About Ernest Johnson

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Friday, October 6, 2017

 

Brooklyn Man Convicted of 2004 Rape of 68-Year-Old Fort Greene Woman
Following Cold Case DNA Hit

Faces up to 25 Years in State Prison at Sentencing

Acting Brooklyn District Attorney Eric Gonzalez today announced that a 47-year-old man has been convicted of raping a 68-year-old woman after breaking into her Fort Greene apartment in 2004. The defendant was charged with the rape as a result of a “cold hit” following his 2013 arrest in an attempted kidnapping case for which he was required to provide a DNA profile to the New York State DNA databank.

Acting District Attorney Gonzalez said, “With this conviction we bring long-overdue justice to this vulnerable victim who now, at age 81, courageously took the witness stand and testified against the defendant. This violent predator deserves to spend many years in prison.”

The Acting District Attorney identified the defendant as Willie Weathers, 47, of Brooklyn. He was convicted of first-degree rape today following a jury trial before Brooklyn Supreme Court Justice Ruth Shillingford, who set sentencing for October 23, 2017, at which time he faces up to 25 years in prison.

The Acting District Attorney said that, according to trial testimony, on July 27, 2004, at approximately 7 p.m., the defendant pushed his way into the victim’s Fort Greene, Brooklyn, apartment, breaking down her door. He strangled and raped her. Before fleeing, he took money from her dresser and ripped a chain and a bracelet off of her body.

The victim’s husband returned home from church approximately a half hour after the defendant fled, found his wife and asked a neighbor to call the police. She was taken to Brooklyn Hospital and a sexual assault evidence collection kit was administered.

The defendant was arrested on July 29, 2013, for an attempted gunpoint kidnapping and his DNA was uploaded into the New York State DNA databank and was a match for the DNA collected from the victim in the 2004 rape kit. He is presently serving 10 years in prison after pleading guilty to second-degree attempted kidnapping.

The case was prosecuted by Senior Assistant District Attorney Alana Tierney and Senior Assistant District Attorney Deborah Cohen, of the District Attorney’s Special Victims Bureau, under the supervision of Assistant District Attorney Miss Gregory, Chief.

#

 

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Friday, October 6, 2017

 

Brooklyn Teenager Indicted for Shooting Man and Wounding
Two-Year-Old Baby outside Subway Station

Bullet Struck Intended Victim in Thigh and Grazed Toddler’s Knee

Acting Brooklyn District Attorney Eric Gonzalez today announced that a 19-year-old Brooklyn teenager has been indicted for attempted murder and assault for allegedly shooting a man outside a subway station in Brownsville, Brooklyn. The bullet went through the victim’s leg and grazed a baby, who was sitting in a stroller nearby.

Acting District Attorney Gonzalez said, “This defendant had the audacity to allegedly open fire during rush hour in the middle of a busy street. As is the case all too often, he also struck an innocent bystander—a young baby who thankfully survived. We will never accept such cases of gun violence in Brooklyn and will prosecute them vigorously.”

The Acting District Attorney identified the defendant as Lyemel Summerville, 19, of Bedford-Stuyvesant, Brooklyn. He was arraigned today before Brooklyn Supreme Court Justice Martin Murphy on an indictment in which he is charged with second-degree attempted murder, first-degree assault, second-degree criminal possession of a weapon and related counts. The defendant was ordered held on $50,000 bond or $25,000 bail and to return to court on November 20, 2017. He faces a maximum sentence of 25 years in prison if convicted.

The Acting District Attorney said that on August 19, 2017, at about 5:15 p.m., outside a subway station near the corner of Sutter Avenue and Junius Street in Brownsville, the defendant was arguing with a 20-year-old man, according to the investigation.

The defendant then allegedly fired at least one shot, striking the victim in the right thigh, according to the investigation. The bullet went through the victim’s leg and grazed the knee of a 2-year-old baby who was sitting in a baby stroller that was being pushed by his grandfather. A .25-caliber shell casing was recovered from outside the station.

The older victim was hospitalized for several days for the gunshot wound. The baby was taken to a hospital, where he was treated and released. The defendant’s photo was distributed to the media and he was arrested on September 2, 2017.

