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Thursday, December 19, 2024

Man Indicted for Fatally Stabbing Another Man
On Subway in Coney Island Following Dispute

Defendant Allegedly Stabbed Victim in Leg and Torso

Brooklyn District Attorney Eric Gonzalez today announced that a homeless man has been arraigned on an indictment in which he is charged with murder for fatally stabbing a man on an N train at the Stillwell Avenue-Coney Island stop following a dispute.

District Attorney Gonzalez said, “This was a tragic and senseless murder that is particularly frightening as it took place aboard a subway car with several commuters. There is no place for this type of violence in Brooklyn. We will now seek to get justice for the victim and his loved ones.”

The District Attorney identified the defendant as Zhongqian Chen, 32. The defendant was arraigned today before Brooklyn Supreme Court Justice Dineen Riviezzo on an indictment in which he is charged with second-degree murder and fourth-degree criminal possession of a weapon. The defendant was held without bail and ordered to return to court on February 7, 2025. He faces up to 25 years to life in prison if convicted of the top count.

The District Attorney said that, according to the investigation, on October 29, 2024, at approximately 11:10 p.m., the defendant approached the victim, Timothy Rudolph, 54, while both were on the N train at the Stillwell Avenue-Coney Island stop. The defendant allegedly attacked the victim, and the two men began to fight. The defendant then allegedly displayed a knife and stabbed the victim two times, once in the torso and once in the leg.

The victim, a resident of the Bronx, was taken to NYU Langone Hospital – Brooklyn, where he was pronounced dead.

The defendant fled the scene and was arrested on November 7, 2024, following an investigation.

Anyone with information about this incident is urged to contact Crimestoppers at 1-800-577-TIPS.

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

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Thursday, December 19, 2024

Brooklyn District Attorney’s Virtual Currency Unit Developed New
Technique for Fighting Crypto Scams – Seizing Fraudsters’ Email Lists

Enabled DA’s Office to Warn Victims to Stop Investing; Used in Long-Term Investigation That
Shuttered 70 Bogus Domains That Were Scamming Members of Brooklyn’s Russian Community

Brooklyn District Attorney Eric Gonzalez today announced that following a long-term investigation, his Virtual Currency Unit successfully disrupted a cryptocurrency scam operation that targeted members of the Russian community, shuttering 70 fraudulent domains that caused an estimated $1 million loss in Brooklyn and $5 million nationwide. Investigators used a novel way to disrupt the illegal scheme by seizing the mail server used by the scammers, extracting data and contact information for everyone the scammers were communicating with, and emailing alerts to over 1,200 identified victims, advising them to stop sending money to what were fake investment websites. Those actions are part of an ongoing effort to stem cryptocurrency schemes in the Russian community and beyond.

Brooklyn District Attorney Eric Gonzalez said, “We are using every tool at our disposal to stop crypto investment scams. Since recovering lost funds is often impossible because they’re typically quickly cashed overseas, we focus on disruption and education. In this successful investigation, we used a new technique of seizing the email servers and warning victims that the investments they made were fake, preventing untold losses. We also hosted a seminar in the Russian community this week to educate the public. I am committed to continue to protect Brooklyn residents from these pervasive digital crimes.”

The District Attorney said that after a long-term investigation, his Virtual Currency Unit seized 70 web domains that offered fake cryptocurrency investment services, mostly to members of the Russian community.  This follows a previous seizure in May of another 70 domains, bringing the total amount of shuttered domains linked to this scheme to 140. The estimated losses of the scheme added up to $1 million in Brooklyn and $5 million throughout the US.

The purported financial advisers who communicated with the victims used a web-based mail server, the investigation found. For the first time anywhere in this type of probe, Brooklyn prosecutors were able to execute warrants to seize and take control of the server, cutting off the scammers from the victims, their contact lists, and address books. Earlier this week, the DA’s Office sent an email blast to about 1,200 email addresses that were extracted from the server, warning users that “advisers” emailing them from “stocks-finance.com” addresses were scammers and to immediately stop sending money.

