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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Wednesday, May 10, 2023

East Flatbush Man Sentenced to 15 Years to Life in Prison

For Killing Brooklyn Rapper

Defendant Fatally Shot Victim in Chest After Dispute Over Stolen Cellphone

           Brooklyn District Attorney Eric Gonzalez today announced that an East Flatbush man has been sentenced to 15 years to life in prison for fatally shooting a 30-year-old Brooklyn rapper after a dispute over a stolen cellphone in 2017.

District Attorney Gonzalez said, “This was a tragic and senseless shooting of a man who had his life and budding musical career tragically cut short. Brooklyn is safer with this defendant behind bars, and today’s sentence sends a strong message that gun violence in our neighborhoods will be met with serious consequences.”

The District Attorney identified the defendant as James Oliver, 44, of East Flatbush, Brooklyn. The defendant was sentenced today by Brooklyn Supreme Court Justice Danny Chun to 15 years to life in prison. The defendant pleaded guilty to second-degree murder on April 26, 2023.

The District Attorney said that, according to the evidence, on December 2, 2017, at approximately 10 p.m., inside the lobby of a building at 80 East 92nd Street, in East Flatbush, the defendant and victim, Darnell Pettway, 30, were drinking and gambling with a group of men. The defendant got into a fight with another individual over a stolen cellphone and became enraged when Pettway did not intervene on his behalf. According to the evidence, the defendant then left the location and went to his apartment at 87 East 93rd Street where he was recorded by video surveillance putting a gun into his waistband. The defendant then went back to 80 East 92nd where he shot Pettway several times in the chest.

Pettway, a rapper who performed under the stage “Mook Mula,” was taken to Kings County Hospital where he was pronounced dead.

The defendant fled to Pennsylvania. He was arrested on Jan. 1, 2019, in Upper Saucon Township, after being arrested for an unrelated incident.

The District Attorney thanked Homicide Paralegal Amanda Connolly and Digital Evidence Lab Intelligence Analyst Austin Fedchock for their assistance on the case.

The case was prosecuted by Senior Assistant District Attorney Matthew Midey of the District Attorney’s Homicide Bureau, under the supervision of Assistant District Attorney Leila Rosini, Homicide Bureau Chief.

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Wednesday, April 26, 2023

 

Former Paralegal Indicted for Embezzling Over $400,000

from Brooklyn Law Firm

Defendant Allegedly Stole Settlement Money Belonging to Clients

Brooklyn District Attorney Eric Gonzalez today announced that a former Brooklyn paralegal has been charged with embezzling more than $400,000 from the law firm where he worked. The defendant allegedly stole from the firm’s Interest On Lawyer Account (IOLA) fund, which contained settlement money belonging to firm clients, and then used the money to pay personal expenses, including credit card bills.

District Attorney Gonzalez said, “This defendant allegedly violated the trust of his firm’s clients by stealing hundreds of thousands of dollars to which he was not entitled. Criminal misconduct cannot be tolerated in the legal profession, and we are committed to holding this defendant accountable for his alleged fraud. I thank the U.S. Department of Homeland Securities Investigations for their assistance with the case.”

HSI New York Special Agent in Charge Ivan J. Arvelo said, “As alleged, Steven Cher exploited his trusted position as a paralegal with the Law Office of Yuriy Prakhin to embezzle over $400,000 from several of the firm’s clients. Financial fraud and embezzlement are not victimless crimes. Those who are defrauded often suffer financial and emotional turmoil as they seek to recover from the offenses against them. The success of this investigation highlights the importance of collaborative law enforcement partnerships to apprehend these types of perpetrators and grant justice for their victims. I am especially grateful to HSI New York’s Document & Benefit Fraud Task Force and the Kings County District Attorney’s Office for their work in this investigation.”

