East New York Man Pleads Guilty to Promoting Prostitution of Two 14-Year-Old Girls

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Tuesday, May 29, 2018

 

East New York Man Pleads Guilty to Promoting Prostitution
Of Two 14-Year-Old Girls

Defendant to be Sentenced to 8 to 16 Years in Prison

Brooklyn District Attorney Eric Gonzalez today announced that an East New York man has pleaded guilty to two counts of promoting prostitution for offering two 14-year-old girls to men who paid to have sex with them.

District Attorney Gonzalez said, “With today’s guilty plea, this defendant admits taking advantage of two vulnerable teenagers and will now spend many years in prison. In Brooklyn, it is our duty to protect all child victims from this type of predatory behavior.”

The District Attorney identified the defendant as Anthony Young, a.k.a., Royalty, 30, of East New York, Brooklyn. He pleaded guilty today to two counts of first-degree promoting prostitution before Brooklyn Supreme Court Justice Danny Chun. He will be sentenced on June 20, 2018, at which time the judge indicated he would sentence him to an indeterminate term of eight to 16 years in prison. He will be required to register as a sex offender upon his release from prison.

The District Attorney said that, according to the investigation, between March and August of 2016, Young prostituted two 14-year-old girls in Brooklyn, Hempstead, Huntington, and Westbury, New York; and Elizabeth, New Jersey, posting photos of them alongside advertisements for escort services.

The defendant rented several rooms at the Howard Johnson hotel on Rockaway Avenue in Brownsville, Brooklyn, as well as at other locations. Men came to the locations and paid to have sex with the girls. Furthermore, according to the investigation, Young drove the underage girls to other locations in Brooklyn, as well as Long Island and New Jersey to have sex with men for money. Young was physically violent towards both victims and the minor victims had to turn over their earnings to the defendant.

The case was investigated by New York City Police Department Detective David Mills, Detective James Rufle and Detective Adrian Campos of the Human Trafficking Team, Vice Enforcement Division, under the supervision of Lieutenant Christopher Sharpe and Captain Thomas Milano, and the overall supervision of Inspector James Klein. Police Officer Tony Cuoco of the NYPD’s 75th Precinct assisted in the investigation.

Senior Intelligence Analyst Brooke Middleton of the District Attorney’s Crime Strategies Unit assisted in the investigation.

The District Attorney thanked Sergeant Patricia Gusmano, of the Special Victims Unit at the Union County, New Jersey Prosecutor’s Office for her assistance in the investigation.

The case was prosecuted by Senior Assistant District Attorney David Weiss, of the District Attorney’s Human Trafficking Unit, under the supervision of Assistant District Attorney Laura Edidin, Unit Chief, and the overall supervision of Assistant District Attorney Miss Gregory, Chief of the Special Victims Bureau.

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Man Charged with Strangulation and Assault as Hate Crimes for Alleged Attack on Jewish Man Who was Walking from Synagogue

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Wednesday, May 23, 2018

 

Man Charged with Strangulation and Assault as Hate Crimes for
Alleged Attack on Jewish Man Who was Walking from Synagogue

Yelled about the Victim’s Faith Before and After Alleged Assault

Brooklyn District Attorney Eric Gonzalez today announced that a 40-year-old man has been indicted on charges of strangulation and assault as hate crimes and other offenses for the alleged unprovoked attack against a Jewish man, whom he cursed and choked as the victim was walking home from a synagogue.

District Attorney Gonzalez said, “This alleged attack against a religious person is disturbing and completely unacceptable. Brooklyn’s strength is in its diversity and I will never tolerate such hate-motivated crimes in our communities. The defendant in this case has now been indicted and I intend to hold him accountable.”