Also this week, the DA’s Office joined federal partners – the Commodity Futures Trading Commission, the Security and Exchange Commission and the FBI – in hosting an educational seminar in Brighton Beach. Over 100 people attended and received tips on how to recognize warning signs and how to protect themselves from crypto-based investment scams.

The District Attorney shared the following tips on how to protect people from these cryptocurrency scams:

• Don’t trust cryptocurrency investment opportunities that seem too good to be true.
• Do not make cryptocurrency investments based on the advice of someone you’ve never met in person.
• Don’t download investment apps from unverified cryptocurrency investment websites.
• Verify the legitimacy of a company. Ask a friend, family member, or contact the KCDA Command center if you are unsure if something is legitimate.

• Do not pay more money in order to try and recover your investment from a cryptocurrency website.
• Check whether a cryptocurrency exchange is licensed to operate in New York State by going to https://www.dfs.ny.gov/who_we_supervise or calling the New York State Department of Financial Services hotline at 800-342-3736.

The investigation into this case was handled by Assistant District Attorney Alona Katz, Chief of the Virtual Currency Unit, with assistance from Virtual Currency Analyst Sam Weaver, Assistant District Attorney Brian Umana, a Senior Detective Investigator and paralegal Claire Fagan.

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Flyer distributed in the Russian community by the Brooklyn DA’s Office

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Monday, December 16, 2024

Brooklyn Man Sentenced to 18 Years to Life in Prison for Machete Attack That Killed

Grandfather and Wounded Two Other Family Members

Defendant Pleaded Guilty to Second-Degree Murder in November

Brooklyn District Attorney Eric Gonzalez today announced that a Brooklyn man has been sentenced to 18 years to life in prison for fatally stabbing his grandfather with a machete and wounding two other family members, including a 4-year-old niece, during a rampage at the family’s home in Bedford-Stuyvesant.

District Attorney Gonzalez said, “This sentence holds the defendant accountable for a tragic, senseless, and truly horrific act of violence perpetrated against members of his own family. My condolences go out to the family of James Dubose Sr. for their tremendous loss. Thankfully, the other two victims recovered from their wounds.”

The District Attorney identified the defendant as Dayquan Dubose, 26, of Bedford-Stuyvesant, Brooklyn. He was sentenced on Friday, December 13, 2024 by Brooklyn Supreme Court Justice Michael Kitsis to 18 years to life in prison following his guilty plea to second-degree murder on November 14, 2024.

The District Attorney said that, according to the evidence, on January 3, 2021, at approximately 5 p.m., the defendant got into an argument with his four-year-old niece inside a first-floor apartment located at 300 Putnam Avenue. The defendant pulled out an 18-inch machete and cut the young girl on the hip. The defendant then went up to a second-floor apartment where an uncle let him in. The defendant proceeded to walk into a bedroom where his 79-year-old grandfather, James Dubose Sr., and his 49-year-old brother-in-law were watching television. The defendant began to stab the grandfather in the abdomen. When the brother-in-law intervened, and attempted to grab the machete, the defendant slashed the brother-in-law on the hand. Two additional family members were able to hold the defendant down until police arrived at the apartment and arrested him.

James Dubose Sr. was taken to Interfaith Medical Center where he later died of injuries.

The 49-year-old was taken to Kings County Hospital, while the 4-year-old girl was taken to Woodhull Hospital. Both were treated for their injuries and released.

The case was prosecuted by Senior Assistant District Attorney Farin Chasin-Fodeman, of the District Attorney’s Domestic Violence Bureau, under the supervision of Assistant District Attorney Kori Medow, Bureau Chief.