The District Attorney identified the defendant as Steven Cher, a.k.a., Vladislav Cherednichenko, 48, recently of Leander, Texas. He was arraigned today before Brooklyn Supreme Court Justice Danny Chun on an indictment in which he is charged with second-degree grand larceny, second-degree money laundering, first-degree identity theft, and thirty-two counts of first-degree falsifying business records. The defendant was released on his own recognizance and ordered to return to court on May 1, 2023.

The District Attorney said that, according to the investigation, from 2015 to 2018, the defendant worked as a paralegal at the Law Office of Yuriy Prakhin where he assisted in handling settlement checks to clients.  It is alleged the defendant stole over $400,000 from the IOLA account.  He deposited approximately $288,611 of these funds into a bank account that he opened in the name of another person.  The defendant also allegedly diverted 16 checks worth $127,524 made out to clients of the firm into bank account in his own name.  Furthermore, it is alleged the defendant used the embezzled funds on travel and restaurants, as well as to pay his credit card bills.

The defendant was arrested in Tennessee earlier this month and waived extradition to New York.

The investigation was conducted by the Kings County District Attorney’s Office with assistance from the U.S. Department of Homeland Security Investigations.

The District Attorney thanked Deputy Joseph Reiber of the Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office in Tennessee for his assistance with the investigation.

The case is being prosecuted by Senior Assistant District Attorney Abigail Rosen of the District Attorney’s Frauds Bureau, under the supervision of Assistant District Attorney Gavin Miles, Bureau Chief of Intake and Case Assessment, Gregory Pavlides, Bureau Chief of Frauds, Michel Spanakos, Deputy Chief of the Investigations Division, and Assistant District Attorney Patricia McNeill, Chief of the Investigations Division.

 

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

 

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Tuesday, April 18, 2023

Bronx Man Sentenced to 25 Years in Prison for Rape of Stranger on A Train

Defendant Approached Woman on Platform at Liberty Avenue,

Then Boarded Subway and Sexually Assaulted Her Multiple Times

           Brooklyn District Attorney Eric Gonzalez today announced that a Bronx man has been sentenced to 25 years in prison for repeatedly sexually assaulting a woman in the early morning hours of August 11, 2021 onboard a northbound A train.

District Attorney Gonzalez said, “This defendant violently and brutally attacked an innocent woman on the subway, and thanks to the victim’s brave testimony he will be held accountable. Protecting our communities from sexual assault is a top priority for my office and I commend the NYPD for their outstanding work apprehending the defendant within hours of this attack.”

The District Attorney identified the defendant as Dashawn Lewis, 32, of the Bronx. He was sentenced today by Brooklyn Supreme Court Justice Phyllis Chu to 25 years in prison and 20 years of post-release supervision. The defendant was convicted of first-degree rape, three counts of first-degree criminal sexual act, third-degree robbery, forcible touching, and theft of services on March 16, 2023, following a jury trial. The defendant must register as a sex offender upon his release from prison.

The District Attorney said that, according to the evidence, on August 11, 2021, at approximately 3:20 a.m., the victim, a 24-year-old woman, was waiting for the subway at the Liberty Avenue station in East New York when the defendant started speaking to her and she ignored him. When she got up to board the train, he touched her buttocks, boarded the train, started yelling at her in front of two other passengers, and then moved into a different car.

Meanwhile, the victim, who was crying, called her friend on Facetime, but the call dropped. The two other passengers got off the train at the next stop, according to the evidence, and the defendant came back into the car, said to her “don’t make me mess up your pretty face,” and forced her to perform a sex act while filming it. He then raped her and again forced her to perform a sex act, took her identification and left the train.

When the victim got off the train at the next stop she was met by her friend and police, as her friend had called 911 when the call dropped. The victim was taken to a hospital, where a sexual assault kit was prepared.

The defendant was arrested for farebeating at approximately 5:45 a.m., at a nearby train station, by New York City police officers who recognized him as fitting the description of the suspect in the sexual assault, and he was subsequently charged. The defendant’s DNA was a match to the sexual assault kit and further evidence of the attack was found on his phone.

