About Ernest Johnson

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Tuesday, January 19, 2016

 

Bay Ridge Insurance Agent Pleads Guilty to Hate Crime Charges
For Targeting Elderly Victims in Financial Fraud

Defendant Stole Almost $4.5 Million in Retirement Plans and Life Savings from 21 Victims;
To Be Sentenced to Four to 12 Years in State Prison

Brooklyn District Attorney Ken Thompson today announced that a Staten Island man with a business in Bay Ridge has pleaded guilty to grand larceny as a hate crime, scheme to defraud and money laundering for targeting vulnerable, elderly victims and scamming them out of almost $4.5 million in hard-earned savings.

District Attorney Thompson said, “Shamefully, this defendant destroyed the retirements of elderly people who trusted him with their life savings. Some of them considered him a friend, but that did not stop him from taking advantage of their age and lack of financial knowledge to steal their money.”

The District Attorney said that the defendant, Paul Simoneschi, 70, of 57 Benedict Avenue, Staten Island, pleaded guilty today to first-degree scheme to defraud, first-degree money laundering and second-degree grand larceny as a hate crime before Brooklyn Supreme Court Justice Danny Chun, who indicated he would sentence the defendant to an indeterminate term of four to 12 years in prison on March 21, 2016. Simoneschi signed judgment orders of restitution totaling $4,477,562, which is the amount he stole from his victims.

Additionally, Simoneschi’s corporation, Simmons Planning Group & Agency, Inc., pleaded guilty to first-degree scheme to defraud, first-degree money laundering and second-degree grand larceny.

The District Attorney said that between March 10, 2008 and  July 29, 2015, the defendant, who is a licensed insurance agent and financial planner, owned and operated Simmons Planning Group & Agency Inc., located at 8403 7^th Avenue, in Bay Ridge, Brooklyn, and sold insurance policies and annuities to his clients.

The defendant developed long-term relationships with some of these clients, including senior citizens who were not financially savvy and over time gained the trust of his clients. Some of the clients were Italian immigrants whom he spoke to in Italian. The investigation revealed that Simoneschi stole from his clients by various means, including:

• Recommending that they surrender their insurance policies and invest the money with him. Instead of investing the money, he allegedly stole it by depositing it into his accounts that he controlled and using the money for himself.
• In other instances, he allegedly surrendered his victims’ insurance policies without their permission or knowledge, forging their names and subsequently depositing the checks into accounts that he controlled.

Simoneschi tried to conceal his crimes by providing false documents to many of his victims, including copies of “new” policies opened on their behalf. At times, he gave them checks purported to be distributions from their policies or accounts, but which were actually checks from other accounts he controlled. In total, he stole $4.477 million from 21 victims, many of whom were in their 60s, 70s, 80s, and 90s. The victims lost amounts ranging from $1,000 to over $1 million.

The District Attorney said that the scheme was discovered after the defendant contacted one of his victims to tell the victim that he should reinvest his money in a new policy. The victim declined the offer, but later discovered that his account had been raided and that only $2,000 remained when the balance should have been more than $300,000. He reported the matter to police. An investigation discovered the additional victims, who had not been aware that they had been victimized.

The case was investigated by Detective Mark Lombardo of the New York City Police Department’s 68^th precinct detective squad, under the supervision of Captain Aaron Klein and Sergeant Regina Debellis.

It was additionally investigated by Detective Investigator Hubert Dixon and Supervising Detective Investigator Robert Addonizio, of the District Attorney’s Investigations Bureau, under the overall supervision Chief Investigator Richard Bellucci. Financial Investigators Ludwig Sanchez and Shaakira Calnick, also of the DA’s Office, assisted in the investigation.

The case was prosecuted by Assistant District Attorneys Maria Leonardi and Heidi Bausk of the District Attorney’s Frauds Bureau, under the supervision of Assistant District Attorney Felice Sontupe, Chief of the Frauds Bureau, and the overall supervision of Executive Assistant District Attorney William E. Schaeffer, Chief of the District Attorney’s Investigations Division and Patricia McNeill, Deputy Chief of the Investigations Division.

