About Ernest Johnson

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Monday, June 18, 2018

Brooklyn Construction Company Pleads Guilty to Failing to Pay Employees More Than $303,000 in Owed Wages

Twenty-One Workers Receive Back Pay from The Urban Group

Brooklyn District Attorney Eric Gonzalez, together with New York City Department of Investigation Commissioner Mark G. Peters, today announced that a Brooklyn construction company that was awarded contracts to perform work on schools in Brooklyn and the Bronx has pleaded guilty to grand larceny for underpaying employees and stealing the difference. The defendant made full restitution to the workers, who were presented with checks today by DA Gonzalez and Commissioner Peters.

District Attorney Gonzalez said, “This company got lucrative city contracts and then shamelessly stole money from its workers. In Brooklyn, we simply will not allow workers to have their hard-earned wages stolen from them. We are committed to protecting the integrity of city contracts and ensuring that prevailing wages are paid.”

Commissioner Peters said, “This story of greed and deception has a happy ending today, with workers finally receiving their rightful prevailing wages for the hard work they performed on this company’s public construction projects. As a result of its crimes, The Urban Group, Ltd. will also lose out on funds: by way of a five-year debarment from any public work contracts or sub-contracts in New York State. DOI is proud to stand with the Brooklyn District Attorney to make these workers whole and together we will continue to pursue construction companies who fail to pay employees their rightful, lawful wages

The District Attorney identified the defendant as The Urban Group, located at 18 Crescent Street, in East New York. The corporation pleaded guilty on Wednesday, June 13, 2018, before Brooklyn Supreme Court Justice Danny Chun, to one count of second-degree grand larceny. The corporation made full restitution of $303,410.97 and was sentenced to a conditional discharge. The company will be debarred from city contracts for five years.

The District Attorney said that, according to the investigation, between 2014 and 2015, Urban’s owner, Gewan “Ken” Bharatlall, had six non-union workers perform construction-related tasks such as demolition, masonry, carpentry, painting and caulking. The workers performed the construction at five School Construction Authority sites, including: Public School 101, 2360 Benson Avenue, Brooklyn; Public School 251K, 1037 East 54th Street, Brooklyn; George W. Wingate High School, 600 Kingston Avenue, Brooklyn; Public School 396X, 1930 Andrews Avenue South, Bronx; and Public School 97X, 1375 Mace Avenue, Bronx.

Labor Law and the NYC SCA contracts required the defendant to pay prevailing wages and overtime pay to all employees who worked on the projects. The defendant’s owner, Gewan Bharatlall, falsely certified that the defendant had paid the employees the required prevailing wages and overtime. In reality, the defendant paid the six employees between $10 and $17 per hour without overtime compensation or benefits, instead of the mason tender rate of $62 to $63 per hour. The total underpayment of wages and benefits to the six non-union workers on SCA projects amounted to $232,092.98.

Additionally, the defendant hired 15 non-union day laborers in 2015 to perform construction-related work at various SCA job sites, two of the sites were public schools in Brooklyn and one of the sites was a public school in the Bronx. Although the workers were performing construction-related tasks at the schools, they were only paid the standard rate of $31 to $38 per hour instead of the trade rate of $64 to $72 per hour. A calculation of the difference in pay amounted to an underpayment of $71,317.99 in wages and benefits due to those 15 workers.

The case was investigated by DOI’s Office of the Inspector General for the School Construction Authority, specifically Investigators Leonard Reins and Jose Romero and Deputy Counsel Jason S. Herman, under the supervision of Supervising Investigator Nicholas Scicutella, First Deputy Inspector General Gerald McEnroe, Inspector General Felice Sontupe, Associate Commissioner James Flaherty, Deputy Commissioner/Chief of Investigations Susan Lambiase and First Deputy Commissioner Lesley Brovner.

The case was prosecuted by Senior Assistant District Attorney Vivian Young Joo, of the District Attorney’s Frauds Bureau, under the supervision of Assistant District Attorney Christopher Blank, Chief of the Organized Crime and Racketeering Unit, and the overall supervision of Assistant District Attorney Patricia McNeill, Deputy Chief of the District Attorney’s Investigations Division.

