortgages.

The District Attorney offered the following tips to homeowners to protect themselves:

• Make sure the NYC Dept. of Finance has the correct address to receive property notices.
• Designate a trusted family member or friend to receive notices if you are unable.
• Register with the NYC Department of Finance to receive automatic notifications regarding any changes to your deed or property records.
• Never sign any contract you do not understand.
• For more information visit http://brooklynda.org/deedfraud/

The District Attorney thanked KCDA Detective Investigators and Investigations Division
Intelligence Analyst Yacelys Corona for their assistance on the case.

The case is being prosecuted by Assistant District Attorney Richard Farrell, Chief of the District Attorney’s Real Estate Fraud Unit, under the supervision of Assistant District Attorney Gregory Pavlides, Chief of the District Attorney’s Frauds Bureau and Assistant District Attorney Michel Spanakos, Deputy Chief of the Investigations Division, and the overall supervision of Assistant District Attorney Patricia McNeill, Chief of the Investigations Division.

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

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Friday, February 14, 2025

Man Arraigned for Murder and Arson in Connection With
2012 Cold Case Homicide of Trans Performer

Victim was Killed Before Her Apartment Was Set on Fire;
Defendant Connected to Crime through Phone Records and Surveillance Images

Brooklyn District Attorney Eric Gonzalez, together with New York City Police Commissioner Jessica S. Tisch, today announced that a Brooklyn man has been arraigned for the 2012 murder of a trans performer known as Lorena Escalera, who was found dead in her bed after her Bushwick building burned down. The defendant was indicted based on evidence that included surveillance images, phone records and other forensic evidence.

District Attorney Gonzalez said, “Ms. Escalera came to Brooklyn to pursue her dreams of becoming a performer, but her life was brutally snuffed out instead when she was only 25. The quest for justice lasted over a decade but today we are able to charge her alleged killer who we’ll now seek to hold fully responsible for this killing and the arson that put many other lives at risk. I hope that Ms. Escalera’s loved ones and friends will find a measure of solace knowing that this tragic murder has now been solved. In Brooklyn, we protect everyone, no matter who they are, who they love or where they came from.”

NYPD Commissioner Tisch said: “Let this indictment send a clear message to those living in fear for who they are: public safety does not discriminate, and every New Yorker deserves to feel safe at home. The horrific murder of Lorena Escalera, a beloved trans performer, devastated her Brooklyn neighbors and chosen LGBTQIA+ family, who continue to face the ongoing threat of hatred and violence. I commend the NYPD investigators and the Brooklyn District Attorney’s office for their tireless efforts to bringing this heinous criminal one step closer to justice and offering a modicum of solace to Ms. Escalera’s family, friends, and loved ones within the LGBTQIA+ community.”

The District Attorney identified the defendant as Henry Pacheco, 44, of Brooklyn. He was arraigned today before Brooklyn Supreme Court Justice Jeffrey Gershuny on an indictment in which he is charged with second-degree murder, second- and third-degree arson and petit larceny. The defendant was ordered held without bail and to return to court on February 19, 2025. He faces a maximum sentence of 25 years to life in prison if convicted.

The District Attorney said that the victim was 25-year-old Lorelise Escalera Ferrer, who was known as Lorena Escalera or by her stage name Lorena Xtravaganza. According to the investigation, in the very early hours of May 12, 2012, she received multiple calls from the defendant.

Shortly after the last call, a few minutes past 2:20 a.m., surveillance video captured the defendant enter her building, 47 Furman Avenue in Bushwick, where she resided on the third floor. He was seen leaving the building over an hour later and minutes after that, a surveillance camera captured what appears to be smoke coming from the third-floor apartment. By 4 a.m., the building was consumed by heavy smoke and fire. Other residents were able to escape the blaze, but the victim was found lifeless on her bed. She was declared dead at the scene.

The Medical Examiner determined she was killed before the fire started and died of “homicidal violence of undetermined type.” The Fire Marshal concluded the fire started in the bed where she was discovered and that the fire was not natural nor accidental. A review of the victim’s phone records revealed that it received calls after she had been declared dead – and some calls were answered. Specifically, one of the answered calls came from an individual who knew the defendant and not the victim. Finally, the defendant confirmed last year that he is the person in the surveillance images from that early morning.

The case is being prosecuted by Senior Assistant District Attorney Steven Bravo, of the District Attorney’s Homicide Bureau, under the supervision of Assistant District Attorney Leila Rosini, Homicide Bureau Chief.

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