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Thursday, January 14, 2016

 

Brooklyn Man Sentenced to 30 Years to Life in Prison for Fatal Shooting

Defendant Fired Multiple Rounds at Victim during Dispute in Canarsie

Brooklyn District Attorney Ken Thompson today announced that a 25-year-old Canarsie man has been sentenced to 30 years to life in prison for the 2013 shooting death of another man, who was shot numerous times in the lobby of an apartment building following an altercation with the defendant.

District Attorney Thompson said, “This murder is another example of the mindless gun violence that occurs all too frequently throughout our country. With today’s sentence, this defendant will now spend the next 30 or more years in prison thinking about the life that he took.”

The District Attorney identified the defendant as Allen Ross, 25, of Canarsie, Brooklyn. He was sentenced today to 30 years to life in prison by Brooklyn Supreme Court Justice Neil Firetog following his conviction last month on charges of second-degree murder and second-degree criminal possession of a weapon after a jury trial. The defendant was sentenced to 20 years to life on the murder conviction and 10 years on the weapon conviction, and the judge ordered the sentences to run consecutive to one another.

The District Attorney said that, according to trial testimony, on October 4, 2013, at approximately 5:46 p.m., at 5706 Farragut Road, the defendant aimed a handgun at Lamar Blackwood and fired, striking the victim multiple times and killing him.

Video surveillance captured a physical altercation between the defendant and the victim just moments before the shooting, after the defendant opened the lobby door for the victim. The video also depicts the defendant holding a gun and shooting the victim before fleeing the scene and taking the gun with him.

The case was prosecuted by Senior Assistant District Attorney Matthew Stewart, of the District Attorney’s Homicide Bureau, under the supervision of Assistant District Attorney Kenneth Taub, Chief.

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Wednesday, January 13, 2016

 

Brooklyn Man Sentenced to 20 Years in Prison for Hate Crime
Against Transgendered Woman in Bushwick

Defendant Shouted Anti-Gay Slurs Before Assaulting Victim, Who Suffered Brain Injury

Brooklyn District Attorney Ken Thompson today announced that a 26-year-old man was sentenced to 20 years in prison following his conviction last month on charges of first-degree assault as a hate crime for striking a 29-year-old transgendered woman in the head with a two by four piece of plexiglass, causing severe injuries.

District Attorney Thompson said, “Hate led to the defendant’s conviction. Justice led to his sentence.”

The District Attorney identified the defendant as Mashawn Sonds, 26, of 36 Hegeman Avenue in Brownsville, Brooklyn. He was sentenced today to 20 years in prison by Brooklyn Supreme Court Justice Danny Chun following his conviction on charges of first-degree assault as a hate crime. The defendant was convicted on December 18, 2015, following a jury trial. This was the first trial conviction secured by the DA’s Hate Crimes Unit, which was created last year and is part of the District Attorney’s Civil Rights Bureau.

The District Attorney said that, according to trial testimony, on October 12, 2014, at approximately 11:20 p.m., on Bushwick Avenue, near Halsey Street, a 29-year-old transgendered woman was walking with a gay male friend when she was approached by the defendant and others, with one of them yelling, “We don’t want f—-s on our block,” among other anti-gay epithets.

The District Attorney said that, according to the investigation, Sonds then picked up a piece of plexiglass and swung it at the victim, Kimball Hartman. As she tried to get away he threw the plexiglass and struck her in the head. The victim was knocked unconscious, began seizing and suffered profuse bleeding from the back of her head. She sustained a traumatic brain injury, underwent surgery to her skull and will likely suffer permanent injuries.

The case was investigated by New York City Police Department Detective Michael Diaz of the Hate Crimes Task Force, under the supervision of Deputy Inspector Mark Magrone, Chief of the Task Force. NYPD Detective James Menton, of the Bronx Special Victims Squad, assisted in the apprehension of the defendant.