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Friday, December 6, 2024

Brooklyn District Attorney Shuts Down 40 Domains Associated With NFT
Crypto Scam Targeting Artists, After Brooklyn Painter Lost Over $135,000

Victim Was Contacted with Offer to Sell His Artwork in NFT Marketplace Through Website That Turned Out to be Bogus; Lost Life Savings Trying to Access Purported Bitcoin Earnings

Brooklyn District Attorney Eric Gonzalez today announced that his Virtual Currency Unit successfully disrupted a cryptocurrency scam that was targeting artists throughout the country. An 85-year-old Brooklyn resident was scammed out of his life savings, sparking an investigation that traced the money he paid back to Nigeria and identified 40 scam NFT art marketplace sites that appeared like legitimate marketplaces. Those domains have now been seized, preventing future victimizations.

District Attorney Gonzalez said, “Cryptocurrency scams can take many forms but have similar characteristics, such as preying on vulnerable victims and requesting fees to redeem purported earnings. These were the tactics used in this case, leading our investigators to a network of fraudulent websites that specifically scammed artists. It is my hope that by shutting these domains and raising awareness about this scheme, we will prevent others from falling victim to this scam.”

The District Attorney said that in May his office received a report by the children of an 85-year-old professional painter from Clinton Hill, Brooklyn, relating that their father was deceived by an online scammer posing as an art dealer. He was contacted via LinkedIn by a purported dealer for “OpenSea/Private Mint,” a company whose website closely resembles that of OpenSea, a legitimate NFT marketplace headquartered in New York City. (NFTs, or non-fungible tokens are digital assets that are stored on the blockchain and can represent content, such as digital artwork, that can be sold or traded.)

The so-called art dealer told the victim that she wanted to convert his art into NFTs and sell them, convincing him to sign a contract on the fake site. She later told him that he had earned over $300,000 in bitcoin and that he needed to first pay a fee to access those proceeds. To get the bitcoin he sent “OpenSea/Private Mint” over $135,000 by liquidating his entire IRA account, making payments from his credit card and securing a loan. He used online services to convert his money into cryptocurrency to pay the fees. The fraud unraveled when he eventually realized that he was not getting the promised $300,000, leaving him emotionally and financially devastated.

The District Attorney’s Virtual Currency Unit traced the cryptocurrency that the victim sent to “OpenSea/Private Mint” and found it had been transferred to different accounts at an exchange and primarily cashed out for Nigerian currency — foreclosing the ability for recovery. The OpenSea/Private Mint website appeared to be controlled and paid for from Nigeria. The investigation identified two other senior artists from Georgia and California who had fallen for the same scheme and a network of scam NFT marketplaces that appeared to be targeting artists. Some of the websites required a user to input their cryptocurrency wallet seed phrase, which would give scammers the ability to completely drain the contents of users’ online wallet.

While unable to recover the stolen money that was outside U.S. jurisdiction, investigators were able to identify over 40 scam NFT art marketplace sites for which they submitted seizure orders. These domains have now been seized and redirected to a KCDA seizure page with a warning message. Many of them appeared to be spoofing legitimate NFT marketplaces.

The District Attorney shared the following warning signs and tips to avoid this type of NFT art cryptocurrency scam:

• • An artist may receive a direct message via an online account from someone purporting to be an art dealer or a representative of a legitimate NFT marketplace. It is important to verify the authenticity of any online art and NFT dealers before engaging.
  • Only use established and trusted NFT marketplaces to sell your work. Be alert for phishing attempts via email or phishing websites that appear to resemble well known NFT marketplaces. Phishing websites are often designed to steal credentials and fraudulently gain access to cryptocurrency assets.  Legitimate NFT marketplaces do not ask for exorbitant fees upfront to sell NFTs.
  • Protect your cryptocurrency wallet. No legitimate NFT marketplace will ask you to supply your seed phrase. Inputting your seed phrase on a website can lead to a scammer instantaneously draining the contents of your entire wallet.
  • If it seems too good to be true, it likely is. Do your own research and seek opinions from fellow artists.

