About omar morhbi

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Wednesday, September 11, 2024

Texas Man Indicted for Sex Trafficking of a Child, Promoting Prostitution

Defendant Allegedly Drove Two Teens to New York From Dallas, Forced Them to Engage in Prostitution in East New York; Had his Nickname Tattooed on Their Faces

Brooklyn District Attorney Eric Gonzalez today announced that a Texas man has been arraigned on an indictment in which he is charged with sex trafficking of a child, sex trafficking, assault, promoting prostitution and related charges for allegedly forcing a 17-year-old girl and an 18-year-old girl to engage in prostitution and giving him the proceeds.

District Attorney Gonzalez said, “This defendant allegedly subjected two young women to horrific abuse, treating them as his personal property by branding them with his nickname and forcing them into a life of exploitation and violence. The brutality these victims endured is appalling, and we will work diligently to ensure that he is held accountable for the inhumanity he inflicted.”

The District Attorney identified the defendant as Donald Roberson, 29, of Dallas, Texas. He was arraigned today before Brooklyn Supreme Court Justice Danny Chun on a 17-count indictment in which he is charged with sex trafficking of a child, sex trafficking, second-, third-and fourth-degree promoting prostitution, second- and third-degree assault, fourth-degree criminal possession of a weapon, third-degree criminal sexual act, sexual misconduct, and third-degree sexual abuse. He was ordered held without bail and to return to court on October 23, 2024.

The District Attorney said that, according to the investigation, the 17-year-old victim met the defendant, who she knew from Instagram, in Dallas, Texas on August 10, 2024. She and the 18-year-old victim agreed to leave with the defendant, who then drove to New York, stopping several times a long the way. On August 16, 2024, they arrived in New York and went to the Hotel Sunborn in East New York where the defendant rented a room. The two victims were then allegedly forced to walk the track in East New York and engage in prostitution, with all of the proceeds going to the defendant.

On August 20, 2024, the defendant allegedly took the 17-year-old victim to a tattoo parlor in East New York and had his nickname, “Blue Cheese,” tattooed on her face. The 18-year-old also had “Blue Cheese” tattooed on her face. It is alleged that later that day, in McCarren Park, the defendant argued with the 17-year-old victim, punched her in the face, pulled her hair and kicked her in the face causing her to suffer a seizure. He also allegedly stabbed her about the side of her body with a pair of scissors.

Furthermore, it is alleged, on August 22, 2024 the victim was treated for a viral throat infection at Kings County Hospital caused by allegedly being forced to perform sex acts. After leaving the hospital, the defendant allegedly looked for the 18-year-old in East New York and when he found her he allegedly choked her and punched her about the face until she was crying and unable to breathe.

On August 23, it is alleged, the 17-year-old and the defendant allegedly had an argument at the hotel and she went to his vehicle and locked herself inside of it. The defendant allegedly shattered a car window, raining glass down on to the victim who was left with cuts. He then allegedly took a torch lighter to her leg and burned her.

The victim then managed to text someone back in Texas for help, giving him the name and address of the hotel and the room number. Officers from the 75^th Precinct responded, found her in the parking lot and arrested the defendant.

The case was investigated by New York City Police Department Detective Denis Regimbal and Detective Mark Shackel of the joint NYPD/FBI Child Exploitation and Human Trafficking Task Force, under the supervision of Sergeant Kevin Kavanaugh, Lieutenant Amy Capogna, Lieutenant Joseph Picarello, and Captain Maripily Clase, and the overall supervision of Chief Carlos Ortiz.

The case is being prosecuted by Senior Assistant District Attorney Alexandra Iorio, of the District Attorney’s Human Trafficking Unit, under the supervision of Assistant District Attorney Mary Monahan, Deputy Unit Chief and Assistant District Attorney David Weiss, Unit Chief, and the overall supervision of Assistant District Attorney Miss Gregory, Chief of the Special Victims Bureau.