The case is being prosecuted by Senior Assistant District Attorney Christopher Myco of the District Attorney’s Trial Bureau Orange Zone, under the supervision of Assistant District Attorney Janet Gleeson, Bureau Chief.

#

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

 

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Tuesday, October 3, 2017

 

Brooklyn Man Sentenced to 20 Years in Prison
For Shooting Death of Canarsie Man

Acting Brooklyn District Attorney Eric Gonzalez today announced that a 28-year-old Brooklyn man has been sentenced to 20 years in prison for fatally shooting a man outside a house in Canarsie where the defendant’s girlfriend was residing.

Acting District Attorney Gonzalez said, “This defendant senselessly shot and killed a young man who had his whole life ahead of him. He has now been held accountable and will spend many years in prison for his actions.”

The Acting District Attorney identified the defendant as Brian Williams, 28, of Brownsville, Brooklyn. He was sentenced today to 20 years in prison and five years’ post-release supervision by Brooklyn Supreme Court Justice Dena Douglass. The defendant was convicted of first-degree manslaughter and second-degree criminal possession of a weapon following a jury trial in August.

The Acting District Attorney said that, according to trial testimony, on February 13, 2016, at approximately 5:45 p.m., the defendant was visiting his ex-girlfriend at a house on East 93rd Street in Canarsie, Brooklyn. He then got into an argument with Javane Laurent, 24, who was the son of the homeowner. Laurent was enraged that Williams had brought a gun to his house. Laurent grabbed a machete from his room and used it to guide the defendant out of the house. Once outside, the defendant shot Laurent multiple times in the back. He was taken to Brookdale Hospital, where he was pronounced dead.

The case was prosecuted by Senior Assistant District Attorney Jamie Begley, of the District Attorney’s Homicide Bureau, and Senior Assistant District Attorney Justin Marrus, of the District Attorney’s Trial Bureau Orange Zone, under the supervision of Assistant District Attorney Timothy Gough, Homicide Bureau Chief.

#

 

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Tuesday, October 3, 2017

 

Flatbush Man Sentenced to 24 Years in Prison for
Shooting Innocent 13-year-old Boy in the Eye

Second Victim, Who was the Intended Target, Shot in the Leg

Acting Brooklyn District Attorney Eric Gonzalez today announced that a 24-year-old Brooklyn man was sentenced to 24 years in prison for shooting a 13-year-old boy in the eye, in broad daylight, while attempting to gun down a rival. The intended target was struck in the leg.

Acting District Attorney Gonzalez said, “The young victim of this senseless shooting, who bravely endured multiple surgeries and lost an eye, will suffer the consequences of it for the rest of his life. Today’s sentence holds the defendant accountable and should serve as a warning that gun violence such as this will not be tolerated on the streets of Brooklyn.”

The Acting District Attorney identified the defendant as Kareem Potomont, 24, of Flatbush, Brooklyn. He was sentenced today by Brooklyn Supreme Court Justice Ruth Shillingford to 24 years in prison following his conviction last month of first-degree assault, first-degree attempted assault, first-degree reckless endangerment and second-degree criminal possession of a weapon after a jury trial.

The Acting District Attorney said that, according to trial testimony, on April 14, 2014, at approximately 11:55 a.m., in the vicinity of Flatbush Avenue and Beverley Road, the defendant opened fire on a 24-year-old man, striking him in the leg. The 13-year-old, who was waiting for a bus with his aunt and cousin, was struck in the right eye by a stray bullet.

The defendant was captured on videotape shooting the firearm and then fleeing the scene. He was arrested three days later after being located in the basement of a house in Jamaica, Queens.

The older victim was treated for his gunshot to the leg and released. The child lost his vision in his right eye and eventually had the eye removed. He underwent multiple surgeries.

The case was prosecuted by Senior Assistant District Attorney Yaniris Urraca, of the District Attorney’s Violent Criminal Enterprises Bureau, and Assistant District Attorney Nicole Chavis, Chief of VCE, under the supervision of Assistant District Attorney Joseph Alexis, Chief of Trials and Assistant District Attorney Patricia McNeill, Deputy Chief of the District Attorney’s Investigations Division, and the overall supervision of Assistant District Attorney Mark Feldman, Senior Executive for Crime Strategies and Investigations.