           The case was prosecuted by Senior Assistant District Attorneys Gwen Barnes and Paul Hershan, of the District Attorney’s Special Victims Bureau, under the overall supervision of Assistant District Attorney Miss Gregory, Bureau Chief.

 

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Wednesday, April 5, 2023

Brooklyn Man Sentenced to 16 Years in Prison

for Shooting and Wounding NYPD Detective

Defendant Pleaded Guilty to Attempted Murder in January

Brooklyn District Attorney Eric Gonzalez today announced that a Bedford-Stuyvesant man has been sentenced to 16 years in prison following his guilty plea to second-degree attempted murder for opening fire on four New York City Police Officers in 2018. The defendant fired six shots at the officers and wounded one of them, a detective, in the leg.

District Attorney Gonzalez said, “The six shots this defendant fired at officers as he fled could have killed them and highlights the risks our police partners take every day on the job. We will never tolerate violence against law enforcement in Brooklyn, and today’s sentence holds this defendant accountable for his deplorable crime.”

The District Attorney identified the defendant as Kelvin Stichel, 37, of Bedford-Stuyvesant, Brooklyn. He was sentenced today by Brooklyn Supreme Court Justice Justice Claudia Daniels-DePeyster to 16 years in prison and five years’ post-release supervision. The defendant pleaded guilty to second-degree attempted murder on January 26, 2023.

The District Attorney said that on July 7, 2018, at approximately 6:40 a.m., Detective Miguel Soto, a member of the NYPD’s Warrant Squad in Brooklyn North, and three other officers were driving an unmarked car on Fulton Street in Bedford-Stuyvesant when they saw the defendant walking on the sidewalk.

According to the evidence, the officers recognized the defendant from an investigation card for an alleged armed robbery. The defendant saw the officers making a U-Turn and fled the scene, turning onto Tompkins Avenue and then Decatur Street. The officers, who chased the defendant in the car and then on foot, identified themselves and ordered him to display his hands. The defendant then pulled out a .45-caliber handgun. The defendant fired six times at the officers, striking Detective Soto in the right leg. Officers returned fire and struck the defendant once in the left arm.

The defendant was later apprehended at 39 Kingston Street. The .45-caliber handgun used in the shooting was recovered from a trashcan in front of a nearby building.

Detective Soto, a decorated, seven-year-veteran of the NYPD, was taken to Kings County Hospital where he was treated and released.

The defendant was taken to a local hospital for treatment.

The case was prosecuted by Assistant District Attorney Andrea Orlando, Deputy Chief of the District Attorney’s Red Zone Trial Bureau and Senior Assistant District Attorney Jessica Wishart, of the District Attorney’s Blue Zone Trial Bureau, under the supervision of Assistant District Attorney Robert J. Walsh, Chief of the District Attorney’s Grey Zone Trial Bureau and Assistant District Attorney Kin Ng, Chief of the Blue Zone.

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Tuesday, March 28, 2023

 

ATM Burglary Ring Indicted for Alleged Theft of

19 ATMs and Other Items from Stores and Bodegas

Six Men Charged for Break-ins in Brooklyn, Queens and the Bronx;

Allegedly Monitored Police Scanner to Evade Detection

              Brooklyn District Attorney Eric Gonzalez, together with New York City Police Commissioner Keechant L. Sewell, today announced that six men have been variously charged with burglary, grand larceny, conspiracy and other counts in connection with a scheme to break into stores and steal ATMs and other property. The 92-count indictment covers incidents from June 2022 until January 2023, when four of the defendants were arrested in LaGuardia Airport following a 30-minute high-speed chase. Many of the heists were captured on video surveillance.