The District Attorney thanked 75^th Precinct Field Intelligence Officer Detective Roodly Demorcy and officers from the NYPD’s 75^th Precinct for their assistance in the investigation.

The case is being prosecuted by Senior Assistant District Attorney Alexandra Iorio, of the District Attorney’s Human Trafficking Unit, under the supervision of Assistant District Attorney Mary Monahan, Deputy Unit Chief and Assistant District Attorney David Weiss, Unit Chief, and the overall supervision of Assistant District Attorney Miss Gregory, Chief of the Special Victims Bureau.

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

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Thursday, September 5, 2024

Father and Son Brooklyn Contractors Indicted for Grand Larceny for Allegedly Defrauding Over $1 Million from Paycheck Protection Program

Defendants Allegedly Lied on Loan Applications; Used Funds toward Purchasing Homes in

New Jersey and a Luxury BMW Sports Sedan

Brooklyn District Attorney Eric Gonzalez, together with U.S. Small Business Administration General Counsel Therese Meers and Special Agent-in-Charge Jonathan Mellone, Northeast Region, U.S. Department of Labor, Office of Inspector General, today announced that two Brooklyn contractors have been indicted for grand larceny for allegedly defrauding more than $1 million from the Paycheck Protection Program during the Covid-19 pandemic. As part of the alleged scheme, the defendants submitted fraudulent tax returns that grossly inflated the company’s revenues to obtain the funds and then allegedly used those funds – which were restricted to paying employees and other legitimate business expenses – toward purchasing two homes in New Jersey, as well as a luxury BMW sports sedan.

District Attorney Gonzalez said, “These defendants allegedly engaged in a shameless scheme to steal more than $1 million from the Paycheck Protection Program and line their own pockets with critical funds intended to help struggling small business owners during the Covid-19 pandemic. We will now seek to hold them accountable. I want to thank the Small Business Association for its assistance in pursuing justice in this case.”

General Counsel Meers said, “The action in this matter is the product of enhanced efforts by federal agencies such as the Small Business Administration working with the Kings County District Attorney’s Office, SBA’s Office of Inspector General, other law enforcement agencies, and Mary Cvengros, Senior Litigation Counsel from the SBA’s Office of General Counsel.”

Special Agent-in-Charge Mellone said, “An important part of the mission of the U.S. Department of Labor, Office of Inspector General is to investigate allegations of fraud involving pandemic-related unemployment insurance programs. We will continue to work with our law enforcement partners to investigate these types of allegations.”

The District Attorney identified the defendants as Nurus Safa, 65, and Maidal Safa, 34, of Voorhies, New Jersey.  They were arraigned today before Brooklyn Supreme Court Justice Dena Douglas on a 19-count indictment in which they are charged with first- and second-degree grand larceny, second-degree criminal possession of a forged instrument, and first-degree falsifying business records. They were released without bail and ordered to return to court on October 30, 2024.

The District Attorney said that, according to the investigation, Nurus Safa is the owner of Rahil Contracting Inc., a small construction company that operates out of Kensington, Brooklyn.  Maidul Safa, his son, is listed as a Project Executive for the company.

After the onset of the COVID-19 epidemic, the US Small Business Administration (SBA) implemented the Payment Protection Program (PPP).  SBA insured PPP loans that were issued by banks.  The loans were designed for small businesses to keep workers on payroll.  In order to obtain a PPP loan, the employer was required to certify that the funds would be used for payroll or other specified expenses needed to keep their work force employed during the COVID-19 crisis.

Nurus Safa applied for a PPP loan through an SBA-backed lender on behalf of Rahil, allegedly falsely certifying in his application that the funds “will be used only for business related purposes,” more specifically attesting that “the funds will be used to retain workers and maintain payroll or make mortgage interest payments, lease payments and utility payments.”  He allegedly also submitted fraudulent quarterly tax returns for Rahil, which grossly inflated its revenues and contained the forged signature of a licensed tax preparer.