#

 

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Tuesday, October 3, 2017

 

Queens Man Indicted for Allegedly Stealing Approximately $100,000
From Woman in Mortgage Rescue Scam

Defendant Allegedly Took Monthly Payments, But Failed to Apply Them to Mortgage

Acting Brooklyn District Attorney Eric Gonzalez today announced that a Queens man has been indicted on charges of grand larceny for allegedly stealing approximately $100,000 from a woman who hired him to help save her East New York home from foreclosure.

Acting District Attorney Gonzalez said, “When the victim in this case hired the defendant to help save her house she had no idea he was allegedly a heartless crook who was pocketing her hard earned cash, even though he knew his scam would eventually cost her dearly. She’s now lost her home, but we hope to get justice for her by holding this defendant accountable.”

The Acting District Attorney identified the defendant as Ravin Lakhram, 45, of Jamaica, Queens. He was arraigned today before Brooklyn Supreme Court Justice Danny Chun on an indictment in which he is charged with second- and third-degree grand larceny. He faces up to five to 15 years in prison if convicted on the top count. He was ordered held on bail of $250,000 bond or $100,000 cash and to return to court on December 6, 2017.

The Acting District Attorney said that, according to the indictment, in June 2010, the victim, who was then 56-years-old, feared she was in danger of losing her two-family house, located on New Jersey Avenue in East New York, Brooklyn, to foreclosure. A tenant of hers introduced her to the defendant, who claimed he could get her monthly mortgage payments of approximately $2,600 reduced through a modification. The defendant, however, did not actually cause the mortgage payments to be reduced.

It is alleged that the defendant told the victim that he was able to get her monthly mortgage payment reduced to approximately $1,567 a month. From approximately June 25, 2010, until approximately December 31, 2015, the victim paid the defendant approximately $1,567 a month which he was supposed to put towards her mortgage. Instead, he allegedly kept the money, more than $90,000, and did not forward any of it to the companies holding the mortgage. The house eventually went into foreclosure and the woman’s attorney referred the case to the District Attorney’s office.

The case was investigated by Senior Assistant District Attorney Joseph A. DiBenedetto and Detective Investigator John Peters of the Brooklyn District Attorney’s Office, with assistance from Assistant District Attorney Gavin Miles, Counsel to the District Attorney’s Frauds Bureau.

The case is being prosecuted by Senior Assistant District Attorney Joseph DiBenedetto, of the District Attorney’s Cyber Crimes Unit/Frauds Bureau, under the supervision of Assistant District Attorney Dana Roth, Deputy Chief of the Frauds Bureau, and Assistant District Attorney Richard K. Farrell, Chief of the Real Estate Frauds Unit, and the overall supervision of Assistant District Attorney Patricia McNeill, Deputy Chief of the District Attorney’s Investigations Division.

#

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

 

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Thursday, September 28, 2017

 

Kensington Man Sentenced to 25 Years in Prison
For Fatally Stabbing Landlord with Sword

Apprehended in Airport before Boarding Flight to his Native Bangladesh

Acting Brooklyn District Attorney Eric Gonzalez today announced that a 31-year-old Brooklyn man was sentenced to 25 years in prison for fatally stabbing his landlord with a samurai sword during a dispute inside a basement he was leasing from the victim.

Acting District Attorney Gonzalez said, “This defendant caused a tragic and completely senseless death, taking the life of a beloved businessman and a father of three. He will now serve a very long prison sentence for his brutal and violent conduct.”

The Acting District Attorney identified the defendant as Rasel Siddiquee, 31 of Kensington, Brooklyn. He was sentenced today by Brooklyn Supreme Court Justice Neil Firetog to 25 years in prison and five years’ post-release supervision following his guilty plea earlier this month to first-degree manslaughter.

The Acting District Attorney said that, according to the evidence, on January 6, 2014 the defendant was inside a basement apartment at 546 McDonald Avenue in Kensington, which he was renting from the victim, Mahiuddin Mahmud.

The defendant, who was holding a sword, became angry at the victim over a pedicab license that was received in the mail. He struck the victim with the sword multiple times and continued to strike him in the throat after he fell to the ground, the evidence showed.

The defendant was apprehended on January 8, 2014 in Kennedy Airport after using his credit card to buy a flight ticket to Bangladesh.