The case was prosecuted by Assistant District Attorney Marc Fliedner, Chief of the District Attorney’s Civil Rights Bureau and Assistant District Attorney Carlos Santiago, also of the Civil Rights Bureau, and under the overall supervision of Executive Assistant District Attorney William E. Schaeffer, Chief of the District Attorney’s Investigations Division.

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Thursday, January 7, 2016

 

Statement of Brooklyn District Attorney Ken Thompson on
the Passing of Honorable Judith Kaye

“Honorable Judith Kaye was truly an innovator and pioneer who dedicated her life to improving our court system and to ensuring equal justice for all.  From the implementation of specialized courts to her push for a judicial bench that is a true reflection of New York’s diverse communities, Justice Kaye has left a legacy of outstanding public service.  She was a friend and will truly be missed.”

 

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Monday, January 4, 2016

 

Brooklyn Man Sentenced to 40 Years to Life for Fatal Shooting in Gravesend

Killed Victim with Multiple Gunshots, Shot a Second Man in Arm

Brooklyn District Attorney Ken Thompson today announced that a 33-year-old man was sentenced to 40 years to life in prison for the 2013 murder of a neighbor inside a building in Gravesend, Brooklyn, and for the subsequent attempted murder of another man, who was shot in the arm.

District Attorney Thompson said, “This defendant engaged in senseless gun violence and now deserves to spend many years behind bars for the death and suffering he caused.”

The District Attorney identified the defendant as Tremaine Holmes, 33, of 30 Avenue V in Gravesend, Brooklyn. He was sentenced today to 40 years to life in prison by Brooklyn Supreme Court Justice Vincent Del Giudice, following his conviction on December 8, 2015 of second-degree murder and second-degree attempted murder following a jury trial.

The District Attorney said that, according to trial testimony, at about 11:55 p.m. on August 15, 2013, the defendant fired multiple shots at point blank range, hitting Perice Brown and also striking another individual inside 30 Avenue V. He then chased a third man, firing multiple shots outside the building. Brown died from his injuries and the second victim suffered a gunshot wound to his arm.

The defendant and Brown lived in the same building and were known to each other. The defendant was apprehended in Binghamton, NY on October 15, 2013.

The case was prosecuted by Assistant District Attorney Bernarda Villalona, formerly of the District Attorney’s Violent Criminal Enterprises Bureau, under the supervision of Nicole Chavis, Chief, and the overall supervision of Executive Assistant District Attorney William E. Schaeffer, Chief of the District Attorney’s Investigations Division.

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Monday, December 28, 2015

 

JP Morgan Chase Employees Indicted For Allegedly Stealing
$400,000 from Elderly Victims’ Bank Accounts

Personal Bankers and Two Cohorts Allegedly Used Fake Powers of Attorney, ATM Cards

Brooklyn District Attorney Ken Thompson, together with New York City Police Commissioner William J. Bratton and Social Security Administration Special Agent in Charge Edward J. Ryan, today announced that two personal bankers employed by J.P. Morgan Chase and two other defendants have been arraigned on an indictment in which they are charged with conspiracy and other charges for allegedly stealing approximately $400,000 from the bank accounts of 15 senior citizens and deceased account holders, who were Chase customers.

District Attorney Thompson said, “These defendants, including two who served as personal bankers, are charged with pilfering the accounts of elderly customers. They will all now be held accountable for their shameful scheme to defraud.”

Commissioner Bratton said, “As alleged, these individuals preyed upon the elderly and deceased. Not only did they raid their victims’ savings, they also failed to conceal their deceitful tracks. I commend the investigators and prosecutors involved in this case, whose work ended this fraudulent scheme and resulted in these arrests.”