Furthermore, according to the investigation, the defendants obtained two PPP loans that totaled approximately $1,084,477.50. Shortly after the funds became available, they quickly used the money for personal purchases, including luxury items. The defendants are alleged to have spent a total of $393,670 toward the purchase of two five-bedroom homes, one in Voorhies, New Jersey and the other in Pine Hill, New Jersey and spent another $71,000 as a down payment on a 2021 BMW M5 sports sedan.

Furthermore, according to the investigation, much of the balance of the PPP funds was transferred to personal accounts held by either Nurus Safa or Maidul Safa.  An analysis of financial records shows no indication that any of the PPP funds were used for regular payments to employees.

The District Attorney thanked Senior Financial Investigator Faye Johnson and Intelligence Analyst Veranika Basak, both of the Investigations Division, and KCDA Detective Investigators for their assistance

The case is being prosecuted by Senior Assistant District Attorney Sergey Marts, of the District Attorney’s Frauds Bureau, and Assistant District Attorney Andrew Kohler, Special Counsel to the Investigations Division, under the supervision of Assistant District Attorney Gregory Pavlides, Chief of the Frauds Bureau, and the overall supervision of Assistant District Attorney Michel Spanakos, Deputy Chief of Investigations, and Assistant District Attorney Patricia McNeill, Chief of Investigations.

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

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Friday, August 30, 2024

Brooklyn was Safest Ever from Gun Violence During Summer Months with Fewest Shootings and Shooting Homicides in Recorded History

There were 11% Fewer Shootings and 24% Fewer Shooting Homicides in June-August Compared to the Same Period Last Year; About 75% Drop from Summer of 2020 Peak

Brooklyn District Attorney Eric Gonzalez today announced that gun violence in Brooklyn over the summer months (June through August) reached the lowest levels ever recorded. There have been 13 shooting homicides over that span, 24% fewer than during the same period last year, and 84 shooting incidents, 11% fewer than in the summer of 2023. The number of shooting victims ticked up by three, making it the second fewest in that category, after last year’s summer.

District Attorney Gonzalez said, “The summer months are traditionally the time when gun violence spikes, which is the reason the NYPD and my office focus extra resources and efforts during that period. It is gratifying that, after a particularly safe summer in 2023, we reached even more historic lows this year. While more needs to be done, public safety in Brooklyn continues to improve and our multi-pronged approach in fighting gun crimes – which includes gang takedowns, investments in our Digital Evidence Lab, precision prosecutions, and community-based initiatives – is working.”

The District Attorney said that between June and August, there were 84 shooting incidents in Brooklyn, down 10 (11%) from the same period last year. That is the lowest figure since that statistic has been tracked and represents a precipitous drop of 74% compared to the summer of 2020, when the pandemic and civil unrest combined to create a significant spike in violence. Similarly, shooting homicides during the same span reached the lowest level ever recorded with 13, four fewer (24%) than in 2023, representing a whopping 79% decline compared to 2020. (There were 16 non shooting homicides this summer, an unusually high number on account of a tragic quadruple murder and a separate double stabbing; the total number of homicides inched up by three compared to last summer).

The number of shooting victims, at 104, slightly rose by 3 (2.9%) compared to the same time last year but was kept at historically low levels with the summer of 2023 representing the lowest number on record. The number of victims over the summer was only a quarter of the figure during the 2020 summer. Encouragingly, all three stats were better this summer than during the same period in 2018 and 2019, which ended up as the years with the fewest shootings and homicides to date.

Since the start of 2024, the seven major index crime are down 5% in Brooklyn. The DA’s Office has also been successful in the courtroom so far this year, obtaining 72 Supreme Court convictions against 10 acquittals (an 86% trial conviction rate). The Homicide Bureau obtained 18 convictions and the Violent Criminal Enterprises Bureau convicted 10 defendants. VCE, together with the NYPD, also completed two successful gang takedowns, one at the end of May and one at the end of August, charging a total of 29 individuals. In July, the office hosted a successful gun buyback event, in which 100 firearms were taken off the streets.