The District Attorney identified the defendant as James Vincent, 40. He was arraigned today before Brooklyn Supreme Court Justice Guy Mangano on a 17-count indictment in which he is charged with first-degree strangulation as a hate crime, second-degree assault as a hate crime and other related offenses. He was ordered held on $50,000 bond or $25,000 bail and to return to court on August 15, 2018. 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 April 21, 2018, at approximately 1 p.m., the victim, a 52-year-old Jewish man, was walking home from his Synagogue after Sabbath prayers. He walked passed the defendant in the vicinity of Rutland Road and East 46th Street in East Flatbush, when the defendant allegedly yelled, “You f—-ing Jew, you Jews took my house and mortgage.” The victim continued walking.

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

The victim suffered various injuries to the head and body.

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

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

The case is being prosecuted by Senior Assistant District Attorney Adriana Rodriguez, of the District Attorney’s Civil Rights Bureau, and Senior Assistant District Attorney Taryen O’Brien, of the District Attorney’s Green Zone Trial Bureau, under the supervision of Assistant District Attorney Kelli M. Muse, Deputy Bureau Chief of the Civil Rights Bureau, and Assistant District Attorney David Klestzick, Green Zone Bureau Chief, and the overall supervision of Assistant District Attorney Patricia McNeill, Deputy Chief of the District Attorney’s Investigations Division.

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

 

Brooklyn Man Sentenced to 14 Years in Prison for Armed Robbery of T-Mobile Store

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Wednesday, May 23, 2018

 

Brooklyn Man Sentenced to 14 Years in Prison for
Armed Robbery of T-Mobile Store

Tied Employees at Gunpoint and Stole About 70 iPhones and Androids

Brooklyn District Attorney Eric Gonzalez today announced that a 25-year-old Brooklyn man was sentenced to 14 years in prison for his involvement in an armed robbery of a T-Mobile store in Flatbush. The defendant and an accomplice tied two employees at gunpoint and took about 70 smartphones and the workers’ personal iPhones, one of which was located using the Find My iPhone app, leading to an arrest.

District Attorney Gonzalez said, “I am committed to keeping Brooklyn safe and will not tolerate such brazen robberies. Businesses should know that they can operate and thrive in our borough and that those who victimize their workers will be vigorously prosecuted.”

The District Attorney identified the defendant as Patrice Dorcil, 25, of Canarsie, Brooklyn. He was sentenced yesterday by Brooklyn Supreme Court Justice Cassandra Mullen to 14 years in prison and five years’ post-release supervision following his conviction last month of first-degree robbery after a jury trial. A codefendant, Roberd Dersonvil, 24, pleaded guilty in September 2017 to the same charge and was sentenced to 12 years in prison.

The District Attorney said that, according to trial testimony, on October 31, 2015, at about 7 p.m., the defendant and codefendant entered a T-Mobile store located on the corner of Flatbush and Nostrand Avenues and pretended to be interested in buying a cell phone. The defendant then brandished a firearm and ushered the two employees of the store to a back room, where an inventory closet is located.

The two defendants used duct tape to tie the employees’ hands behind their backs and the defendant filled two large laundry bags with iPhones and Android phones from the inventory closet while his accomplice held the workers at gunpoint. Dersonvil struck each employee in the head with the gun, demanded their personal cell phones and threatened to shoot someone, the evidence showed. The entire incident was captured on surveillance video.

After the defendants left the store with about 70 stolen phones, the employees managed to loosen the duct tape and called 911. They then used the Find My iPhone app to track their personal phones. After about 20 minutes, Dersonvil was located via the app and was apprehended by police. A firearm, lock and keys from the T-Mobile store and the employees’ cell phones were found in a bush nearby. Dorcil was subsequently identified as the second perpetrator and surrendered to police on April 30, 2016.

Traces of Dersonvil’s DNA were found on the recovered gun. A portion of the duct tape that was used to bind the employees’ hands had traces of Dorcil’s DNA.