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Friday, June 15, 2018

Brooklyn Man Sentenced to Five and a Half Years in Prison
For Assaulting Homeless Man on Facebook Live

Tormented Victim and Kicked Him Down Flight of Stairs;
Defendant’s Facebook Account was Being Monitored, Led to Arrest

Brooklyn District Attorney Eric Gonzalez today announced that a 24-year-old Brooklyn man was sentenced to five and a half years in prison for a wanton attack on a 58-year-old man, parts of which the defendant broadcast on Facebook Live.

District Attorney Gonzalez said, “This cruel and cowardly assault of a defenseless older man was sickening and shameful. The defendant’s brazen behavior, combined with excellent work by a quick-thinking detective, led to his capture and ensured that justice was done in this case.”

The District Attorney identified the defendant as Daquan King, 24, of Prospect Lefferts Gardens, Brooklyn. He was sentenced today by Brooklyn Supreme Court Justice William Harrington to five and a half years in prison and five years’ post-release supervision following his guilty plea last month to second-degree assault.

The District Attorney said that on March 24, 2017 at approximately 9:35 p.m., the defendant entered an elevator inside 50 Lincoln Road, in Prospect Lefferts Gardens, where he encountered the victim, a 58-year-old homeless man who used to frequent that residential building. The defendant set out to torment the visibly intoxicated victim for fun, according to the evidence, which includes video surveillance. He took money from the victim’s pocket, tossed it on the floor, closed the elevator door and held it shut for several minutes, trapping the man inside. After he allowed the victim to exit the elevator, the defendant pulled him to the floor, and hit, dragged and kicked him down the stairs as two of the defendant’s friends looked on and laughed.

The defendant followed the victim to the next floor and started recording a Facebook Live video. The video shows the defendant kick the victim from the top of the stairs, causing him to fly through the air and land at the bottom of the 15 steps. He is then seen laughing and callously stepping over the victim, who at that point was bleeding from the head. The defendant continued to record as he exited the building and directed people he encountered to “go to the fifth floor,” remarking that he kicked someone down the stairs and that he is on Facebook Live. He looked at the camera and said, “When I end this video, go and watch the video.”

The video came to the attention of law enforcement. Upon analyzing the video, a detective was able to pinpoint the location of the assault. He responded to the building and observed blood on the fourth floor, where he learned that a man had been transported from the location to Kings County Hospital with head injuries. The detective recognized the victim from the Facebook Live video and located him. The defendant was arrested the next day.

The case was prosecuted by Senior Assistant District Attorney Sasha Pemberton, of the District Attorney’s Green Zone Trial Bureau, under the supervision of Assistant District Attorney David Klestzick, Bureau Chief.

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Tuesday, June 12, 2018

East Flatbush Man Sentenced to 24 Years to Life in Prison for Strangulation
Death of His Former Girlfriend, Who Had Order of Protection Against Him

Defendant Showed up at Victim’s Workplace; Incident Captured on Surveillance Video

Brooklyn District Attorney Eric Gonzalez today announced that a 34-year-old man has been sentenced to 24 years to life in prison for the strangulation death of his former girlfriend, 25-year-old Deneisha Smith.

District Attorney Gonzalez said, “Domestic violence remains the cause of too many homicides and my Office is committed to obtaining justice for every victim and to work on prevention by identifying and prosecuting all incidents of intimate partner abuse. In this case, the defendant brutally killed a completely innocent woman and will now spend many years in prison for this heinous act.”

The District Attorney identified the defendant as Rolanso Lexune, 34, of East Flatbush, Brooklyn. He was sentenced yesterday by Brooklyn Supreme Court Justice Jill Konviser to 24 years to life in prison following his conviction last month of second-degree murder after a jury trial.

The District Attorney said that, according to trial testimony, on October 1, 2016, at approximately 9:30 a.m., the defendant showed up at Bedford Technology, the workplace of Deneisha Smith, his former girlfriend, located at 2184 Bedford Avenue, in Flatbush. The victim buzzed the defendant into the store and the two are seen interacting when the defendant suddenly uses force to push the victim into a backroom out of public view, according to surveillance video. Further video recovered from the backroom shows the defendant arguing with the victim, looking at her cell phone, assaulting the victim, and ultimately strangling her with his hands before leaving the scene.