            District Attorney Gonzalez said, “With today’s indictment, we have dismantled a brazen and persistent alleged burglary ring that targeted small businesses throughout the city. It took meticulous work to build this case and I am thankful to the investigators and prosecutors who put it together. Protecting businesses from break-ins and larceny is an important mission of my office and this case shows our commitment to spending the time and resources necessary to stop criminals from victimizing store owners.”

            Commissioner Sewell said, “These charges put an end to the multi-borough burglary-and-theft spree that potentially netted the defendants tens of thousands of dollars. This lucrative scheme undermined public safety in New York City, and today’s indictment is the next step toward holding these men accountable for their numerous crimes. I commend and thank the NYPD investigators and prosecutors of the Brooklyn District Attorney’s Office who worked closely on all aspects of this important case.”

           The District Attorney identified the defendants as follows: Alex Torres aka “Chacho,” 50, charged with 80 crimes relating to 17 incidents; Francisco Torres aka “Fusion,” 51, charged with 62 crimes, relating to 13 incidents; Jesus Cedeno aka “Capone,” 52, charged 55 crimes relating to 12 incidents; Angel Barbosa aka “Pucci,” 44, charged with 48 crimes relating to 11 incidents; Chris Moustakos aka “Chris the Greek,” 52, charged with eight crimes relating to one incident; and Luis Villanueva aka “Cholo,” 52, charged with six crimes relating to one incident. The defendants all reside in Brooklyn, except for Moustakos whose address is in Roosevelt, LI.  Charges against additional individuals who have assisted the ring are possible.

           The defendants are variously charged in a 92-count indictment with second and third–degree burglary, second-, third-, and fourth–degree grand larceny, possession of burglar’s tools, criminal mischief and other related counts. Alex Torres, Cedeno, Barbosa and Villanueva were arraigned today before Brooklyn Supreme Court Justice Danny Chun, who ordered them held on bail and to return to court on June 7, 2023. Francisco Torres and Moustakos will be arraigned on a later date.

          The District Attorney said that, according to the investigation, from June 23, 2022 to January 18, 2023, the defendants allegedly engaged in a conspiracy to steal ATMs from various stores. It is alleged that they used apartments in Clinton Hill and East New York to prepare for the burglaries. Based on the recovery of police scanners and other evidence, the ring allegedly assigned a member to monitor police scanners during the heists, so they could alert the others if police were approaching and to evade detection.

           Based on the investigation, which included review of surveillance footage, members of the ring allegedly used bolt cutters and other tools to gain access to stores and then rocked the ATM machines back and forth to dislodge them. Their roles in the alleged burglaries varied, according to video surveillance, but, generally, Alex Torres allegedly broke the bolts securing the ATMs and then helped carry them out of the stores. Francisco Torres allegedly was frequently the driver and helped to break stores’ doors. Barbosa and Cedeno allegedly generally acted as lookouts and also helped with breaking into stores. Moustakos allegedly participated in the final burglary. Villanueva allegedly participated in an early burglary.

            On October 26, 2022, Angel Barbosa was arrested for possession of a police scanner.  Days later, on November 1, 2022, he was arrested in possession of two stolen ATMs, after he attempted to flee apprehension and drove into an occupied unmarked police car, injuring two officers.

           The ring grew more cautious after that but continued the alleged heists, the investigation found. On January 18, 2023, Alex and Francisco Torres, Cedeno and Moustakos allegedly burglarized a bodega in South Richmond Hill, Queens, and were exposed by investigators. They then led the authorities on a high-speed chase from there, past Kennedy Airport and ended when their Ford van crashed into a barrier in LaGuardia Airport. The four were arrested and charged in connection with that burglary. The indictment supersedes both the November 1^st and January 18^th charges and adds numerous other crimes pertaining to most of the defendants.

          A total of 11 incidents charged in the indictment took place in Brooklyn, seven in Queens and one in the Bronx. The exact stolen amount in most of the incidents is not known. The largest known amounts are over $60,000 stolen from a wireless store and its ATM in Ridgewood, $20,000 stolen from an ATM from a Bushwick deli, and $6,000 stolen from a cash register of a Cypress Hills mini mart.