The case was prosecuted by Senior Assistant District Attorney Melissa Carvajal, Deputy Bureau Chief of the District Attorney’s Homicide Bureau, under the supervision of Assistant District Attorney Timothy Gough, Chief.

#

 

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Monday, September 25, 2017

 

Hit-and-Run Driver Convicted of Manslaughter
For Killing Cyclist in Williamsburg

Driver Swerved Into Designated Bike Lane

Acting Brooklyn District Attorney Eric Gonzalez today announced that a 57-year-old man has been convicted of reckless manslaughter, leaving the scene of an incident and reckless driving in connection with the 2016 hit-and-run death of 35-year-old Queens cyclist and advocate Matthew von Ohlen.

Acting District Attorney Gonzalez said, “The driver in this case engaged in the types of criminal actions I am determined to prosecute in Brooklyn in order to reduce fatalities on our roads and streets. The jury has now agreed that this was not an accident but a crime, and this defendant will be held responsible for his reckless behavior that cost an innocent man his life.”

The Acting District Attorney identified the defendant as Juan Maldonado, 57, of Williamsburg, Brooklyn. He was convicted today of second-degree manslaughter, leaving the scene of an incident without reporting and reckless driving following a jury trial before Brooklyn Supreme Court Justice Suzanne Mondo. He faces up to 15 years in prison when he is sentenced on October 18, 2017

The Acting District Attorney said that, according to trial testimony, on July 2, 2016, at approximately 2:37 a.m., the defendant was behind the wheel of a black Chevy Camaro in the vicinity of Grand Street and Manhattan Avenue in Williamsburg, Brooklyn.

The defendant swerved into a designated bike lane on Grand Street where the victim was riding his bike, sped through a red light at an intersection and then struck the victim. According to the evidence, the defendant hit the victim’s bicycle from behind causing the victim to fall. The defendant continued driving, running over the victim and dragging him approximately 10 to 20 feet as he sped away. Part of the incident was captured on surveillance video.

The victim was taken to Bellevue Hospital where he was pronounced dead. The cause of death was determined to be blunt force trauma.

The case was prosecuted by Assistant District Attorneys Douglas Marquez and Stephanie Mishler of the District Attorney’s Grey Zone Trial Bureau, under the supervision of Assistant District Attorney Jennifer Nocella, Deputy Bureau Chief, Assistant District Attorney Danielle Eaddy, Chief, and Assistant District Attorney Craig Esswein, Deputy Unit Chief of the District Attorney’s Vehicular Crimes Unit.

#

 

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Monday, September 25, 2017

 

Queens Man Indicted for Stealing a $240,000
Luxury Car Using Stolen Identity

Allegedly Used Forged Driver’s License and Stolen Personal Information to
Purchase Acura Supercar from Brooklyn Dealership

Acting Brooklyn District Attorney Eric Gonzalez today announced that a 45-year-old Queens man has been charged in a 17-count indictment with stealing a $240,000 Acura NSX by allegedly using another man’s stolen personal information to purchase the luxury vehicle at a car dealership in Midwood, Brooklyn.

Acting District Attorney Gonzalez said, “Using a stolen identity, this defendant allegedly bought a luxury vehicle worth nearly a quarter of a million dollars leaving an unknowing victim with an astronomical bill. After a thorough investigation that utilized cutting-edge technology he has now been caught and will face prosecution for his brazen scheme.”

The Acting District Attorney identified the defendant as Brian White, 45, of Flushing, Queens. He was arraigned today before Brooklyn Supreme Court Justice Danny Chun on an indictment in which he is charged with second-, third- and fourth-degree grand larceny, second- and third-degree criminal possession of a forged instrument, first-, second- and third-degree identity theft and related counts. Bail was set at $300,000 bond or $150,000 cash and he was ordered to return to court on November 1, 2017. The defendant faces up to 15 years in prison if convicted on the top count.

The Acting District Attorney said that, according to the indictment, on March 22, 2017, the defendant walked into Plaza Auto Mall in Midwood, Brooklyn with a forged driver’s license of the victim. He also allegedly possessed the victim’s Social Security number, insurance documents and credit information. Using all of that, the defendant filled out a finance application and bought a 2017 Acura NSX for a purchase price of $240,000. He then left the dealership with the vehicle.