These ongoing efforts and many others have all contributed to the ongoing reduction in gun violence and improvements in public safety across Brooklyn.

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Thursday, August 29, 2024

Eleven Alleged Gang Members from Two Rival Gangs Named in Conspiracy Indictment That Includes Murder, Multiple Shootings and Gun Possession

Defendants Variously Charged with Acts of Violence in and Around Crown Heights

Brooklyn District Attorney Eric Gonzalez and New York City Police Commissioner Edward A. Caban announced today that 11 alleged members of two opposing street gangs are variously charged in two indictments with conspiracy to commit murder, possess weapons and related acts of violence. The defendants are variously charged in connection with seven shooting incidents, many of which were retaliatory in nature, which left three people shot, one fatally.

District Attorney Gonzalez said, “Today’s indictments send a clear message: We will not allow our communities to be terrorized by senseless gang violence. We allege that those charged individuals have shown a blatant disregard for human life, leaving a trail of fear and devastation in their wake. My office, in partnership with the NYPD, will continue to pursue justice relentlessly, ensuring that those who endanger the lives of innocent residents are held accountable. I commend the NYPD and our prosecutors for their outstanding work.”

Commissioner Caban said, “Today’s indictments reflect the tireless efforts of the NYPD’s many dedicated investigators, who focus sharply on the real drivers of crime and disorder in New York City. We are relentless in this work because New Yorkers deserve to live and work in a city free from the threat of gun violence. I commend our detectives and thank everyone at the Brooklyn district attorney’s office for their commitment to our shared public safety mission.”

The defendants will be arraigned this afternoon before Brooklyn Supreme Court Justice Danny Chun on two indictments in which they are variously charged with second-degree murder, second- and fourth-degree conspiracy, second-degree attempted murder, first- and second-degree criminal possession of a weapon and related counts. [See defendant addendum].

The District Attorney said the indictments are the result of a long-term investigation by the District Attorney’s Violent Criminal Enterprises Bureau and the NYPD’s Brooklyn North Violent Crime Squad into violence committed by rival street gangs operating in and around Crown Heights.

The District Attorney identified the two rival gangs as “Stain Gang,” a neighborhood-based confederacy that includes members of “9Trey,” “Gorilla Stone,” and “Mac Balla,” respectively; and “Albany Gang,” whose members include Blood sets such as “AMG,” and “59 Brims.” Seven of the defendants charged are alleged members of the Stain Gang, while four defendants are alleged members of their opposition, Albany Gang. Stain Gang territory encompasses the vicinity of Sterling Place, between Rochester Avenue and Buffalo Avenue, while Albany Gang territory operates just blocks away, concentrated in and around the New York City Housing Authority Albany I & Albany II developments.

The investigation revealed that the close geographical proximity coupled with the murder of Stain member Tyquan Howard (“Ty-Sixx”) by alleged Albany Gang members on May 12, 2020 unleased a series of shootings and retaliatory violence between the members of the two groups.

It is alleged, according to the indictments, that members of the rival gangs conspired to murder opposition gang members, often taunting opposing members on social media platforms. These taunts included insulting deceased rival gang members and calling out perceived inaction to opposition violence, often instigating a violent response. The investigation also revealed that members from both gangs utilized New York City Department of Corrections phone lines to continue their criminal conduct, discussing the conspiracy even while incarcerated by updating fellow gang members at liberty on the status of gang rivalries and discussing ongoing violent acts against rival gang members.