         The case was investigated by Detective Investigators assigned to the Brooklyn District Attorney’s Office and the NYPD.

         The case is being prosecuted by Senior Assistant District Attorneys Abigail Rosen and Nicole Lauterbach, of the District Attorney’s Frauds Bureau, with the assistance of Assistant District Attorney Michael Chachura, of the District Attorney’s Grey Zone Trial Bureau, under the supervision of Gregory Pavlides, Frauds Bureau Chief, and the overall supervision of Michel Spanakos, Deputy Chief of the District Attorney’s Investigations Division, and Patricia McNeill, Chief.

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

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Tuesday, March 14, 2023

 

Manhattan Man Indicted for Murder of Off-Duty Police Officer

During Attempted Robbery in East New York

Defendant Allegedly Lured Victim to Scene

By Advertising Car for Sale on Facebook Marketplace

            Brooklyn District Attorney Eric Gonzalez today announced that a Manhattan man has been arraigned on an indictment in which he is charged with murder, attempted robbery and other charges for fatally shooting an off-duty police officer who went to East New York to purchase a vehicle. He has also been indicted for a second robbery under similar circumstances.

            District Attorney Gonzalez said, “Police Officer Adeed Fayaz’ death is a terrible and tragic loss for his family, friends, NYPD colleagues, and the public he selflessly served. My thoughts are with all who are grieving his loss and my office will vigorously seek justice on his behalf.”

            The District Attorney identified the defendant as Randy Jones, 38, of East Harlem, New York. He was arraigned today before Brooklyn Supreme Court Justice Danny Chun on an indictment in which he is charged with first- and second-degree murder, first-degree attempted robbery, second-degree criminal possession of a weapon, first-degree robbery and third-degree grand larceny. The defendant is being held without bail and was ordered to return to court on May 17, 2023. He faces up to life in prison without the possibility of parole if convicted of the top count.

            The District Attorney said that, according to the investigation, on February 4, 2023, at approximately 7 p.m., in the vicinity of 452 Ruby Street, in East New York, Brooklyn, Officer Fayaz and his brother-in-law proceeded to meet with the seller of a Honda Pilot advertised for $24,000 on Facebook Marketplace. They left the cash in Officer Fayaz’ car.

            It is alleged that the defendant, who advertised the vehicle and arranged the meeting, pulled a gun and demanded money. When told they didn’t have the money, the defendant allegedly shot Officer Fayaz in the head and fled. The brother-in-law grabbed Officer Fayaz’ gun and engaged in a gun battle with the defendant, who fled the scene.

           Officer Fayaz, 26, was taken to Brookdale Hospital and was pronounced dead on February 7, 2023.

           The defendant was apprehended by police in a hotel in Rockland County on February 7, 2023.

           The defendant was also indicted for another incident that occurred on January 13, 2023, for allegedly luring another person to the same location after advertising a Honda Odyssey for sale on Facebook Marketplace. When the buyer arrived at the scene, the defendant allegedly pulled a gun and demanded money, robbing him of approximately $18,000.

           The District Attorney thanked Homicide Paralegals Jannette Ayala and Amanda Connolly for their assistance on the case.

           The case is being prosecuted by Assistant District Attorney Leila Rosini, Chief of the District Attorney’s Homicide Bureau, and Senior Assistant District Attorney Matthew Midey, also of the Homicide Bureau.

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

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Wednesday, February 15, 2023

 

Brooklyn Man Sentenced to 10 Years in Prison for Unprovoked Anti-Gay Attack After Pleading Guilty to Attempted Murder as a Hate Crime

Victims Were Shopping in Bodega when Defendant and Alleged Accomplice Shouted Homophobic Slurs, Violently Attacked and Stabbed Each of the Two Victims

Brooklyn District Attorney Eric Gonzalez today announced that a Bedford-Stuyvesant man who pleaded guilty to attempted murder as a hate crime in connection with an anti-gay attack against two men at a Bushwick bodega was sentenced to 10 years in prison. Both victims were assaulted and stabbed and suffered numerous injuries, including collapsed lungs.