A few weeks later, the victim received paperwork in the mail regarding his purported purchase, realized he was defrauded and contacted the dealership, which then notified the Brooklyn DA’s Office.

The defendant was identified by running a photo of him captured at the dealership through facial recognition software. The defendant and the vehicle were also identified through other means, including phone records, license plate readers and intelligence from other agencies, according to the investigation. The defendant was apprehended and charged in a criminal complaint on August 15, 2017.

The Acting District Attorney thanked the Department of Motor Vehicles, the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the United States Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of New York, the United States Pretrial Services Agency and the NYPD’s DA Squad for their assistance with this investigation.

The case is being prosecuted by Senior Assistant District Attorney Michael Boykin, of the District Attorney’s Trial Bureau Green Zone, who was assisted by Assistant District Attorney Gavin Miles, of the District Attorney’s Frauds Bureau, as well as Paralegal Angelika Rostkowska and Deputy Bureau Chiefs Glenn Singer and Richard Boyé of the Green Zone, under the supervision of Assistant District Attorney David Klestzick, Bureau Chief.

#

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

 

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Tuesday, September 19, 2017

 

Private Investigator and Two Others Indicted on Charges of Witness Tampering and Unlawful Surveillance for Allegedly Trying to Keep Victim of Child Sexual Assaults From Testifying Against her Alleged Abuser

Defendants Allegedly Recorded Compromising Images of Victim’s Family Member

Acting Brooklyn District Attorney Eric Gonzalez today announced that a private detective, Vincent Parco, an associate and a client have been indicted for allegedly trying to influence a woman to stop cooperating in the prosecution of a man who allegedly sexually abused her as a child.

Acting District Attorney Gonzalez said, “These defendants allegedly engaged in an illicit and disturbing scheme in an attempt to obstruct justice. They have now been exposed and I intend to hold them accountable. I would also like to commend the victim and her family for their courage in resisting the alleged extortion and reporting it to my office.”

The Acting District Attorney identified the defendants as Vincent Parco, 67, of Manhattan; Tanya Freudenthaler, 41, of Manhattan; and Samuel Israel, 45, of Borough Park, Brooklyn. They were arraigned today on the indictment before Brooklyn Supreme Court Justice Matthew J. D’Emic. Israel is charged with first- and second-degree course of sexual conduct against a child and endangering the welfare of a child. All of the defendants are variously charged with second-degree unlawful surveillance, third- and fourth-degree promoting prostitution; first-degree dissemination of an unlawful surveillance image, fourth-degree tampering with a witness, and second-degree criminal contempt.

Justice D’Emic set bail at $150,000 for Israel and released Parco and Freudenthaler without bail. He ordered them to return to court on October 20, 2017.

The Acting District Attorney said that, according to the investigation, on March 2, 2016, Israel was arrested and subsequently indicted for sexually abusing a woman when she was 12 years old. He was arraigned and bail was set at $100,000 cash or $50,000 bond, which he posted. He was offered a plea to five years’ prison and 10 years’ post-release supervision, which he rejected. An order of protection was issued forbidding him to contact the victim or her family.

In July 2016, according to the investigation, Israel hired Vincent Parco, who owns a private investigative firm, to surreptitiously record embarrassing video images of a family member of the victim to allegedly get the victim to stop cooperating against Israel. He was allegedly paid approximately $17,000.

It is alleged that on December 17, 2016, Tanya Freudenthaler, after being enlisted by Parco, lured the family member to a hotel room in Sunset Park, where she and Parco had installed video recording equipment. She allegedly also hired a prostitute, who she recorded having sex with the family member. The equipment malfunctioned, so Freudenthaler allegedly set up another encounter two days later, on December 19, 2016.

Freudenthaler hired the same prostitute for the second encounter, as well as a second prostitute. The family member was secretly recorded with both women.

On January 6, 2017, Israel appeared in court, was offered the same plea he had been offered earlier in the case, and rejected it. On January 17, 2017, the family member recorded at the hotel was approached by a stranger wearing a scarf who showed him a cell phone video of the hotel encounter and stated: “Be smart. Stop making trouble.” The family member reported the incident to the DA’s office.

Israel’s case proceeded and a trial date was set for June 26, 2017. On June 22, 2017, a stranger approached another member of the victim’s family and showed that person a cell phone containing video from the hotel.