The victim’s body was discovered three hours later by a co-worker and she was pronounced dead at the scene by medical personnel. The defendant was arrested at his East Flatbush apartment, where he lived with his wife and children, after being identified on the videotape surveillance. The victim had a full order of protection against the defendant stemming from an earlier incident in which he struck the victim and stole her cell phone.

The case was prosecuted by Assistant District Attorney Vincent Bocchetti, Deputy Chief of the District Attorney’s Domestic Violence Bureau, and Assistant District Attorney Sydelle Exantus, also of the DV Bureau, under the supervision of Assistant District Attorney Michele Kaminsky, Bureau Chief.

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Friday, June 8, 2018

Sheepshead Bay Man Indicted for Fatally Stabbing Brooklyn Professor
Inside Victim’s Basement in Prospect Park South

Allegedly Gained Entry and Attacked Homeowner; Found Hiding in Closet

Brooklyn District Attorney Eric Gonzalez today announced that a 29-year-old Brooklyn man has been indicted on charges of first-degree murder for allegedly killing a New School professor inside the victim’s basement in Prospect Park South.

District Attorney Gonzalez said, “This defendant allegedly burglarized a house and, when confronted by the homeowner, brutally stabbed him to death. We intend to vigorously prosecute this shocking and reprehensible murder and obtain justice for the victim’s heartbroken family.”

The District Attorney identified the defendant as Mirzo Atadzhanov, 29, of Sheepshead Bay, Brooklyn. He was arraigned today before Brooklyn Supreme Court Justice Danny Chun on charges of first- and second-degree murder and first- and second-degree burglary. He was ordered held without bail and to return to court on August 29, 2018. The defendant faces a maximum sentence of life in prison without the possibility of parole if convicted of the top count with which he is charged.

The District Attorney said that, according to the investigation, on May 7, 2018, just before 6 p.m., the victim’s wife placed a 911 call and, when police responded, officers discovered the victim, 66-year-old Jeremy Safran, in the basement of his Prospect Park South home. The victim was stabbed twice in the chest and three times in the stomach. He was pronounced dead at the scene.

The defendant was discovered hiding in a closet in the basement. The knife used in the stabbing was subsequently recovered from the trunk of the defendant’s car, according to the evidence. The investigation revealed that, earlier that day, the defendant followed the victim’s 19-year-old daughter to the family’s front door, engaged her in conversation and then left.

The case is being prosecuted by Senior Assistant District Attorney Ernest Chin, of the District Attorney’s Homicide Bureau, and Assistant District Attorney Maria Neri, of the District Attorney’s Green Zone Trial Bureau, under the supervision of Assistant District Attorney Timothy Gough, Homicide Bureau Chief.

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

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Friday, June 8, 2018

Brownsville Man Sentenced to 16 Years in Prison for Manslaughter
In Shaking Death Of 2-Year-Old Stepdaughter

Defendant Admitted Violently Shaking Child on Multiple Occasions

Brooklyn District Attorney Eric Gonzalez today announced that a Brownsville man has been sentenced to 16 years in prison following his guilty plea last month to manslaughter for violently shaking his 2-year-old stepdaughter on multiple occasions, causing her death.

District Attorney Gonzalez said, “This defendant’s repeated actions of violently shaking a defenseless and innocent child resulted in her heartbreaking death, devastating her family. Under no circumstances should a child be shaken. Shaking a child is often fatal and we will continue to hold those who abuse our children accountable.”

The District Attorney identified the defendant as David Adams, 28, of Brownsville, Brooklyn. The defendant was sentenced to 16 years in prison and 10 years’ post-release supervision by Brooklyn Supreme Court Justice Deborah Dowling. He pleaded guilty to first-degree manslaughter last month.

The District Attorney said that, according to the investigation, between October 20 and October 30, 2014, at 340 Dumont Avenue, where the defendant lived with his wife and stepdaughter, the defendant shook Thaiya Spruill-Smith several times causing her head to rotate back and forth rapidly several times. In statements made to police following his arrest, the defendant stated that immediately following that incident the child’s body became rigid and she did not respond to external stimuli.