Special Agent in Charge Ryan said, “That these individuals used their position in the banking industry to steal Social Security funds is an offense against all taxpayers who contribute to Social Security and spend a lifetime working to earn these benefits. I commend our partner in this investigation, the Brooklyn District Attorney’s Office, for their hard work. I encourage the public to report suspected Social Security fraud to the Social Security Fraud Hotline at http://oig.ssa.gov/report or (800) 269-0271.”

The District Attorney identified the defendants as Jonathan Francis, 27, of 75 Martense Street in Flatbush, Brooklyn, and Dion Allison, 30, of 146 LaRose Circle, Marietta, Georgia. They were both employed as personal bankers at J.P. Morgan Chase’s Restoration Plaza branch at 1380 Fulton Street in Bedford-Stuyvesant, Brooklyn. Also charged are Kery Phillips, 40, of 135 Clarkson Avenue in Prospect-Lefferts Gardens, Brooklyn, and Gregory Desrameaux, 24, of 184 Clarkson Avenue in Prospect-Lefferts Gardens, who were not employed by Chase.

All of the defendants are named in a four-count indictment in which they are charged with fourth-degree conspiracy, second- and third-degree grand larceny and first-degree falsifying business records. Allison was arrested today and arraigned before Brooklyn Supreme Court Justice Cassandra Mullen. He was ordered held on bail of $25,000 bond or $15,000 cash and to return to court on February 10, 2016. Francis and Desrameaux were arraigned earlier this month before Brooklyn Supreme Court Justice Danny Chun. Bail was set at $25,000 bond or $15,000 cash for Francis and Desrameaux was released without bail. They were also ordered to return to court on February 10, 2016. Phillips is still being sought by police. The defendants each face up to 15 years in prison if convicted of the top count.

The District Attorney said that, according to the indictment, between August 2012 and October 2013, the defendants Francis and Allison, using their authority as Personal Bankers to access accounts electronically, searched Chase databases for accounts that belonged to elderly Chase clients, had high balances and were dormant, except for regular direct deposits from the Social Security Administration. Some of these account holders were deceased.

Francis and Allison allegedly identified 15 such accounts and without permission or authority from either Chase or the account holders withdrew money from those accounts.

Phillips and Desrameaux allegedly conspired with Francis and Allison to steal money from the accounts. Specifically, Francis and Allison issued Automatic Teller Machine (ATM) cards for the defrauded accounts and the defendants and others used the ATM cards to systematically withdraw money. The defendants allegedly made withdrawals of between $200 and $2,000 (the maximum ATM withdrawal permitted each day) at regular intervals and alternated between several Chase branch ATMs. The defendants used ATM cards for more than one compromised account at the same ATM, and they made withdrawals from each account within seconds.

For example, during April 2013, the defendants allegedly made 42 withdrawals totaling $39,800 from four different victim accounts at four different Chase ATM locations in Brooklyn. The defendants allegedly made a total of 355 ATM withdrawals totaling nearly $298,000 from the 15 compromised accounts during the course of the investigation.

Furthermore, it is alleged, the defendants additionally conspired to steal money from Chase accounts by submitting false and fraudulent Durable Power of Attorney documents, which gave them control of the accounts. The defendants allegedly used the documents to withdraw amounts of up to $9,500 from teller stations. They allegedly made a total of 21 withdrawals in this manner, taking approximately $100,000 from four different accounts.

The case was investigated by New York City Police Detective Adrienne Jones of the Brooklyn District Attorney’s Squad, under the supervision of Sergeant Dominick Longo and Captain Dawit Fikru and Special Agent Angel Rodriguez, of the Office of the Inspector General, Social Security Administration, under the supervision of Assistant Special Agent in Charge John Grasso.