Finally, a third person contacted the family member and allegedly offered to act as a mediator, offering to obtain the video from Israel and destroy it and to obtain a statement from Israel admitting to his crimes as “insurance” in the event the video gets released but he cautioned the family member not to report any of this to the authorities.

This was also reported to the DA’s office and on June 26, 2017, investigators from the District Attorney’s office executed a search warrant at the third party’s home and recovered the video of the hotel encounter and a statement in which Israel makes some admissions as to improperly touching the victim.

Videos of the encounter were also recovered from Parco’s office computer, pursuant to a search warrant, and he subsequently admitted that he was hired by Israel.

The case was investigated by Detective Investigator Sam Chen, under the supervision of Supervising Detective Investigators Michael Seminara and Phil O’Rourke and Deputy Chief William Pettie, and the overall supervision of Chief Investigator Joseph Piraino, of the District Attorney’s Investigations Bureau. KCDA Investigative Analyst Janelle Cacopardo assisted in the investigation.

The case is being prosecuted by Senior Assistant District Attorney Gwen Barnes of the District Attorney’s Special Victims Bureau and Senior Assistant District Attorney Adam S. Libove, of the District Attorneys Public Integrity Unit, under the supervision of Assistant District Attorney Miss Gregory, Chief of the Special Victims Bureau and Assistant District Attorney Michael Spanakos, Chief of the Public Integrity Unit, and the overall supervision of Assistant District Attorney Patricia McNeill, Deputy Chief of the Investigations Division and Assistant District Attorney Mark Feldman, Senior Executive for Crime Strategies and Investigations.

#

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

 

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Monday, September 18, 2017

 

East Flatbush Man Indicted for Forging Deed
To Steal House from Elderly Neighbor

Defendant Allegedly Forged Deed Transferring Ownership
Of Neighbor’s Three-Family House Worth $445,000 to Trust in His Name

Acting Brooklyn District Attorney Eric Gonzalez today announced that an East Flatbush man has been charged with grand larceny, criminal possession of a forged instrument and related charges for allegedly stealing a house owned by his 84-year-old next-door neighbor by forging a deed and other documents that transferred ownership of the property to a trust in his name.

Acting District Attorney Gonzalez said, “This defendant allegedly exploited his elderly neighbor’s absence to brazenly steal her house. As Brooklyn’s real estate values continue to rise, I remain vigilant in my commitment to protect homeowners across the borough, particularly vulnerable seniors, who are all too often the target of unscrupulous individuals.”

The Acting District Attorney identified the defendant as Winston Gregory Hall, also known as “Sage El,” 36, of 388 East 49th Street in East Flatbush, Brooklyn. The defendant was arraigned today before Brooklyn Supreme Court Justice Matthew D’Emic on an indictment in which he is charged with one count of second-degree grand larceny, four counts of second-degree criminal possession of a forged instrument, one count of first-degree falsifying business records and one count of first-degree offering a false instrument for filing. He was released without bail and ordered to return to court on October 19, 2017. The defendant faces up to five to 15 years in prison if convicted of the top count.

The Acting District Attorney said that, according to the investigation, between April and May of 2015, the defendant allegedly perpetrated a fraud to steal the title to 390 East 49th Street in Brooklyn, a three-family home owned by his next-door neighbor, an 84-year-old woman who lives with a family member in New Jersey.

According to the investigation, on April 16, 2015, the defendant created the Winston Gregory Hall Express Trust, of which he was the trustee. One week later, on April 23, 2015, a deed was purportedly executed by the victim, the owner of 390 East 49th Street, transferring ownership of the property to the defendant’s trust. Further, on May 8, 2015, the deed and related tax documents, also allegedly forged, were filed at the New York City Register’s Office. On May 18, 2015, the deed was recorded with the New York City Department of Finance, at which time the estimated market value of the property was $445,000.

A subsequent transfer of the property is under an ongoing investigation.

The Acting District Attorney said that, according to the indictment, the victim stated that she does not know the defendant and never intended to transfer ownership of her home to the defendant.

The case was investigated by Supervising Detective Investigator Michael Seminara of the District Attorney’s Investigations Bureau, under the overall supervision of Chief Investigator Joseph Piraino.

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

#

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