Among the crimes charged in the indictment is the August 10, 2023 homicide of alleged Stain member Shaheim Rogers and the non-fatal shooting of alleged Stain member Olujimi Lucas, by alleged Albany Gang member Ibrahima Barry. It is alleged that Barry stole a parked SUV and drove to the Albany Houses headquarters, where he picked up fellow Albany members. In the early evening, Barry is charged with “spinning” on Sterling Place, known Stain Territory, with fellow Albany Gang members. There, the group opened fire on Lucas, who was shot multiple times, and fatally struck Rogers, whose lungs collapsed as a result.

It is alleged that Stain and Albany members committed numerous targeted shootings in an effort to shoot and kill their perceived rivals during the course of the conspiracy in furtherance of their gang objectives, including the following:

• June 29, 2021 at 8:12 p.m. at 1448 Sterling Place: It is alleged that after a confrontation two days earlier between Albany member Elijah McDonald and Stain member Olujimi Lucas, which resulted in Lucas taking possession of McDonald’s firearm and at least one shot being fired, Lucas directed fellow Stain member Jahrell Madison to shoot at McDonald’s car multiple times as it drove through Stain Gang territory. Several rounds struck McDonald’s car.
• March 14, 2022 at 8:37 p.m. at 1566 Sterling Place: It is alleged that Albany Gang member Patrick Daniels drove to Stain Gang territory, walked into the courtyard of Stain headquarters, and shot a Stain member in the abdomen after attempting to shoot another individual who was seated in the courtyard.
• March 14, 2022 at 9:21 p.m. at 245 Troy Avenue: It is alleged that less than an hour later, and after Stain gang member Micah Gerson waited with the Stain victim to be picked up by ambulance, Gerson and another Stain member went to the Albany Houses. Once there, Gerson and another appeared to be searching for someone; they then left and proceeded towards 245 Troy Avenue (Albany territory), where they allegedly fired multiple rounds down the street in apparent retaliation before fleeing, striking a deli multiple times with numerous customers inside.

The investigation was conducted by New York City Police Department Detectives Vincent Gambino and William Pugliese, under the supervision of Sergeant Steven Zanca, Lieutenant Mark Jablonski, and Captain Daniel Casella, of the Brooklyn North Violent Crime Squad.

The case is being prosecuted by Senior Assistant District Attorney Michael O’Rourke and Senior Assistant District Attorney Michael Pesin-Virovets, of the District Attorney’s Violent Criminal Enterprises Bureau, with the assistance of Intelligence Analyst Austin Wilson and Paralegals Tania Lopez and Sultana Wahab, under the supervision of Assistant District Attorney Gillian DiPietro, Deputy Bureau Chief, Assistant District Attorney Kathryn Spota, Deputy Bureau Chief, Assistant District Attorney Matthew Stewart, Deputy Bureau Chief, Assistant District Attorney Jennifer Cilia, First Deputy Bureau Chief, and Assistant District Attorney Alfred De Ingeniis, Bureau Chief.

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

DEFENDANT ADDENDUM:

            Stain Gang Indictment

1. Olujimi Lucas, 30, also known as O Skeeno
2. Jahrell Madison, 22, also known as Jah Billy
3. Micah Gerson, 22, also known as Flex
4. Derrick Jones, 19, also known as 9 Shots
5. Rashilo Drew, 20, also known as Lo Glizzy
6. Isaiah Foster, 18, also known as KG
7. Deon Regis, 23, also known as Too Nice

Albany Gang Indictment

1. Treaston McGregory, 20, also known as Trigga Trey
2. Elijah McDonald, 29, also known as Eli
3. Patrick Daniels, 30
4. Ibrahima Barry, 20, also known as EB

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Friday, August 9, 2024

Brooklyn District Attorney Moves to Vacate Conviction of Brooklyn Man Who Served 16 Years for Homicide After Critical Video Wasn’t Turned Over

Defendant Requested to Watch Surveillance Tape Throughout Trial but Was Denied;

Technical Difficulties Prevented Showing it; Defense Lawyer Was Ineffective and Judge Unfair