The case was prosecuted by Assistant District Attorney Julie DeGenaro, Deputy Bureau Chief of the District Attorney’s Green Zone Trial Bureau, and Assistant District Attorney Aaron Fishkin, also of the Green Zone, under the supervision of Assistant District Attorney David Klestzick, Bureau Chief.

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Man Sentenced to 50 Years to Life in Prison for Fatally Stabbing 6-Year-Old Boy and Seriously Wounding 7-year-Old Girl Inside Elevator

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Tuesday, May 22, 2018

 

Man Sentenced to 50 Years to Life in Prison for Fatally Stabbing
6-Year-Old Boy and Seriously Wounding 7-year-Old Girl Inside Elevator

Stabbed Innocent Children 27 Times; Identified by Witnesses and
Via DNA Analysis of Steak Knife Used in the Attack

Brooklyn District Attorney Eric Gonzalez today announced that a 31-year-old man was sentenced to 50 years to life in prison for a brutal 2014 knife attack inside an elevator in East New York, Brooklyn. The unprovoked stabbing claimed the life of 6-year-old Prince Joshua (PJ) Avitto, and seriously wounded his best friend, 7-year-old Mikayla Capers.

District Attorney Gonzalez said, “This defendant committed an unspeakable crime when he attacked two defenseless young children for no reason, killing one and leaving the other seriously injured. Today’s sentence ensures that he will not be able to harm any other innocent people. I know that PJ’s loved-ones will never be consoled and that Mikayla, whose courageous testimony helped to obtain this conviction, will forever carry this tragedy with her. But I hope that they will find some solace by knowing that justice was done.”

The District Attorney identified the defendant as Daniel St. Hubert, 31, of Cypress Hills, Brooklyn. He was sentenced today by Brooklyn Supreme Court Justice Vincent Del Giudice to 50 years to life in prison following his conviction last month of second-degree murder and second-degree attempted murder after a jury trial.

The District Attorney said that, according to trial testimony, on June 1, 2014, a sunny Sunday afternoon, PJ, 6, and Mikayla, 7, were playing tag in a playground outside the housing development where they both lived. At about 5:40 p.m., the children asked for permission to go up to PJ’s home, at 845 Schenck Avenue, in East New York, Brooklyn, to get some Italian icees.

The two children entered the elevator, followed by the defendant. The evidence showed that the defendant then repeatedly stabbed and slashed the victims with a steak knife. PJ was stabbed 11 times and died at the scene from wounds to his chest. Mikayla was stabbed 16 times, but miraculously survived, and managed to crawl to the building’s entrance.

One witness saw the defendant enter the elevator and then leave the building a short time later. Two other witnesses saw him fleeing the location and stumbling in a grassy area outside the building, according to testimony. A steak knife was later recovered from the area where he stumbled. DNA recovered from the handle of the knife matched the defendant and blood from the blade was a match to the two victims, the evidence showed.

Furthermore, the defendant was seen in a surveillance video, wearing the same clothes described by the witnesses, about two blocks from the crime scene approximately 10 minutes after the incident. A search warrant that was later executed at his residence recovered packaging from a four-piece knife set that contained one knife with the same make and model as the knife that was used in the attack.

On June 4, 2014, just before he was apprehended, the evidence showed, the defendant was seen making graffiti with a black marker on a stop sign. That inscription read: “$Kills I will BK.”

The case was prosecuted by Assistant District Attorney Patrick O’Connor, Deputy Chief of the District Attorney’s Violent Criminal Enterprises Bureau, and Senior Assistant District Attorney Gillian DiPietro, also of VCE, under the supervision of Assistant District Attorney Nicole Chavis, VCE Bureau Chief, and the overall supervision of Mark Feldman, Senior Executive Assistant District Attorney for Crime Strategies and Investigations.