The District Attorney said that, according to the investigation, the defendant told police that on November 12, 2014, between 3 and 4:30 p.m., he saw Thaiya Spruill-Smith’s body become rigid and he shook her rapidly several times, causing her head to snap back and forth. He said that he then saw her body to go limp. He then shook her again several times, he told police, causing her body to become rigid. The child’s mother, Teoka Spruill-Adams, told police she noticed the child’s breathing was labored at approximately 5 a.m. the next day, November 13, 2014, and called 911.

The child was taken to Brookdale Hospital and admitted to the Pediatric Intensive Care Unit, where she was determined to be brain dead. She was removed from life support on November 14, 2014. According to the New York City Medical Examiner’s Office, the cause of death was determined to be Abusive Head Trauma.

The case was prosecuted by Assistant District Attorney Frank DeGaetano, 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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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Wednesday, June 6, 2018

Twenty-Seven Charged in Connection with Narcotics Trafficking at
Multiple New York City Housing Authority Developments

Six-Month Investigation in Brownsville Followed Complaints Regarding
Drug Activity and Violence in Vicinity of Seth Low Houses

Brooklyn District Attorney Eric Gonzalez, together with New York City Police Commissioner James P. O’Neill, today announced that 27 defendants have been variously charged in connection with selling powdered and crack cocaine, heroin and oxycodone pills following an investigation into a major drug trafficking operation at housing developments in Brownsville.

District Attorney Gonzalez said, “This narcotics takedown underscores the commitment of the NYPD and my office to improving the quality of life and the safety of the hardworking residents of public housing. We are determined to keep the scourge of drug dealing, and the violence that often accompanies it, out of our communities.”

Commissioner O’Neill said, “The NYPD’s efforts to rid New York City of illegal narcotics and the violence associated with drug trafficking will not end. I commend everyone involved in this case, particularly our investigators and the skilled staff of the Brooklyn District Attorney’s Office, who – in close partnership – continue to focus intently on anyone engaging in such behavior.”

Twenty-one of the defendants are named in a 504-count indictment in which they are variously charged with first-, second- and third-degree criminal sale of a controlled substance, first-, second- and third-degree criminal possession of a controlled substance and second-degree conspiracy. The six other defendants are variously charged with third-degree criminal sale of a controlled substance and related charges in four additional indictments (see defendant addendum). Most of the defendants were expected to be arraigned this afternoon before Brooklyn Supreme Court Justice Danny Chun.

Through the use of physical and electronic surveillance, it was determined that Hassan Nixon was allegedly a major supplier of cocaine to mid-level dealers operating within various housing developments in Brownsville, including the Seth Low Houses, Glenmore Plaza and the Van Dyke Houses. Hassan Nixon allegedly used alleged Wave Gang member Karon Farrell as his narcotics lieutenant, and together, Nixon and Farrell allegedly controlled the flow of cocaine from elsewhere in New York City into and throughout those housing developments.

Hassan Nixon allegedly supplied his cocaine network with narcotics that he allegedly purchased from multiple sources, including Ronald Langhorne and Louis Peebles. Langhorne and Peebles allegedly purchased cocaine by the kilogram, which they broke down and resold, in both powdered and rock form, in 50 and 100 gram increments to various individuals such as Hassan Nixon. Langhorne allegedly utilized a number of individuals, including Peebles, to assist him in cutting the cocaine, cooking it into crack cocaine, and packaging it for resale.

Hassan Nixon and Ronald Langhorne are each charged with Operating as a Major Trafficker.

The investigation was conducted by New York City Police Department Detective Paul Molinaro, with the assistance of Police Officer Michael Lassen and Detective Anibal Torres, of the Brooklyn North Gang Squad, under the supervision of Lieutenant John Costin, and the overall supervision of Captain Craig Edelman.

The case is being prosecuted by Senior Assistant District Attorney Owen Sucoff, of the District Attorney’s Violent Criminal Enterprises Bureau, under the supervision of Assistant District Attorney Jonathan R. Sennett, VCE Deputy Chief, Assistant District Attorney Alfred C. DeIngeniis, First Deputy Chief, and Assistant District Attorney Nicole Chavis, Bureau Chief, and the overall supervision of Assistant District Attorney Patricia McNeill, Deputy Chief of the District Attorney’s Investigations Division and Mark Feldman, Senior Executive Assistant District Attorney for Investigations and Crime Strategies.

