About Ernest Johnson

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Wednesday, November 28, 2018

Bedford Stuyvesant Man Indicted on Arson and Burglary as Hate Crimes for Allegedly Setting Fire Inside Yeshiva and Vandalizing Synagogue

Defendant Apprehended After Allegedly Setting Trash Cans on Fire

Brooklyn District Attorney Eric Gonzalez today announced that a 26-year-old man has been named in a 30-count indictment in which he is charged with arson and burglary as hate crimes and other related offenses in connection with two separate incidents in which he allegedly set a fire in a closet of a Williamsburg yeshiva and wrote anti-Semitic graffiti on the walls of a synagogue in Prospect Heights.

District Attorney Gonzalez said, “These alleged bias-motivated crimes are disheartening and undermine the values that we hold dear in our community. In Brooklyn, people of all faiths, cultures, ethnicities, and races should feel safe. The defendant in this case has now been indicted and I intend to hold him accountable.”

The District Attorney identified the defendant as James Polite, 26, of Bedford Stuyvesant, Brooklyn. He was arraigned today before Brooklyn Supreme Court Justice Danny Chun on a 30-count indictment in which he is charged with second-degree arson as a hate crime, third-degree burglary as a hate crime, second-degree criminal mischief as a hate crime and other related offenses. He was ordered held without bail and to return to court on February 6, 2019. The defendant faces up to 25 years in prison if convicted of the top count.

The District Attorney said that, according to the investigation, on November 1, 2018, at approximately 6 p.m., the defendant entered 17 Eastern Parkway in Prospect Heights, which houses the Union Temple of Brooklyn. It is alleged that he wrote anti-Semitic messages and other graffiti, including “End is now” on the walls of several floors in the building.

The following day, at approximately 2:39 a.m., the defendant was observed on surveillance video entering a yeshiva at 35 Hewes Street in Williamsburg and going into a coat room on the first floor of the building, where he allegedly set a fire. The defendant remained in the room for approximately one minute before leaving the location. Within minutes, the area outside of the coat room began to fill with smoke. Prior to the fire, the defendant was captured on surveillance video entering a gas station and obtaining matches.

The defendant was apprehended on November 2, 2018 after witnesses allegedly saw him setting a trash can on fire near 134 Ross Street in Williamsburg and called 911. The officers who responded later recognized the defendant as the suspect captured on surveillance footage at the earlier crime scenes.

The case is being prosecuted by Assistant District Attorney Christopher Eribo, Deputy Chief of the District Attorney’s Civil Rights Bureau, under the overall supervision of Executive Assistant District Attorney Joseph P. Alexis, Chief of the Trial Division.

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

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Wednesday, November 28, 2018

Flatbush Man Convicted of Assault for Broad Daylight
Shooting of Innocent Man Outside of Barclays Center

Victim Was Exiting the Subway When He Was Struck

Brooklyn District Attorney Eric Gonzalez today announced that a 30-year-old Brooklyn man was convicted of first-degree assault and first-degree attempted assault for shooting a 50-year-old man in the ankle outside of the Barclays Center last year.

District Attorney Gonzalez said, “This defendant fired numerous shots in the middle of the day in a busy area, endangering scores of innocent people. Luckily no one was killed. This verdict underscores our commitment to the safety of the people of Brooklyn.”

The District Attorney identified the defendant as Jonathan Cordoba, 30, of Flatbush, Brooklyn. He was convicted yesterday of one count of first-degree assault and one count of first-degree attempted assault following a jury trial before Brooklyn Supreme Court Justice John Hecht, who set sentencing for December 12, 2018.

The District Attorney said that, according to the evidence, on June 14, 2017, at approximately 2:05 p.m., on Flatbush Avenue, near the Barclays Center, the victim, a 50-year-old man who had just exited the subway and was walking to work, heard and saw two people arguing on the street. One of the men was the defendant. The victim saw a gun in the defendant’s hand and began to run. He then heard multiple shots fired, was struck in the foot and fell to the ground.

While on the ground, according to trial testimony, the victim saw the defendant fire additional shots at the person with whom he was arguing; that person was not struck. A witness called 911 and the victim was taken to the hospital and treated for a gunshot wound to the ankle.

The defendant was arrested on June 21, 2017, after he was identified from surveillance video.

The case was prosecuted by Senior Assistant District Attorneys Farin Chasin-Fodeman and Yasmine Meyer, of the District Attorney’s Orange Zone Trial Bureau, under the supervision of Assistant District Attorney Janet Gleeson, Bureau Chief.