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Brooklyn Man Sentenced to 18 Years in Prison for Shooting a Man During Alleged Revenge Killing in Bedford-Stuyvesant

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Friday, May 18, 2018

 

Brooklyn Man Sentenced to 18 Years in Prison for Shooting a Man During Alleged Revenge Killing in Bedford-Stuyvesant

Brooklyn District Attorney Eric Gonzalez today announced that a 34-year-old Brooklyn man has been sentenced to 18 years in prison for fatally shooting a man in 2015 during an alleged revenge killing in a Bedford-Stuyvesant courtyard in broad daylight.

District Attorney Gonzalez said, “The defendant’s brazen actions ended a man’s life and simultaneously put others in danger. I am committed to bringing dangerous individuals to justice and keeping Brooklyn safe for all of our residents.”

The District Attorney identified the defendant as Tyshon Knight, 34, of Bedford-Stuyvesant, Brooklyn. He was sentenced yesterday by Brooklyn Supreme Court Justice Danny Chun to 18 years in prison and five years’ post-release supervision. The defendant was convicted of first-degree manslaughter and four counts of second-degree criminal possession of a weapon following a bench trial in February.

The District Attorney said that, according to the evidence, on May 27, 2015, at approximately 3:30 p.m., the defendant exited a car, walked towards the victim and started shooting. The victim, Jamaal Anderson, 31, was sitting in a courtyard at 1615 Fulton Street in Bedford-Stuyvesant. As the defendant and his co-defendant, Isaac Bryant, began shooting, Anderson started running away but was shot in the back and collapsed. The defendants fired 13 gunshots into a courtyard full of people, then ran back to the car and drove off.

The victim was taken to Interfaith Medical Hospital where he was pronounced dead due to the gunshot wound to his back.

The shooting was allegedly in retaliation for Knight’s brother being shot, according to testimony during the Bryant murder trial. Bryant was sentenced to 23 years to life in prison in February after his conviction on second-degree murder. The police recovered video surveillance of the shooting, depicting the moments before and after the incident. Shell casings from two different weapons were also recovered at the scene.

The case was prosecuted by Senior Assistant District Attorney Ernest Chin, of the District Attorney’s Homicide Bureau, and Senior Assistant Attorney Douglas Marquez, 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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Brownsville Man Pleads Guilty to Manslaughter in Shaking Death Of 2-Year-Old Stepdaughter, Faces 16 Years in Prison

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Wednesday, May 16, 2018

 

Brownsville Man Pleads Guilty to Manslaughter in Shaking Death
Of 2-Year-Old Stepdaughter, Faces 16 Years in Prison

Defendant Admits Violently Shaking Child on Multiple Occasions

Brooklyn District Attorney Eric Gonzalez today announced that a Brownsville man has pleaded guilty to manslaughter for violently shaking his 2-year-old stepdaughter on multiple occasions, causing her death.

District Attorney Gonzalez said, “This defendant viciously attacked a helpless child who was left in his care, taking the life of an innocent, healthy little girl. He has now been held accountable for his cruel and senseless actions and I would urge parents to be extremely careful when choosing caregivers.”

The District Attorney identified the defendant as David Adams, 28, of Brownsville, Brooklyn. The defendant pleaded guilty to first-degree manslaughter today before Brooklyn Supreme Court Justice Deborah Dowling, who indicated she would sentence the defendant to 16 years in prison and 10 years’ post-release supervision when he is sentenced on June 8, 2018.

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 snap back and forth rapidly. Immediately following that incident the defendant allegedly noticed that the child’s body had become rigid and did not respond to external stimuli.

The District Attorney said that, according to the investigation, on November 12, 2014, between 3 and 4:30 p.m., the defendant saw Thaiya Spruill-Smith’s body become rigid and he shook her rapidly several times, causing her head to snap back and forth, causing her body to go limp. He then shook her again several times, causing her body to become rigid. The child’s mother, Teoka Spruill-Adams, 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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Brownsville Man Sentenced to 23 Years in Prison for Shooting Innocent Man in Fort Greene

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Wednesday, May 16, 2018

 

Brownsville Man Sentenced to 23 Years in Prison for Shooting
Innocent Man in Fort Greene

Victim was ambushed as he was leaving his apartment

Brooklyn District Attorney Eric Gonzalez today announced that a 24-year-old Brooklyn man was sentenced to 23 years in prison for fatally shooting an innocent man at a Fort Greene housing complex in 2015 in retaliation for his alleged involvement in a robbery.