The case was investigated by Assistant District Attorney Alona Katz, Chief of the District Attorney’s Virtual Currency Unit with the assistance of Virtual Currency Analyst Sam Weaver, Assistant District Attorney Brian Umana, of the Virtual Currency Unit, and Paralegal Claire Fagan. Detective Investigators from the KCDA Detective Bureau also assisted in the investigation.

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Wednesday, December 4, 2024

Bronx Man Sentenced to 20 Years in Prison for
Stabbing Two Bouncers, One Fatally, Outside of Gowanus Club

Defendant Pleaded Guilty to Manslaughter in October

Brooklyn District Attorney Eric Gonzalez today announced that a Bronx man has been sentenced to 20 years in prison for stabbing two bouncers with a knife – killing one and wounding the other – after being kicked out of a party in Gowanus.

District Attorney Gonzalez said, “This was a senseless and escalatory act of violence that cost a man his life. The defendant has admitted his guilt and will now have to live with the disastrous consequences of his actions.”

The District Attorney identified the defendant as Jose Velasco, 22, of the Morrisania section of the Bronx. He was sentenced today by Brooklyn Supreme Court Justice Danny Chun to 20 years in prison and five years’ post-release supervision. The defendant pleaded guilty to first-degree manslaughter on October 16, 2024.

The District Attorney said that, according to the evidence, on February 26, 2022, at approximately 10:35 p.m., the defendant was kicked out of a party at a club located at 168 7th Street in Gowanus after acting aggressively. Outside of the venue, the defendant got into a verbal dispute with three of the club’s bouncers, two of whom punched the defendant in the head and face. The defendant took a step backward and removed a kitchen knife from his waistband. He stabbed one of the bouncers, 21, in the back. The defendant then chased the third bouncer, Marvin Pretto, 25, into the street, and stabbed him in the chest.

Pretto sustained injuries to a major blood vessel and his heart. He was taken to Brooklyn Methodist Hospital where he was pronounced dead.

The 21-year-old victim was also taken to Brooklyn Methodist Hospital. He was later transferred to Stony Brook Medical Center and treated for his injuries which included a laceration to the liver.

Furthermore, according to the evidence, the defendant was stopped by police approximately an hour later near the intersection of 2nd Avenue and 13th Street in Gowanus. As officers approached, the defendant dropped the blood-stained kitchen knife onto the ground. He was brought back to the club and identified by an eyewitness.

The case was prosecuted by Senior Assistant District Attorney Joseph Mancino, of the District Attorney’s Homicide Bureau, under the supervision of Assistant District Attorney Leila Rosini, Bureau Chief.

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Tuesday, October 29, 2024

Brooklyn Man Sentenced to 10 Years in Prison for
Stabbing and Kicking Subway Passenger

Victim Had Asked Defendant, who was Screaming Profanities, to Lower His Voice

Brooklyn District Attorney Eric Gonzalez today announced that a Brooklyn man was sentenced to 10 years in prison for pulling out a kitchen knife on the subway and stabbing a stranger in the back, then kicking him repeatedly about the face after he fell to the floor.

District Attorney Gonzalez said, “This was a senseless and frightening act of violence against someone who asked for basic courtesy on the subway. We are relieved the victim escaped more serious harm, but no one should have to experience such violence during their daily commute. Today’s sentence ensures the defendant is held accountable and reinforces our commitment to keeping our transit system safe.”

The District Attorney identified the defendant as Sadam Adames, 33, of Brownsville, Brooklyn. He was sentenced yesterday by Brooklyn Supreme Court Justice Heidi Cesare to 10 years in prison and five years’ post-release supervision. The defendant was convicted of first-degree attempted assault on September 18, 2024, following a jury trial.

The District Attorney said that, according to the evidence, on September 13, 2022, at approximately 12:40 p.m., the defendant was on a number 2 train traveling through Brooklyn toward Manhattan. When the defendant boarded the train at Winthrop Street, he began screaming profanities into his phone, alarming the other passengers. When a 49-year-old man on the train asked him to lower his voice the defendant walked down the train car, stood over the man, pulled a kitchen knife out of his bag, and attempted to stab the man in his stomach.