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Wednesday, November 20, 2018

Defendant Who Attacked Three Men Near Gay Nightclub
Convicted of First-Degree Assault

Slashed One Victim Inside Restaurant and Attacked Two Others Outside

Brooklyn District Attorney Eric Gonzalez today announced that a 34-year-old Brooklyn man has been convicted of first-degree assault and other charges for slashing one man, menacing another with a weapon and stabbing a third near a gay nightclub in Bedford-Stuyvesant.

District Attorney Gonzalez said, “This defendant viciously assaulted three innocent men for no reason. Such brutal violence cannot be tolerated, and today’s verdict holds him accountable and delivers justice for the victims.”

The District Attorney identified the defendant as James Thomas, a.k.a., Mousey Baby, 34, of Prospect Heights. He was convicted today following a jury trial before Brooklyn Supreme Court Justice Donald Leo of first-degree assault, second-degree assault, second-degree menacing and fourth-degree criminal possession of a weapon. The defendant faces up to 33 years in prison when he’s sentenced on December 12, 2018.

The District Attorney said that, according to the evidence, on March 5, 2017, at approximately 4:30 a.m., inside a Crown Fried Chicken restaurant located at 1147 Fulton Street, the defendant, who is a local rapper, shouted at various patrons inside of the restaurant, many of whom had just exited the nearby Langston Club, which is a predominantly gay night club. The defendant slashed the first victim in the face with a knife and then left the restaurant.

The defendant then confronted two other men who had also left Langston Club and were attempting to walk into the same restaurant. He pushed the second victim up against a wall, menaced him with a knife and stabbed the third victim twice in the torso and once in the shoulder when he tried to come to his friend’s aid. Police responded to the scene, but the defendant had already fled the area.

The first stabbing victim was taken to the hospital and received 18 stitches on the left side of his face. The second stabbing victim received three stitches to the torso and was hospitalized overnight.

The defendant turned himself into police at the 79th precinct stationhouse on March 9, 2017, after video surveillance footage from the scene was released to the media.

The case was investigated by New York City Police Department Detective Andrew Smart of the Hate Crimes Task Force.

The case was prosecuted by Assistant District Attorney T. Peter Choi, of the District Attorney’s Civil Rights Bureau, and Assistant District Attorney Kelli M. Muse, Deputy Bureau Chief, under the overall supervision of Executive District Attorney Joseph P. Alexis, Chief of the Trial Division.

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Tuesday, November 20, 2018

Brooklyn Man Arraigned on Indictments Charging Him
With Six Burglaries in Borough Park, Including two Synagogues

Defendant Captured on Video Surveillance at Each Crime Scene

Brooklyn District Attorney Eric Gonzalez today announced that a 50-year-old Brooklyn man was arraigned on two separate indictments for allegedly committing a string of six burglaries in Borough Park in September and October 2018, including breaking into two synagogues and a religious school. 

District Attorney Gonzalez said, “This defendant is allegedly a professional burglar whose crime spree violated the sanctity of religious institutions, among other places, from which he stole cash and religious items. We will now seek to hold him accountable.” 

The District Attorney identified the defendant as Charles Cajigas, 50, of Dyker Heights, Brooklyn. He was arraigned yesterday before Brooklyn Supreme Court Justice William Miller on two indictments in which he is charged with third-degree burglary, fourth-degree grand larceny, petit larceny, criminal trespass and other charges. He was ordered held on $75,000 bail and to return to court on January 11, 2019.  

The District Attorney said that, according to the investigation, the defendant was charged in connection with the following incidents: 

• On September 15, at approximately 1:30 a.m., the defendant allegedly burglarized a commercial establishment located at 4520 18 Avenue.
• On September 25, 2018, at approximately 1:30 a.m., the defendant allegedly burglarized the Kedishas Aharon Synagogue located at 1350 39^th Street and stole two silver crowns used in religious services.
• On September 25, 2018, at approximately 2:20 a.m., the defendant allegedly burglarized a commercial establishment located at 4605 13^th Avenue.
• On October 7, 2018, at approximately 1:22 a.m., the defendant allegedly burglarized Gan Yisroel School, located at 3909 15^th Avenue.
• On October 8, 2018, at approximately 4:20 a.m., the defendant allegedly burglarized the Seret Wiznitz Synagogue, located at 4811 13^th Avenue.
• On October 21, 2018, at approximately 4:25 a.m., the defendant allegedly burglarized a commercial establishment located at 4724 18^th Avenue. 

The defendant was arrested on October 23, 2018, after the New York City Police Department’s Facial Recognition Program identified him as a possible suspect. Following his arrest, he allegedly identified himself on video surveillance taken from the crime scenes and told the police where the religious items could be located. 