District Attorney Gonzalez said, “The defendant thought himself above the law by taking matters into his own hands, and in the process senselessly ended the life of an innocent man. I’m committed to prosecuting violent criminals and making Brooklyn safe for all its residents.”

The District Attorney identified the defendant as Leonaldo Parrado, 24, of Brownsville, Brooklyn. He was sentenced today by Brooklyn Supreme Court Justice Danny Chun to 23 years in prison. The defendant was convicted of first-degree manslaughter and second-degree criminal possession of a weapon following a jury trial in April.

The District Attorney said that, according to the evidence, on February 19, 2015, at approximately 1:50 p.m., the defendant entered the courtyard of the Whitman Houses on Myrtle Avenue in Fort Greene, Brooklyn. The defendant fired four to five shots at Kevin Colon, 20, as he exited the building where he lived with his mother. Video surveillance captured the defendant leaving the scene after the shooting.

Colon was taken to Brooklyn Hospital where he was later pronounced dead from the multiple gunshot wounds.

The shooting was in retaliation for an incident in 2014 when Parrado was robbed by men wearing clown masks, according to trial testimony. The defendant mistakenly believed that Colon was involved in the robbery. Parrado was arrested on September 19, 2015, near his home in Brownsville after a lengthy police investigation.

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

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Flatbush Man Indicted for Vehicular Assault for Crashing his Car Into Another Vehicle While Drunk, Then Striking Four Pedestrians

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Wednesday, May 16, 2018

 

Flatbush Man Indicted for Vehicular Assault for Crashing his Car
Into Another Vehicle While Drunk, Then Striking Four Pedestrians

Struck Three in Crosswalk and One on Sidewalk;
Defendant’s Blood Alcohol Level Nearly Twice the Legal Limit

Brooklyn District Attorney Eric Gonzalez today announced that a 27-year-old Brooklyn man has been indicted for vehicular assault and other charges in connection with a series of crashes he allegedly caused when driving drunk in Flatbush, striking another car, a group of pedestrians and a man who was standing on the sidewalk.

District Attorney Gonzalez said, “This defendant’s alleged unlawful and dangerous actions left a trail of injuries and carnage when he allegedly drove drunk. Brooklyn’s streets must be safe for pedestrians, cyclists and drivers alike, and I intend to continue to hold motorists who engage in criminal behavior accountable.”

The District Attorney identified the defendant as David Olivier, 27, of Flatbush, Brooklyn. He was arraigned yesterday before Brooklyn Supreme Court Justice Martin Murphy on a 14-count indictment in which he is charged with second-degree vehicular assault, second-degree assault, first-degree reckless endangerment and related counts. Bail was set at $150,000 bond or $75,000 bail and the defendant was ordered to return to court on June 6, 2018. He faces up to 7 years in prison if convicted of the top count with which he is charged.

The District Attorney said that, according to the investigation, on April 13, 2018, at approximately 8:40 p.m., the defendant was operating a 2004 silver Mercedes-Benz, driving southbound on Flatbush Avenue. At the intersection of Farragut Road, his car allegedly struck a white BMW that was traveling northbound on Flatbush Avenue and attempted to make a left turn onto Farragut Road. As a result of the collision, the BMW crashed into a gold Honda.

The defendant continued going south on Flatbush Avenue and struck three pedestrians, ages 16, 21 and 22, who were standing on the street corner by the crosswalk. He then allegedly drove onto the sidewalk and struck a fourth pedestrian, 45, who was standing at a phone booth. All four pedestrians were thrown to the ground in front of the defendant’s car, the evidence shows.