The victim was able to grab the defendant’s hand and the two struggled, according to the evidence. The defendant managed to stab the victim in the back and throw him on to the seats. The victim then fell to the floor and the defendant subsequently kicked the victim in the face multiple times. The train then pulled into the Bergen Street station and the defendant left the train.

The victim was treated by paramedics at the scene and taken to Methodist Hospital where he received three stitches to his back and was treated for bruising to his face and lacerations to his lip. The defendant was positively identified by a witness who saw the attack and recorded it on his cell phone. He was identified and arrested the next day after his photo was released to the media.

Intelligence Analyst Fatima Shaihk of the District Attorney’s Digital Evidence Lab assisted with this case.

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

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Friday, October 18, 2024

Brooklyn Man Sentenced to Three-and-a-Half Years in Prison
For Assaulting and Slashing Stranger with Knife

Defendant Also Assaulted Bystander Who Tried to Intervene

Brooklyn District Attorney Eric Gonzalez announced today that a Bushwick man has been sentenced to three-and-a-half years in prison for slashing a stranger on the street with a knife and attacking a bystander who tried to intervene.

District Attorney Gonzalez said, “Keeping the people of Brooklyn safe is my highest priority, and violent offenders such as this defendant will face serious consequences. Today’s sentence holds him accountable for a random and vicious assault.”

The District Attorney identified the defendant as Michael Ruiz, 46, of Bushwick, Brooklyn. The defendant was sentenced today by Brooklyn Supreme Court Justice Laura Johnson to three-and-a-half years in prison and three years’ post-release supervision. (The DA’s Office recommended a five-year sentence.) The defendant was convicted of second-degree assault and third-degree attempted assault on August 19, following a jury trial.

The District Attorney said that, according to the evidence, on June 28, 2022, at approximately 2:15 a.m., the victim, a 39-year-old man, was talking on the phone outside his apartment on Berry Street, in Greenpoint. He was approached by the defendant, a stranger, who told him, “I own this block” and threatened to kill him. The defendant left, went to his car, and returned with a knife. He continued to threaten the victim.

When a bystander tried to intervene, according to the evidence, the defendant punched the man in the face. He then turned his attention back to the victim and kicked him to the ground. As the victim lay on the ground, the defendant repeatedly kicked his face and slashed him across the arm with a knife.

The victim was treated for a fractured orbital bone, a laceration under his eye, and a laceration across his arm requiring approximately 15 stitches.

The attack was captured on surveillance footage.

The defendant was arrested on October 6, 2022.

The case was prosecuted by Senior Assistant District Attorney Sanam Shah, and Assistant District Attorney Alexander John Davis, both of the District Attorney’s Grey Zone Trial Bureau, under the supervision of Assistant District Attorney Courtney Hogg, Deputy Bureau Chief, and the overall supervision of Assistant District Attorney Robert Walsh, Bureau Chief.

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Tuesday, October 15, 2024

Brooklyn Man Sentenced to Eight Years in State Prison for
Attempted Sexual Assault of Woman in Williamsburg

Defendant Broke Down Victim’s Door and Attacked Her While She Slept;
Defendant Left Wallet and Identification at Scene

Brooklyn District Attorney Eric Gonzalez announced today that an East New York man has been sentenced to eight years in prison for attempting to sexually assault a woman who was asleep in her bedroom in Williamsburg. Her screams alerted her roommate, who struggled with the defendant. He then fled – dropping his wallet and identification at the scene.

District Attorney Gonzalez said, “This defendant broke into a young woman’s home in the middle of the night and attempted to sexually assault her as she slept—an alarming violation of her safety and privacy. Thanks to the victim’s courage and her roommate’s quick response, he was apprehended before he could cause further harm. Today’s sentence ensures that the defendant is held accountable for this terrifying crime. We remain committed to seeking justice for survivors of sexual violence and making Brooklyn safer for all.”