The case is being prosecuted by Senior Assistant District Attorney Krystyn Tendy, of the District Attorney’s Grey Zone Trial Bureau, under the supervision of Assistant District Attorney Danielle Eaddy, Bureau Chief.  

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

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Monday, November 19, 2018

East New York Man Sentenced to 18 Years in Prison for
Fatally Bludgeoning Unarmed Man

Struck Victim with Metal Rod and Concrete

Brooklyn District Attorney Eric Gonzalez today announced that a 33-year-old man has been sentenced to 18 years in prison for killing a 26-year-old man by bludgeoning him with a rod that was connected to a chunk of concrete during a confrontation on an East New York street.

District Attorney Gonzalez said, “This defendant senselessly killed a beloved young man for absolutely no reason at all. Such wanton violence, which devastates families and destabilizes communities, will never be condoned and I hope that today’s sentence brings some measure of justice to the victim’s loved ones.”

The District Attorney identified the defendant as Kurt Heusel, 33, of East New York, Brooklyn. He was sentenced today to 18 years in prison and five years’ post-release supervision by Brooklyn Supreme Court Justice Miriam Cyrulnik following his conviction in August of first-degree manslaughter after a non-jury trial.

The District Attorney said that, according to testimony, on June 30, 2016, at approximately 1:30 a.m., at the vicinity of Elderts Lane and Dumont Avenue in East New York, the defendant killed Zuriyah Nasi Benyehudah, 26. The victim was a cook and delivery man who published a poetry book called Zuriano’s Black Book Volume 1.

The evidence showed that the defendant confronted the victim, falsely claiming he was trying to help a woman who was being stalked, and pinned him to the ground. He then grabbed a metal rod that had a chunk of concrete on the end and used it like a sledgehammer to strike the victim in the back of the head, killing him.

The defendant was arrested in October 2016.

The case was prosecuted by Senior Assistant District Attorney Chow Xie, of the District Attorney’s Homicide Bureau, and Assistant District Attorney Cory Jones of the Red Zone Trial Bureau, under the supervision of Assistant District Attorney Timothy Gough, Homicide Bureau Chief.

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Thursday, November 15, 2018

Staten Island Man Indicted on Assault and Menacing as Hate Crimes
For Allegedly Assaulting Jewish Man in Borough Park

Allegedly Swerved his Car Towards Another Jewish Man;
Did Not Attack Another Person Who Wasn’t Wearing Hasidic Garb

Brooklyn District Attorney Eric Gonzalez today announced that a 38-year-old man was arraigned on an indictment in which he is charged with assault as a hate crime, menacing as a hate crime and related charges in connection with a seemingly random attack against three Jewish men that took place on a Borough Park street.

District Attorney Gonzalez said, “An investigation into this disturbing incident concluded that the defendant’s alleged unprovoked attack was motivated by hate and that he only targeted those who were dressed in traditional Hasidic attire. Our community has zero tolerance for such bias-motivated crimes. We will now seek to hold the defendant accountable.”

The District Attorney identified the defendant as Farrukh Afzal, 38, of Mariners Harbor, Staten Island. He was arraigned today before Brooklyn Supreme Court Justice William Miller on a 17-count indictment in which he is charged with second-degree attempted assault as a hate crime, third-degree assault as a hate crime, third-degree menacing as a hate crime and other related offenses. He was ordered to undergo a psychiatric exam and to return to court on January 14, 2019. The defendant faces up to seven years in prison if convicted of the top count.

The District Attorney said that, according to the investigation, on October 14, 2018, at approximately 7:25 a.m., the defendant was driving a cab on 13th Avenue and 44th Street in Borough Park, Brooklyn. As he drove past a Hasidic man, the defendant allegedly swerved his car as if to hit him, causing the man to run away so he wouldn’t get struck.

The evidence further shows that the defendant then sped up, drove for another block and a half and stopped. He got out of his cab and ran towards another Hasidic man, 62, who was standing at the corner of 13th Avenue and 46th Street. The defendant allegedly struck the victim, who ran, and chased him into the intersection, where he continued to beat and body-slam him, causing lacerations and bruising to his face and body. As the defendant ran towards the victim, he did not attack a delivery man who was not wearing Hasidic garb, but was closer to him, the evidence shows.

The victim heard the defendant screaming in a foreign language words that sounded like “Allah,” according to the investigation. After a third Hasidic man intervened and was chased by the defendant, the defendant was restrained and was heard screaming, “Israel, Israel.”