The case is being prosecuted by Senior Assistant District Attorney Adam Zion of the District Attorney’s Cybercrimes Unit, of the Frauds Bureau, under the supervision of Assistant District Attorney Dana Roth, Deputy Bureau Chief and Assistant District Attorney Felice Sontupe, Bureau Chief, and the overall supervision of Executive Assistant District Attorney William E. Schaeffer, 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.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Monday, December 21, 2015

 

Nine Defendants Charged With Operating Heroin Trafficking Ring
In Brooklyn, Queens and Long Island

Conducted Transactions at Several Exits along the Long Island Expressway;
Tens of Thousands of Dollars, Over a Pound of Narcotics and Six Guns Recovered

Brooklyn District Attorney Ken Thompson, together with James J. Hunt, Special Agent in Charge of the New York Division of the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), New York City Police Commissioner William J. Bratton and Joseph D’Amico, Superintendent of the New York State Police, today announced that nine defendants have been variously charged in a 281-count indictment with conspiracy, sale and possession of a controlled substance and criminal possession of a weapon for operating a lucrative heroin distribution ring in Brooklyn, Queens, Nassau and Suffolk Counties.

District Attorney Thompson said, “There’s a growing heroin epidemic spreading throughout our city and country that’s destroying lives and families. This is the second heroin distribution operation that we dismantled in recent months and we intend to continue to do our part to save lives by taking down anyone who deals heroin in Brooklyn.”

DEA Special Agent in Charge James Hunt said, “Chaaibi used legitimate business marketing for illegitimate drug sales. By branding his cut of heroin “Two-Way”, he attracted and retained customers; some who drove far distances in order to purchase his product in bulk for resale on the street. Last week, the CDC released data reporting that in 2014 there were a record number of overdoses, over 47,000 overdose deaths mostly due to opioid pain relievers and heroin. This case is just one of many that exemplify drug law enforcement’s efforts to investigate and dismantle drug trafficking organizations, like the Chaaibi organization, responsible for fueling heroin addiction and overdose deaths.”

New York State Police Superintendent D’Amico said, “I commend the efforts of our members and our law enforcement partners who were able to bring these criminals to justice and keep dangerous drugs off our streets. A drug like heroin destroys communities and puts lives at risk. We will continue to work with our partners to bring these criminals to justice and make sure they get the message that this will not be tolerated in our state.”

The District Attorney said that the investigation was conducted using electronic, video and physical surveillance, and that the indictment charges that between September 2014 and this month the defendants conspired to possess and sell heroin in Brooklyn, Queens and across Long Island. The ring allegedly sold a single “brand” of heroin, called “TWO WAY,” and used custom-made stickers to identify it on the glassines it distributed.

District Attorney Thompson identified the ringleader as Mohamed Chaaibi, 27, of Glendale, Queens. It is alleged that he supplied the heroin and coordinated all the transactions, in Brooklyn and elsewhere, by taking calls from buyers and sending couriers to prearranged locations where sales were conducted.

Miguel Alcaide, 30, of Brownsville, Brooklyn, Dixon Mercado, 42, and Brandon Alvarez, 20, both of Ridgewood, Queens, allegedly acted as runners or couriers who supplied heroin to other named defendants who then re-sold it to their own customers. Kimberly Wong, 32, of Ridgewood, Queens, is a realtor who allegedly helped Chaaibi with proceeds of narcotic sales, assisted him in finding cheap properties for rent and kept a stash of heroin in her residence to use when his runners ran low. Marius Kaczmarczyk, 39, of Maspeth, Queens is allegedly a heroin user who would test the product for Chaaibi and report back his findings.

The defendants were arraigned last week and today before Brooklyn Supreme Court Justice Ruth Shillingford. They are variously charged in a 281-count indictment with second-degree conspiracy, second- and third-degree criminal sale of a controlled substance, third-, fourth- and seventh-degree criminal possession of a controlled substance, second- and third-degree criminal possession of a weapon, criminal possession of a firearm and aggravated unlicensed operation of a motor vehicle. Chaaibi is additionally charged with operating as a major trafficker. The defendants face a maximum sentence of up to life in prison if convicted of the top count with which they are charged. Several additional defendants are being sought.