The District Attorney identified the defendant as Akijah Hall, 29, of Ashford Street, Brooklyn. He was sentenced today by Brooklyn Supreme Court Justice Heidi Cesare to eight years in prison and 15 years’ post-release supervision. The defendant pleaded guilty to second-degree burglary as a sexually motivated felony, first-degree attempted criminal sexual act, and first-degree sexual abuse on August 15, 2024, in exchange for the Court’s promised sentence of eight years.

The District Attorney said that, according to the investigation, on October 11, 2019, at approximately 4:30 a.m., the defendant forcibly broke into an apartment on Grand Street in Williamsburg, Brooklyn, by breaking the door off the hinges. He went into the bedroom of a 25-year-old woman who woke up to find him next to her bed, with his hand on her mouth and his other hand on her breast.

The victim screamed, according to the evidence, and woke up her roommate, who was sleeping in another room. The roommate struggled with the defendant, and he fled the apartment. During the struggle the defendant dropped his jacket and his wallet, which contained his New York State identification card (with his name, photo and home address) and his college student ID card, according to the evidence. He also dropped a coffee mug, which contained his DNA.

Furthermore, according to the evidence, after leaving the scene the defendant went to the 75th Precinct to make a police report claiming he lost his jacket, wallet, and identification. A few hours later, he was arrested outside of his residence.

The case was prosecuted by Assistant District Attorney Kevin O’Donnell, Deputy Chief of the District Attorney’s Special Victims’ Bureau, under the supervision of Assistant District Attorney Miss Gregory, Bureau Chief.

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Monday, October 7, 2024

East Flatbush Man Arraigned on Attempted Murder and Other Charges for Randomly Attacking Multiple Women During Violent Spree

Alleged Assaults Happened Minutes Apart in Flatlands

Brooklyn District Attorney Eric Gonzalez today announced that an East Flatbush man has been arraigned on an indictment in which he is charged with attempted murder, assault, and other charges after he allegedly attacked two women in Flatlands during a violent and unprovoked spree. The defendant has also been charged with third-degree assault on a separate criminal complaint for allegedly attacking a third woman earlier that day.

District Attorney Gonzalez said, “This defendant allegedly committed a series of terrifying and unprovoked attacks against multiple women, and my Office is working diligently to ensure that he is no longer a danger to our community. We have no tolerance for this kind of random violence in Brooklyn.”

The District Attorney identified the defendant as Damally Cain, 24, of East Flatbush, Brooklyn. He was arraigned today before Brooklyn Supreme Court Justice Deepa Ambekar on an indictment in which he is charged with second-degree attempted murder, first-degree attempted assault, two counts of second-degree assault, second- and third-degree attempted robbery, fourth-degree attempted grand larceny, and third-degree assault. The defendant is being held on $30,000 bond or $15,000 cash bail and was ordered to return to court on December 12, 2024.

The District Attorney said that, according to the investigation, on August 18, 2024, at approximately 4:42 p.m., near the intersection of East 40th Street and Hubbard Place, in Flatlands, the defendant allegedly attacked a 66-year-old woman on the street. After approaching the victim, the defendant allegedly pulled the woman to the ground. He punched and kicked her in the face, grabbing her by the hair and slamming her head against the pavement. After a bystander intervened, the defendant allegedly fled the scene, leaving behind several of his personal belongings, including his passport and Social Security card.

Less than 10 minutes later, at 4:50 p.m., the defendant allegedly attacked a 35-year-old woman near 1707 Flatbush Avenue and attempted to steal her phone and wallet. During the assault, the defendant ripped a ponytail extension off the victim’s head and threw a drink in her face. He also punched her body and face.

The 66-year-old victim was taken to Mount Sinai and treated for bruising, lacerations, and an abrasion on her forehead. The 35-year-old victim refused medical attention at the scene.