The case is being prosecuted by Senior Assistant District Attorney Jacob Uriel of the District Attorney’s Grey Zone Trial Bureau, under the supervision of Assistant District Attorney Danielle Eaddy, Bureau Chief.

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

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Wednesday, November 14, 2018

Queens Man Arraigned on Indictment Charging Him With
Assault and Menacing as Hate Crimes in Anti-Gay Attack

Defendant Allegedly Called Couple Homophobic Epithet Before Knocking Them Unconscious

Brooklyn District Attorney Eric Gonzalez today announced that a Queens man was arraigned on an indictment in which he is charged with assault as a hate crime, menacing as a hate crime and aggravated harassment for the alleged attack of a gay couple as they were walking from a Williamsburg bar.

District Attorney Gonzalez said, “This defendant allegedly assaulted an innocent couple simply because he perceived they were gay. Crimes that target individuals because of their sexual orientation, race, ethnicity, religion, gender, or other identity are a threat to everything we stand for here in Brooklyn. The defendant has now been indicted and we intend to seek justice for the victims.”

The District Attorney identified the defendant as Brandon McNamara, 25, of Middle Village, Queens. He was arraigned today before Brooklyn Supreme Court Justice Danny Chun on an indictment in which he is charged with second-degree assault as a hate crime, third-degree menacing as a hate crime, second-degree aggravated harassment and other related offenses. Bail was continued at $15,000 and the defendant was ordered to return to court on January 16, 2019. He faces up to 15 years in prison if convicted of the top count.

The District Attorney said that, according to the investigation, on September 23, 2018, at approximately 12:55 a.m., two men, ages 29 and 30, exited Metropolitan Bar at 559 Lorimer Street. The victims were walking along Metropolitan Avenue and the defendant, who was with several unknown people, was also walking along Metropolitan Avenue and caught up with the victims. He allegedly called them a homophobic slur. It is alleged that the defendant then struck the first victim, causing him to fall to the ground and lose consciousness. The second victim was grabbed and thrown to the ground, also losing consciousness.

A passerby called 911 after seeing the two men unconscious on the ground. The 30-year-old victim suffered a fractured and dislocated left shoulder and the 29-year-old victim suffered a broken finger. Both victims were treated at Woodhull Hospital.

The defendant turned himself in on September 26, 2018 after police released to the media a photo of him which had been taken by a witness.

The case is being prosecuted by Assistant District Attorney Albert Suh of the District Attorney’s Civil Rights Bureau, under the supervision of Assistant District Attorney Kelli Muse, Deputy Chief of the Civil Rights Bureau, and under the overall supervision of Assistant District Attorney Joseph P. Alexis, Chief of the Trial Division.

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

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Wednesday, November 14, 2018

Man Sentenced to 25 Years to Life in Prison for the 2015 Death
Of Staten Island Woman in East Williamsburg Hotel

Victim Suffered Compression of the Neck and Chest

Brooklyn District Attorney Eric Gonzalez today announced that a Brownsville man has been sentenced to 25 years to life in prison for the murder of a 34-year-old mother of four from Staten Island. He was convicted of second-degree murder last month following a jury trial.

District Attorney Gonzalez said, “This is a tragic case in which this defendant preyed on a helpless woman, taking a mother from her four children. Hopefully, today’s sentence will provide some measure of justice for her friends and family.”

The District Attorney identified the defendant as Joseph Danclair, 40, of Brownsville, Brooklyn. He was sentenced today to 25 years to life in prison by Brooklyn Supreme Court Justice Dineen Riviezzo. He was convicted of second-degree murder last month following a jury trial.

The District Attorney said that, according to the evidence, on July 23, 2015, at approximately 4:30 p.m., the victim, Chrissy Bevelaqua, 34, was discovered naked with bruises to her neck and head in a hotel room at the Bushwick Hotel located at 171 Bushwick Avenue in East Williamsburg, Brooklyn. The victim was found on a bed by hotel staff, who notified the police. She was pronounced dead at the scene. The Office of the New York City Medical Examiner determined the cause of death to be compression of the neck and chest.

During the investigation, the police recovered the defendant’s DNA and fingerprints from the hotel room. Danclair was also captured on surveillance video entering the hotel with the victim and later leaving alone. Police later learned that he was picked up at the hotel by a livery driver and was dropped off in Brownsville.

The defendant was arrested on September 17, 2015, in Manhattan. In a video statement recorded by the police, he admitted to being in the hotel room.

The District Attorney thanked Michel Dilone, of the DA’s Victim Services Unit, for her assistance on this case.