Defendant Addendum:

1. Hassan Nixon, aka Ha, 39, Brooklyn, NY.
2. Jalil Nixon, aka Hood, 28, Brooklyn, NY.
3. Karon Farrell, aka KK, 27, Brooklyn, NY.
4. Benjamin Clark, aka KB, 47, Brooklyn, NY.
5. Ronald Langhorne, aka Riz, 43, Brooklyn, NY.
6. Louis Peebles, aka Fresh, 35, Brooklyn, NY.
7. Samuel Hayslett, 40, Brooklyn, NY.
8. Hasson Davis, 39, Queens, NY.
9. Massiah House, 37, Brooklyn, NY.
10. Rashawn Bethelmie aka Slump, 30, Brooklyn, NY.
11. Brian Hightower, aka Freaky, 59, Brooklyn, NY.
12. Antoine Nurse, aka Tootie, 49, Brooklyn, NY.
13. Kimani Everett, 27, Staten Island, NY.
14. Norbert Layne, aka Nunu, 47, Brooklyn, NY.
15. Divante New, 25, Brooklyn, NY.
16. Tyrique Kelly, 31, Brooklyn, NY.
17. Jamel Lillard, aka, Bam, 25, Brooklyn, NY.
18. Rayshon Davis, 31, Queens, NY.
19. Luis Ortiz, 39, Brooklyn, NY.
20. Ony Diaz, 26, Brooklyn, NY.
21. Christopher Lowrie, 25, Brooklyn, NY.
22. Emmanuel Sastre, 44, Brooklyn, NY.
23. Rosa Ramos, 28, Brooklyn, NY.
24. David Gonzalez, 28, Brooklyn, NY.
25. Rishon Bliss, 38, Brooklyn, NY.
26. Kristopher Harris, 30, Brooklyn, NY.
27. Brandon Thomas, 28, Brooklyn, NY.

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

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Wednesday, June 6, 2018

Former Correction Officer, Inmate and Inmate’s Girlfriend Indicted in
Connection with Alleged Attempt to Smuggle Marijuana into Brooklyn Jail

Contraband Detected by Drug Sniffing Dog;
Face Bribe Receiving, Conspiracy and Other Charges

Brooklyn District Attorney Eric Gonzalez, together with New York City Department of Investigation Commissioner Mark G. Peters, today announced that a former correction officer, an inmate and the inmate’s girlfriend have been variously charged with bribery, conspiracy and other charges for allegedly attempting to smuggle marijuana into the Brooklyn Detention Complex. It is alleged that the correction officer met with the inmate’s girlfriend and received cash and contraband. The marijuana was discovered two days later by a trained canine when the defendant showed up to work.

District Attorney Gonzalez said, “We expect our public servants to have the utmost integrity, especially when safety is involved. The defendants in this case corrupted this trust and I now intend to hold all of them accountable. My Office will continue to work closely with DOI and other law enforcement partners to make sure that bribery schemes and other forms of corruption are investigated and prosecuted.”

Commissioner Peters said, “Integrity should be the rule for any Correction Officer hired to ensure the safety and security of our City’s jails. This defendant, working with the aid of an inmate and associate, allegedly sold out that core value for cash by attempting to smuggle contraband, according to the charges. DOI and its drug-sniffing canine exposed the scheme. DOI will continue to work with our partners like the Brooklyn District Attorney to stem the flow of dangerous contraband into our jail facilities.”

The District Attorney identified the defendants as former Correction Officer Patrick Gaillard, 30, of Brooklyn, Adam Franco, 23, of Staten Island, and Samantha Pereira, 27, of Staten Island. Gaillard and Pereira were arraigned today before Brooklyn Supreme Court Justice Danny Chun, who ordered them released without bail. Franco is scheduled to be arraigned next week. All three defendants are charged with second-degree promoting prison contraband and fifth-degree conspiracy. Franco and Pereira are also charged with third-degree bribery. Gaillard is additionally charged with third-degree bribe receiving, third-degree corrupting the government, official misconduct and fifth-degree criminal possession of marijuana. The defendants each face up to seven years in prison if convicted of the top count with which they are charged.