District Attorney Gonzalez said, “This vicious attack on two innocent victims was an intolerable act of anti-gay violence, and today’s sentence sends a strong message that we will vigorously prosecute anyone who commits a hate crime. Nobody should fear that they’ll be attacked because of their sexual orientation or gender identity, and we are committed to vigilantly protecting the rights of Brooklyn’s LGBTQ community.”

The District Attorney identified the defendant as Christopher Clemente, 38, of Bedford-Stuyvesant, Brooklyn. He was sentenced today to 10 years in prison and five years’ post-release supervision by Brooklyn Supreme Court Justice Danny Chun, who also issued a full order of protection for the victims. The defendant pleaded guilty to second-degree attempted murder as a hate crime on January 25, 2023.

The case against Clemente’s co-defendant, Jonathan Carter, 33, of Ocean Hill, Brooklyn remains pending.

The District Attorney said that, according to the investigation, at approximately 2:10 a.m., on September 4, 2021, inside of a bodega located at 1559 Broadway in Bushwick, the victims, a 36-year-old man and a 29-year-old man, were waiting for food when the defendants allegedly made a series of homophobic slurs directed at the victims.

Clemente then repeatedly punched the 36-year-old man in the face and Carter then allegedly repeatedly struck him about the head and body with a glass liquor bottle, causing him to fall to the floor. Furthermore, Clemente then repeatedly stabbed the 36-year-old in the head and body.

Finally, Clemente and an unapprehended man chased after the 29-year-old victim, grabbing him, and Clemente punched him about the face and body while also stabbing him and continuing to make homophobic slurs.

The older victim suffered multiple stab wounds to his body, including his head, buttocks and lung, causing a collapsed left lung.

The younger victim suffered multiple stab wounds to his body, including neck and lungs, causing both lungs to collapse and was hospitalized for 13 days.

The case was prosecuted by Senior Assistant District Attorney Samantha Perlstein, of the District Attorney’s Hate Crimes Bureau, under the supervision of Assistant District Attorney Kelli M. Muse, Bureau Chief.

 

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Wednesday, January 25, 2023

 

Prospect Lefferts Gardens Man Indicted for Illegal Possession of Ghost Guns

Four Fully Assembled Handguns Recovered from Defendant’s Apartment; Investigators Also Allegedly Find Tools and Parts to Assemble Additional Weapons and Ammo

Brooklyn District Attorney Eric Gonzalez today announced the indictment of a Prospect Lefferts Gardens man who allegedly purchased dozens of gun parts on eBay capable of being built into illegal, untraceable firearms known as ghost guns. Four fully assembled handguns were allegedly recovered from his apartment, as well as 9mm rounds of ammunition, and various tools and polymer parts to assemble additional weapons and ammunition.

District Attorney Gonzalez said, “This defendant allegedly assembled four handguns and acquired the parts and tools to make more, illustrating the ease with which someone can obtain and make these lethal and untraceable weapons, and the increasing threat they pose to public safety. Eradicating deadly ghost guns from Brooklyn is a priority for my office, and we are committed to holding accountable anyone who traffics, makes, or possesses them.”

The District Attorney identified the defendant as Dexter Nurse, 49, of Prospect Lefferts Gardens, Brooklyn. He was arraigned today before Brooklyn Supreme Court Justice Matthew Sciarrino on an indictment in which he is charged with second-, third-, and fourth-degree criminal possession of a weapon, criminal possession of a firearm, prohibition on unfinished frames or receivers and unlawful possession of pistol ammunition. Bail was continued at $250,000 bond. The defendant was ordered to return to court on April 11, 2023.