The injured pedestrians all suffered various fractures. The drivers of the BMW and Honda suffered pain and bruising. The defendant, who sustained a broken neck, refused saliva, breath and blood tests to test for alcohol. Pursuant to a warrant, blood that was drawn as part of the defendant’s treatment was analyzed and the testing showed that his blood alcohol level after the crash stood at 0.14, twice the legal limit of .08.

The case is being prosecuted by Assistant District Attorney Maria Neri of the District Attorney’s Green Zone Trial Bureau, under the supervision of Assistant District Attorney David Klestzick, Bureau Chief, and Assistant District Attorney Craig Esswein, Chief of the District Attorney’s Vehicular Crimes Unit.

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

 

East Flatbush Man Convicted of Murder for Strangulation Death Of His Former Girlfriend, Who Had Order of Protection Against Him

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Tuesday, May 15, 2018

 

East Flatbush Man Convicted of Murder 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 convicted of second-degree murder for the strangulation death of his former girlfriend, 25-year-old Deneisha Smith.

District Attorney Gonzalez said, “This was a brutal and vicious assault of an innocent woman who had her whole life ahead of her. The defendant is now facing up to life in prison for this callous murder. I remain committed to pursuing justice for all individuals injured or killed by current or former intimate partners.”

The District Attorney identified the defendant as Rolanso Lexune, 34, of East Flatbush, Brooklyn. He was convicted of second-degree murder yesterday following a jury trial before Brooklyn Supreme Court Justice Jill Konviser. He will be sentenced on June 11, 2018, at which time he faces 25 years to life in prison.

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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Bay Ridge Man Sentenced to Up to Nine Years in Prison For Killing Young Cyclist While Driving Drunk

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Monday, May 14, 2018

 

Bay Ridge Man Sentenced to Up to Nine Years in Prison
For Killing Young Cyclist While Driving Drunk

Swerved Across Center Median and Struck 17-Year-Old Victim Head On

Brooklyn District Attorney Eric Gonzalez today announced that a 26-year-old Brooklyn man was sentenced to up to nine years in prison for fatally striking 17-year-old Sean Ryan while driving drunk at a high rate of speed in Gerritsen Beach.

District Attorney Gonzalez said, “This defendant’s reckless and criminal driving took the life of a promising teenager who was doing nothing more than riding his bike. I am determined to continue prosecuting dangerous motorists who kill others on Brooklyn’s roadways, which should be safe for everyone who uses them.”

The District Attorney identified the defendant as Thomas Groarke, 26, of Bay Ridge, Brooklyn. He was sentenced today by Brooklyn Supreme Court Justice Matthew Sciarrino to an indeterminate sentence of three to nine years in prison following his guilty plea in March to second-degree manslaughter, which was offered by the Court over the prosecutor’s objection.

The District Attorney said that, according to the investigation, on July 17, 2016 at approximately 8:45 p.m., the defendant was driving a 2015 Honda Accord, returning with four passengers from a day of drinking at the Tiki Bar in Staten Island. The defendant was going approximately 80 mph on Gerritsen Avenue when, near the intersection of Florence Avenue, he swerved to pass a slower vehicle.

The defendant’s car crossed the center median and struck 17-year-old Sean Ryan, who was riding his bicycle in the other direction, killing him instantly, the evidence showed. Two other people suffered minor injuries. The defendant’s blood alcohol level was measured about two and a half hours after the crash at .14, nearly twice the legal limit of .08.
The case was prosecuted by Assistant District Attorney Nicole Itkin, Deputy Bureau Chief of the District Attorney’s Green Zone Trial Bureau, under the supervision of Assistant District Attorney David Klestzick, Bureau Chief, and Assistant District Attorney Craig Esswein, Chief of the District Attorney’s Vehicular Crimes Unit.

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