The case was prosecuted by Senior Assistant District Attorney Olatokunbo Olaniyan, of the District Attorney’s Homicide Bureau and Assistant District Attorney Elizabeth Payne, of the District Attorney’s Special Victims Bureau, under the supervision of Assistant District Attorney Timothy Gough, Homicide Bureau Chief.

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Wednesday, November 14, 2018

Former New York City Police Officer Sentenced in Connection
With Transferring Title to Bedford-Stuyvesant Property to Herself

Falsely Testified in Grand Jury That She Owned the Property

Brooklyn District Attorney Eric Gonzalez today announced that a former New York City police officer has been sentenced to six months in jail and five years’ probation for transferring the title from a neglected three-family house in Bedford-Stuyvesant to herself. The defendant filed a deed transferring the property from the deceased owner’s nephew to herself in 2012, only to see her scheme unravel when the nephew was approached by an actual potential buyer in 2014.

District Attorney Gonzalez said, “This defendant has now been held accountable for this fraudulent real estate scheme. I will continue to protect Brooklyn homeowners whose valuable properties may be targeted by scam artists. I urge property owners to register their homes with ACRIS (Automated City Register Information System) so that they are automatically informed of changes made to documents associated with their property, such as occurred in this case.”

The District Attorney identified the defendant as Blanche O’Neal, 49, of Bedford-Stuyvesant, Brooklyn. She was sentenced today to six months in jail and five years’ probation by Brooklyn Supreme Court Justice Danny Chun. She was convicted of first-degree perjury, second-degree criminal possession of a forged instrument and first-degree offering a false instrument for filing in February following a bench trial before Justice Chun.

The District Attorney said that, according to trial testimony, on September 12, 2012, the defendant, who was an NYPD officer, executed a deed that stated that she bought the property, 23A Vernon Avenue, from the nephew of the deceased homeowner, Lillian Hudson, who died in 1993. The nephew and several relatives inherited the property, though it sat vacant and neglected for many years.

The defendant, according to trial testimony, falsely indicated in her filings with the New York City Department of Finance, Office of the City Register, that she purchased the property for $10,000 from the nephew and the deed was purportedly signed by him. The Office of the City Register recorded the deed on October 11, 2012.

Furthermore, in connection with a burglary involving the property, the defendant falsely testified before a grand jury on September 29, 2014, that she owned the property.

In 2014, the nephew and the other heirs were approached by a buyer in the form of a business entity known as 23A Vernon LLC. That is when Lillian Hudson’s heirs discovered the 2012 deed that was filed by the defendant.

The case was prosecuted by Senior Assistant District Attorney Frank Dudis and Assistant District Attorney Ellen Koenig of the District Attorney’s Real Estate Fraud Unit, and Assistant District Attorney Richard Farrell, Unit Chief, under the supervision of Assistant District Attorney Patricia McNeill, Deputy Chief of the District Attorney’s Investigations Division.

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Tuesday, November 13, 2018

Upstate Man Sentenced to 10 Years in State Prison
For Sexually Assaulting Woman in East New York Stairwell

Grabbed Victim from Behind; Identified Via a DNA Match

Brooklyn District Attorney Eric Gonzalez today announced that a 32-year-old man from Schenectady, NY, was sentenced to 10 years in prison for sexually assaulting a woman after he grabbed her from behind in a stairwell of an East New York apartment building.

District Attorney Gonzalez said, “Thanks to DNA science this defendant has been held accountable for assaulting a defenseless woman. In Brooklyn, we will continue to vigorously prosecute sexual predators and seek justice for victims.”

The District Attorney identified the defendant as Brandon Majette, 32, of Schenectady, New York. He was sentenced today by Brooklyn Supreme Court Justice Evelyn LaPorte to 10 years in prison. The defendant pleaded guilty to first-degree criminal sexual act in May.

The District Attorney said that, according to the evidence, on September 3, 2016, at about 6:30 a.m., the 26-year-old victim was walking up the stairs of a relative’s apartment building on Loring Street in East New York. The defendant grabbed her from behind, pushed her down to the floor and sexually assaulted her.

The defendant then took a picture of the victim’s identification card, stole $100 from her wallet and fled, the evidence showed. She ran to her relative’s home and 911 was immediately called. Semen from the victim’s dress later came back as a match to the defendant and he was apprehended in Troy, N.Y., on February 2, 2017.

The case was prosecuted by Senior Assistant District Attorney Jennifer Nasar, of the District Attorney’s Special Victims Bureau, under the supervision of Assistant District Attorney Miss Gregory, Bureau Chief.

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