The District Attorney said that, following an investigation, from January 2022 to October 2022, the defendant was identified as having made 56 firearm related purchases on eBay for ghost gun parts that were allegedly shipped to the defendant’s address on Lefferts Avenue in Prospect Lefferts Gardens. A search warrant was executed at the defendant’s apartment on November 29, 2022, and numerous items were allegedly recovered, including four fully assembled handguns. Investigators also allegedly found 9mm rounds of ammunition, and various tools and polymer parts to assemble additional weapons, as well as a machine press to manufacture ammunition.

The investigation was conducted by the Brooklyn District Attorney’s Ghost Gun Unit

The case is being prosecuted by Senior Assistant District Attorney Michael O’Rourke, of the District Attorney’s Violent Criminal Enterprises Bureau, under the supervision of Assistant District Attorney Kathryn Spota, VCE Deputy Bureau Chief and Assistant District Attorney Jennifer Cilia, VCE First Deputy Bureau Chief, under the overall supervision of Assistant District Attorney Alfred DeIngeniis, VCE Bureau Chief.

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

 

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Tuesday, January 24, 2023

 

Staten Island Man Sentenced to 2 to 6 Years in Prison for Driving Drunk and Causing Crash on Gowanus Expressway That Killed Passenger

Defendant Pleaded Guilty to Manslaughter in December

Brooklyn District Attorney Eric Gonzalez today announced that a Staten Island man has been sentenced to 2 to 6 years in prison following his guilty plea to second-degree manslaughter for causing a collision with a tractor-trailer while driving drunk on the Gowanus Expressway. The defendant’s front seat passenger was killed in the crash.

District Attorney Gonzalez said, “This defendant’s reckless decision to get behind the wheel after drinking alcohol cost an innocent woman her life and endangered many others. He has now been held accountable for his criminal conduct. I remain committed to keeping Brooklyn’s streets safe for all people.”

The District Attorney identified the defendant as Mark Dookhan, 32, of Staten Island, New York. He was sentenced today by Brooklyn Supreme Court Justice Jane Tully to 2 to 6 years in prison. The defendant pleaded guilty to second-degree manslaughter on December 13, 2022.

The District Attorney said that, according to the investigation, on March 10, 2021, at approximately 11:20 p.m., the defendant was driving a 2013 BMW 535i west bound on the Gowanus Expressway when he crashed into the rear of a tractor trailer stopped in traffic near the Verrazano Bridge. The defendant’s front seat passenger, Karen Diaz, 30, was killed in the crash.

Furthermore, according to the investigation, the defendant was driving at approximately 75 miles per hour and applied the brakes only a half-second before the crash. The defendant was arrested at approximately 1:15 a.m. on March 11, 2021 and had a blood alcohol level of .12—above the legal limit of .08— when he was treated for minor injuries at NYU Langone Hospital-Brooklyn.

The case was prosecuted by Senior Assistant District Attorney Edward Kerins, of the District Attorney’s Violent Criminal Enterprises Bureau (formerly of the Blue Zone Trial Bureau), under the supervision of Assistant District Attorney Kin Ng, Blue Zone Bureau Chief.

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Wednesday, January 18, 2023

Former Brooklyn Attorney Indicted for Real Estate Fraud in Connection With Four Properties Valued at Nearly $2.3 Million

Scheme Targeted Homes in Foreclosure in East Flatbush, Canarsie, East New York And Ocean Hill; Defendant Allegedly Collected $63,995 in Rent

Brooklyn District Attorney Eric Gonzalez today announced that a disbarred Brooklyn attorney has been arraigned on an indictment in which he is charged with stealing the deeds to four properties, three of which were in foreclosure, for a total of approximately $2.3 million by defrauding homeowners, most of whom believed he was negotiating a short sale on their behalf.