It is alleged that many of the transactions were conducted in parking lots near exits along the Long Island Expressway. Those included gas stations and a Dunkin’ Donuts shop at Exit 19, gas stations at Exit 25, a Dunkin’ Donuts, CVS pharmacy and gas stations at Exit 37 and a gas station at Exit 56. Other sale locations included street corners in Bushwick, Bay Ridge, Crown Heights and Cobble Hill, Brooklyn.

Cell phone conversations that were intercepted in the course of the investigation showed that the defendants repeatedly discussed the quality of their product, customers’ assessment of its potency and its effectiveness when consumed by snorting versus shooting with a needle.

Finally, a search warrant that was executed at Chaaibi’s residence recovered a loaded .380 firearm and drug paraphernalia with heroin residue. Another search warrant executed at a stash house used by the trafficking ring recovered approximately 13 ounces of uncut heroin, about 2,000 glassines of heroin marked with the “TWO WAY” brand, drug paraphernalia and over 20 cell phones. A total of six guns were recovered during the course of the investigation.

The case was investigated by the DEA’s New York Drug Enforcement Task Force (NYDETF), which is comprised of DEA Special Agents, NYPD Detectives and New York State Police Investigators.

Assistant District Attorneys Maria Schiavone, Gillian DiPietro and Maria Park of the District Attorney’s Violent Criminal Enterprises Bureau are prosecuting the case under the supervision of Assistant District Attorneys Jonathan R. Sennett and Tara Lenich, Deputy Bureau Chiefs, and Assistant District Attorney Nicole Chavis, Bureau Chief, and the overall supervision of Executive Assistant District Attorney William E. Schaeffer, Chief of the District Attorney’s Investigations Division.

DEFENDANT ADDENDUM:

1. Mohamed Chaaibi (Mo), 27, of 79-62 68th Avenue, Queens.
2. Miguel Alcaide (Chippy), 30, of 251 Osborn Street, Brooklyn.
3. Dixon Mercado (Dickie), 42, of 1864 Stockholm Street, Queens.
4. Kimberly Wong, 32, of 2026 Harmon Street, Queens.
5. Brandon Alvarez, 20, of 2026 Harman Street, Queens.
6. Carlos Rodriguez (DJ Cel), 33, of 99 Jamaica Avenue, Medford, Suffolk County.
7. Mariusz Kaczmarczyk (Mashud), 39, of 60-04 56th Drive, Queens.
8. Christina Picciano, 34, of 106 Webster Avenue, Lake Ronkonkoma, Suffolk County.
9. Andres Fernandez (Dre), 29, of 92-01 Jamaica Avenue, Queens.

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

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Friday, December 18, 2015

 

Brooklyn Man Convicted of Assault as a Hate Crime For Vicious Attack on Transgendered Woman in Bushwick

Victim Suffered Traumatic Brain Injury, Underwent Surgery on Her Skull

Brooklyn District Attorney Ken Thompson today announced that a 26-year-old man was convicted of first-degree assault as a hate crime for striking a 29-year-old transgendered woman in the head with a two by four piece of plexiglass, causing severe injuries.

District Attorney Thompson said, “This defendant viciously attacked an innocent woman purely out of hate and left her on the ground for dead.  This was a cowardly, unprovoked and brutal attack on a person who was targeted merely because of her appearance.  Hate crimes are an attack against all of us no matter who we are, and hopefully today’s conviction makes clear to anyone who commits bias-motivated violence in Brooklyn that they will pay a steep price.”

The District Attorney identified the defendant as Mashawn Sonds, 26, of 36 Hegeman Avenue in Brownsville, Brooklyn. He was convicted today of first-degree assault as a hate crime, following a jury trial before Brooklyn Supreme Court Justice Danny Chun. He will be sentenced on January 13, 2016, at which time he faces up to 25 years in prison. This was the first trial conviction secured by the newly-created Hate Crime Unit, which is a part of the District Attorney’s Civil Rights Bureau.