The District Attorney said that, according to the investigation, between March 18, 2018 and April 4, 2018, phone calls were allegedly placed between Pereira and Franco, her boyfriend who was jailed in the Brooklyn Detention Complex in connection with a pending robbery case in New York County. The conversations included discussions about money, packaging and a meeting with a third party, according to the indictment.

It is alleged that on April 4, 2018, Gaillard met Pereira on Gallatin Place in Downtown Brooklyn and received a quantity of marijuana and $1,150. It is further alleged that on April 6, 2018, at about 7 a.m., when Gaillard showed up to his regularly-scheduled shift at the Brooklyn Detention Complex on Atlantic Avenue, a trained canine alerted investigators to the presence of drugs. A subsequent search recovered about two ounces of marijuana from the defendant’s pants pocket. Gaillard resigned from his job on April 11, 2018.

The case was investigated by DOI’s Office of the Inspector General for DOC, specifically, Investigator Ali Fayad; Assistant Inspector General Carmelo Galarza and K-9 Gunner, under the supervision of Assistant Inspector General Sony Fortune, Assistant Inspector General Gladys Cambi and Deputy Inspectors General Reginald Barometre, Whitney Ferguson and Richard Askin, and overall supervision by Inspector General Dana A. Roth, Associate Commissioner Paul Cronin, Deputy Commissioner/Chief of Investigations Susan Lambiase, and First Deputy Commissioner Lesley Brovner.

The case is being prosecuted by Assistant District Attorney Renee Hassel and Senior Assistant District Attorney Adam Libove, of the District Attorney’s Public Integrity Unit, under the supervision of Assistant District Attorney Michel Spanakos, Unit Chief, and the overall supervision of Assistant District Attorney Patricia McNeill, Deputy Chief of the Investigations Division, and Mark Feldman, Senior Executive Assistant for Crime Strategies and Investigations.

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

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Tuesday, June 5, 2018

Bedford-Stuyvesant Man Sentenced to 25 Years to Life in Prison for Fatally Shooting Neighbor Over Financial Dispute

Defendant Called Victim to Lure Him Out of Apartment; Shot Victim Five Times

Brooklyn District Attorney Eric Gonzalez today announced that a 36-year-old Brooklyn man has been sentenced to 25 years to life in prison for fatally shooting his neighbor five times in the stairwell of their building over an $8 dispute.

District Attorney Gonzalez said, “This defendant stalked and lured a man out of his home to settle a score. His cruel actions ended a man’s life and placed everyone in the building in danger. We will not tolerate this type of violence and will continue to prosecute anyone who takes the law into their own hands.”

The District Attorney identified the defendant as Christopher Chandler, 36, of Bedford-Stuyvesant, Brooklyn. He was sentenced yesterday by Brooklyn Supreme Court Justice John Hecht to 25 years to life in prison following his conviction last month on charges of second-degree murder and second-degree criminal possession of a weapon after a jury trial.

The District Attorney said that, according to trial testimony, on April 21, 2016, at approximately 3:15 p.m., the defendant called the victim, Kenric Tomlin, 45, on the phone to lure him out of his apartment at 940 Gates Avenue in Bedford-Stuyvesant. The defendant and Tomlin were neighbors and acquaintances. After Tomlin exited his apartment, the defendant shot him in the stairwell of the building. Tomlin fell into the hallway and the defendant executed him by shooting two more times. Tomlin was shot a total of five times in the back and torso. He was taken to Woodhull Hospital where he was pronounced dead.

Following the shooting, the defendant hid the firearm in the backpack of his then-girlfriend, who unwittingly carried it out of the building when the police arrived. After exiting the building, the defendant hid at a distant relative’s home in New Jersey, where police tracked him by his cell phone on June 6, 2016, according to the investigation.

According to trial testimony, the defendant owed the victim $8 and shot him after being taunted and feeling disrespected because of the debt.

The case was prosecuted by Senior Assistant District Attorney Chow Yun Xie, of the District Attorney’s Homicide Bureau, and Assistant District Attorney Michelle Murray, of the District Attorney’s Grey Zone Trial Bureau, under the supervision of Assistant District Attorney Timothy Gough, Homicide Bureau Chief.