District Attorney Gonzalez said, “This defendant allegedly defrauded distressed homeowners when he stole the titles to their homes while pretending to help them, and we are committed to holding him accountable. Because people want to live in Brooklyn, scammers continue to target homeowners, and I encourage every property owner to take steps to protect themselves.”

The District Attorney identified the defendants as Sanford Solny, 65, of Midwood, Brooklyn, Albany Ave Realty Inc., East 100 St Realty Inc., Pleasant Pl. Realty Inc., and Bear Realty & Management Corp. They were arraigned today before Brooklyn Supreme Court Justice Danny Chun on an 8-count indictment in which they are variously charged with first-degree and second-degree criminal possession of stolen property, first-degree scheme to defraud, and second-degree grand larceny. Solny was released without bail and ordered to return to court on March 22, 2023.

The District Attorney said that, according to the investigation, between October 2012 and December 2022, the defendant, an attorney whose license to practice law was suspended in April 2012 and who was disbarred on January 5, 2023, allegedly engaged in a real estate fraud scheme to steal deeds, possess those properties, and economically benefit from four residential properties in Brooklyn, targeting victims who owned properties that were in foreclosure.

It is alleged that various individuals, including unlicensed brokers, contacted the victims and referred them to the defendant to negotiate a short sale, i.e., selling the property to someone else under terms communicated to and approved by a lender. In exchange, the lender would then drop the foreclosure action and forgive the loan amount owed.

The defendant allegedly met most of the victims at his office in Borough Park where he either falsely told them that they were required to sign their deeds over to him for the defendant to begin a short sale negotiation on their behalf or had the victims sign documents that the defendant claimed were part of the short sale process but, unbeknownst to them, actually relinquished ownership of their property to the defendant.

The indictment charges the defendant with crimes involving the following one- and multi- family homes with a total current value of approximately $2.295 million:

• 1247 Albany Avenue in East Flatbush
• 1429 East 100^th Street in Canarsie
• 1100 Sutter Avenue in East New York
• 10 Pleasant Place in Ocean Hill

In most cases, the defendant allegedly paid the owner’s fee, ranging from $350 to $10,000, for transferring the property to him or to various corporations he controlled. In some cases, the defendant allegedly told the victims that the lenders preferred or required that the homeowners vacate the property for the short sale to occur.

Over the years that the defendant claimed to be in negotiations, when victims asked him about the negotiations or possible sales, he allegedly offered an array of excuses and explanations.

The defendant allegedly collected at least $63,995 in rent from tenants he brought in or existing tenants at three of the properties the victims transferred to him. As record owner, if any of the properties were to be sold, the defendant would also benefit from the increase in value accrued over the last several years.

As a result of the defendant’s alleged fraudulent scheme, the victims lost their properties and potential rental income. In addition, their credit scores and ability to obtain new loans rapidly deteriorated as most of the foreclosures remain active.

The District Attorney offered the following tips to homeowners to protect themselves:

• Make sure the NYC Dept. of Finance has the correct address to receive property notices.
• Designate a trusted family member or friend to receive notices if you are unable.
• Register with the NYC Department of Finance to receive automatic notifications regarding any changes to your deed or property records.
• Never sign any contract you do not understand.
• For more information visit http://brooklynda.org/deedfraud/

The case was investigated by Detective Candido Salgado of the KCDA New York City Police Department Squad. Supervising Financial Investigator Deborah Wey, of the District Attorney’s Investigations Division, assisted in the investigation.

The District Attorney thanked the New York City Department of Finance and the New York State Department of Financial Services for their assistance in the investigation.

The case is being prosecuted by Senior Assistant District Attorney Joseph DiBenedetto, of the District Attorney’s Frauds Bureau and Assistant District Attorney Gregory C. Pavlides, Chief of the Frauds Bureau, under the supervision of Assistant District Attorney Michel Spanakos, Deputy Chief of the Investigations Division, and the overall supervision of Assistant District Attorney Patricia McNeill, Chief of the Investigations Division.

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