The District Attorney said that, according to trial testimony, on October 12, 2014, at approximately 11:20 p.m., on Bushwick Avenue, near Halsey Street, a 29-year-old transgendered woman was walking with a gay male friend when she was approached by the defendant and others, with one of them yelling, “We don’t want faggots on our block,” among other anti-gay slurs.

The District Attorney said that, according to the investigation, Sonds then picked up a piece of plexiglass and swung it at the victim, Kimball Hartman. As she tried to get away he threw the plexiglass and struck her in the head. The victim was knocked unconscious, began seizing and suffered profuse bleeding from the back of her head. She sustained a traumatic brain injury, underwent surgery to her skull, and will likely suffer permanent injuries.

The case was investigated by New York City Police Department Detective Michael Diaz of the Hate Crimes Task Force, under the supervision of Deputy Inspector Mark Magrone, Chief of the Task Force. NYPD Detective James Menton, of the Bronx Special Victims Squad, assisted in the apprehension of the defendant.

The case is being prosecuted by Assistant District Attorney Marc Fliedner, Chief of the District Attorney’s Civil Rights Bureau and Assistant District Attorney Carlos Santiago, of the District Attorney’s Civil Rights Bureau, and under the overall supervision of Executive Assistant District Attorney William E. Schaeffer, Chief of the District Attorney’s Investigations Division.

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Thursday, December 17, 2015

 

Brooklyn Man Sentenced to 25 Years to Life in Prison for
Kidnapping and Torturing Ex-Girlfriend

Victim Held Captive for a Month; Beaten, Burned with Iron and
Heated Screwdriver, Nearly Died

Brooklyn District Attorney Ken Thompson today announced that a 34-year-old man was sentenced to 25 years to life in prison for a month-long torture he inflicted on his former girlfriend while she was held captive inside his Brooklyn apartment in 2012. The defendant tied up the victim with cords and wires, beat her with a piece of wood and burned her all over her body, leaving her with life-threatening injuries.

District Attorney Thompson said, “The defendant deserves this harsh punishment for his inhumane and barbaric torture of an innocent woman. May this sentence bring some solace to the victim for the unimaginable horror that she endured.”

The District Attorney identified the defendant as Anthony Matthews, 34, of 263A Bainbridge Street in Bedford-Stuyvesant, Brooklyn. He was sentenced today to 25 years to life in prison before Brooklyn Supreme Court Justice Alan Marrus, following his conviction on November 18, 2015 of first-degree kidnapping and first-degree assault after a jury trial.

The District Attorney said that, according to trial testimony, the defendant and the 29-year-old victim maintained an on-again, off-again relationship that was abusive at times. On June 29, 2012, the defendant picked up the victim from her father’s home in Peekskill, NY and brought her to his Brooklyn apartment.

Once in the apartment, the defendant tied her up with extension cords and telephone wires, repeatedly beat her with a 2×4 piece of wood and continuously threatened to kill her, according to testimony. About two weeks into the ordeal, the victim attempted to escape. In response, the defendant beat her up, broke her teeth by shoving a gun into her mouth, burned her inner thighs with a hot iron and mutilated her body, including her genitalia, with a screwdriver that he heated with a lighter, the evidence showed. Throughout the month of captivity, the victim’s family did not know where she was.

On July 30, 2012, Matthews left the victim by the threshold of his mother’s apartment in Bedford-Stuyvesant, rang the bell and fled. He instructed the victim to lie and say she prostituted herself and was attacked by a man she met on Craigslist.

The District Attorney said that the victim was taken to Woodhull Hospital in septic shock due to a serious infection, according to the evidence at trial. She also suffered fractured ribs, spinal damage, lacerated liver, fractured nose, burns all over her body and open wounds that exposed bones.

The case was prosecuted by Senior Assistant District Attorneys Sabeeha Madni and Assistant District Attorney Michael Liben of the District Attorney’s Domestic Violence Bureau, under the supervision of Assistant District Attorney Michelle Kaminsky, Bureau Chief.

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