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Friday, June 1, 2018

Two Alleged Gang Members Indicted for Drive-By Murder

Shot Victim Through Window of BMW; Third Defendant Charged with Weapon Possession

Brooklyn District Attorney Eric Gonzalez today announced that two alleged gang members have been indicted on charges of murder and weapon possession in connection with a drive-by shooting that claimed the life of a 21-year-old man.

District Attorney Gonzalez said, “Brazen acts of gun violence like the one committed in this case often lead to avoidable deaths and put innocent bystanders in danger. To keep our communities safe, we will remain focused on bringing gang members, who are driving much of the violence in Brooklyn, to justice.”

The District Attorney identified the defendants as Rean Awong, 21, of Flatbush, Darren Wilson, 18, of Canarsie, and Anjuwon Butcher, 21, of Flatbush. They were arraigned today before Brooklyn Supreme Court Justice Vincent Del Giudice who ordered them to return to court on September 28, 2018. Awong and Wilson are charged with second-degree murder and second-degree criminal possession of a weapon; Wilson is additionally charged with first-degree reckless endangerment. They were remanded without bail and face a maximum sentence of 25 years to life in prison if convicted of the top count. Butcher is charged with second-degree criminal possession of a weapon. His bail was set at $25,000 and he faces up to 15 years in prison.

The District Attorney said that, according to the investigation, on May 9, 2018, at approximately 7:10 p.m., all three defendants were allegedly inside a blue BMW – Awong in the back seat, Wilson, who owns the vehicle, in the driver’s seat, and Butcher in the passenger’s seat. Near the corner of East 89th Street and Avenue L in Canarsie, the BMW slowed down and Awong allegedly opened fire at the victim through an open rear window. The incident was captured on video surveillance.

Julian Edwards, 21, was struck by the bullets and was rushed to Brookdale Hospital. He died a day later.

After the shooting, the BMW drove away and was chased by police until it crashed into a parked vehicle. Awong fled the car during the chase and was apprehended. Wilson was caught after the crash and Butcher ran away from the scene of the crash and was apprehended a short distance away, the evidence shows.

The murder weapon was not recovered. Another firearm, a .380 caliber gun, was recovered from the BMW. All three defendants are allegedly members of the Folk Nation street gang.

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

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

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Wednesday, May 30, 2018

Brooklyn Man Sentenced to Up to Four Years in Prison
For Stealing Over $17,000 from Rockland County Resident

Defendant Cashed Checks at Several Citibank Branches in Southern Brooklyn

Brooklyn District Attorney Eric Gonzalez today announced that a 56-year-old Brooklyn mas was sentenced to up to four years in prison for stealing over $17,000 during a three-day period from a Citibank account belonging to a businessman who resides in Rockland County, NY.

District Attorney Gonzalez said, “The defendant seized on an opportunity to steal from an unsuspecting businessman again and again. We will continue to go after criminals that exploit financial vulnerabilities for nefarious purposes. The defendant has now been held accountable for the economic and emotional suffering he caused the victim.”

The District Attorney identified the defendant as Kevin Nelson, 56, of East New York, Brooklyn. He was sentenced today by Brooklyn Supreme Court Justice Dena Douglas to an indeterminate sentence of two to four years in prison. The defendant was convicted of third-degree grand larceny following a jury trial in April.

The District Attorney said that, according to trial testimony, the defendant cashed a total of seven checks associated with the personal Citibank account of the 49-year-old victim, who resides in Monsey, NY, from August 26, 2016, to August 29, 2016. During that time period, the defendant stole a total of $17,010 from the victim’s account by cashing checks in amounts that varied from $2,170 to $2,700, made out to the defendant, from Citibank branch locations in Bay Ridge, Sheepshead Bay and Brighton Beach, Brooklyn.

According to the investigation, the defendant was recorded on surveillance cameras in the bank branches and was seen approaching the cashiers, cashing the checks, and leaving the bank branches with the cash. The investigation also revealed that the defendant was in frequent contact with an unknown accomplice who, when the defendant was cashing checks, placed calls to Citibank Customer Service, falsely represented himself to be the victim, authorized transactions and made funds available.

The case was prosecuted by Assistant District Attorney Cassandra Pond and Senior District Attorney Sara Kurtzberg, of the District Attorney’s Green Zone Trial Bureau, under the supervision of David Klestzick, Bureau Chief.

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