Furthermore, the defendant has also been charged with third-degree assault on a separate criminal complaint for allegedly attacking a 52-year-old woman on August 18, 2024, at approximately 4:30 p.m., near 1608 Flatbush Avenue. According to the investigation, the defendant pulled the victim to the ground, causing injuries to her elbow, knee, and back. The incident was captured on surveillance video.

The defendant was arrested on August 22, 2024.

The case is being prosecuted by Assistant District Attorney Amanda Schaefer of the District Attorney’s Red Zone Trial Bureau, under the supervision of Assistant District Attorney Karla Watson, 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, September 12, 2024

Unlicensed Long Island Driver Sentenced to up to 15 Years in Prison
for Wrong Way Crash that Paralyzed Woman from Neck Down

Defendant Was Under the Influence of PCP and Marijuana When He Collided with an Uber in East Williamsburg

Brooklyn District Attorney Eric Gonzalez today announced that a Long Island man has been sentenced to up to 15 years in prison following his conviction for aggravated vehicular assault and other charges after causing a wrong way collision in East Williamsburg in 2021. The defendant, whose license had previously been revoked, was driving under the influence of PCP and marijuana when he crashed into an Uber vehicle, leaving one of its passengers a quadriplegic.

District Attorney Gonzalez said, “This defendant’s reckless decision to drive while under the influence of drugs forever altered the life of a young woman, leaving her with catastrophic injuries and a lifetime of challenges. His actions that night were a threat to everyone on the road, and his callous disregard for the law and for human life has left a family devastated. My office is deeply committed to pursuing justice for victims and ensuring that drug-impaired drivers are held accountable.”

The District Attorney identified the defendant as Virgilio Rodriguez, 51, of Rockville Center, Long Island. He was sentenced today to 7 ½ to 15 years in prison by Brooklyn Supreme Court Justice Eugene Guarino. The defendant was convicted of aggravated vehicular assault, second-degree assault, and driving while ability impaired by drugs on August 2, 2024, following a jury trial.

The District Attorney said that, according to the evidence, on November 6, 2021, at approximately 12:49 a.m., the defendant was driving a Ford F-150 truck in East Williamsburg at a high rate of speed when he ran a red light and turned onto Bushwick Place, going the wrong way on a one-way street. The defendant then t-boned a Hyundai Elantra ride-share vehicle carrying two passengers. The impact sent both vehicles onto the sidewalk and into the side of a building.

Furthermore, according to the evidence, the defendant then exited the Ford truck and began to undress in the middle of the street while shouting, “I’m alive.” The defendant briefly left the scene on foot before returning and trying to re-enter the Ford truck. He was then stopped by police who found PCP and marijuana in the vehicle’s center console. The defendant was observed to show signs of being impaired by drugs. After being taken to the 78th Police Precinct, the defendant stripped down to his underwear. He began chanting and crawling on the ground before attempting to climb the bars of his holding cell.

One of the passengers in the Uber, a 28-year-old woman, was rushed to Elmhurst Hospital in critical condition where she underwent emergency spinal surgery. On November 7, 2021, the victim was transferred to Mount Sinai Hospital, where she was placed on a ventilator due to respiratory failure. She remained on the ventilator for over a month and underwent a tracheostomy to assist her breathing. The victim remained hospitalized at Mount Sinai until March 8, 2022, and continues to receive round-the-clock medical care.

The second passenger, 27, and driver of the Uber, 39, were taken to Elmhurst Hospital and treated for minor injuries.

The District Attorney thanked Paralegals Toki Kim and Alexee Hernandez, of the Grey Zone Trial Bureau, and Digital Forensic Analyst Kelly Crawford for their assistance on the case.

The case was prosecuted by Senior Assistant District Attorney Tara Kelly and Senior Assistant District Attorney Patrick O’Donnell, of the District Attorney’s Grey Zone Trial Bureau, under the supervision of Assistant District Attorney Robert Walsh, Chief of the Grey Zone.

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