Brooklyn District Attorney Eric Gonzalez today announced that following a thorough reinvestigation by his Conviction Review Unit (CRU), he will move to vacate the conviction of Arvel Marshall, 52, who was convicted of a 2008 murder in Crown Heights. He would have been eligible for parole in 2033. A surveillance video showing the gunman shortly before and right after the shooting was not turned over to the defense and seemingly never fully viewed by law enforcement. The video, requested by the defendant throughout the trial to no avail, would have likely led to a different trial outcome. In addition, the CRU found that the defense attorney “abdicated his role as an advocate” and the judge “abandoned his role of a neutral arbiter.” The full CRU report is available here.

District Attorney Gonzalez said, “An investigation by my Conviction Review Unit found that everyone involved in this case – defense, prosecution, police, and the Court – failed, depriving Mr. Marshall of a fair trial. A critical piece of evidence was not turned over, leading to this unjust conviction. The CRU’s work often reveals systemic failures, and this is a prime example of that. We will continue to expose, correct, and learn from every wrongful conviction that took place in Brooklyn.”

The defendant will appear in court today at 10:00 a.m. before Brooklyn Supreme Court Justice Matthew D’Emic at 320 Jay Street, 15^th Floor.

The District Attorney said that on the night of July 15, 2008, 22-year-old Moustapha Oumaria was fatally shot in the head while sitting outside his Crown Heights home with three friends. Marshall became a suspect based on claims that he and the deceased, who dated the same woman as the defendant, had an ongoing dispute. The three friends who were at the scene identified Marshall as the killer (although initial accounts described the gunman as a teenager and the defendant was 36 at the time).

Marshall testified and professed his innocence throughout the trial. There was a video containing surveillance footage near the scene from which police made four still photos depicting two individuals, one of whom matched the clothing description of the shooter that was provided by witnesses. But the prosecutor was unable to play the video in court, making several attempts to do so. He said that his understanding was that the stills represented the pertinent parts of the footage, and that the video has “no evidentiary value.” It appears that no one actually watched the entire video, and the issue was not pursued later in the trial. Marshall was convicted and sentenced to 25-years-to-life in prison.

The CRU was able to view the surveillance footage, which included two different angles. The footage shows a young man wearing a white t-shirt and dark pants, matching exactly the description of the shooter, walking along with another individual wearing all black. The footage shows the first man reaching under his shirt on his right side, removing an object from his waistband, handling the object by his right hip, then lowering his shirt back over his waist. When the two men go off screen, the footage shows two older men walking in the street in the same direction as the two young men. At one point the two older men stop and look toward the area of the shooting, then start walking back in the opposite direction while glancing over their shoulders. Moments later, the younger men in white and black are seen sprinting down the street away from the area of the shooting, never looking behind them. The one with the white shirt is seen with his right arm extended straight down by his side and slightly away from his body while appearing to be holding something.

A police note attached to the disc containing the surveillance footage lists several timestamps, none of which include the pertinent portions. The footage—which the defendant, in front of the jury, repeatedly asked to be shown to the jury—is grainy but seems to point to a different suspect. The CRU concluded that the videos were favorable to the defense and should have been turned over.

The reinvestigation also followed up on a pre-trial defense investigation (whose findings were not brought up at trial), in which a tipster claimed that the shooting was arranged by a drug dealer who lived next door to the victim and ordered a hit against a man he believed to be encroaching on his drug territory. The unknown tipster claimed that the deceased was killed by a 16-year-old in a case of mistaken identity. The dealer confirmed the drug trade dispute to the CRU but denied being involved in the murder.

Finally, the CRU identified serious errors that were committed by all parties. Defense counsel did not advocate effectively; his client raised valid questions that the attorney made clear were his client’s concerns and not his, effectively disparaging the defendant; he blindly accepted the representation that the video was unreadable, despite the fact that stills were made from it; and he didn’t prepare his client before he testified and did not question him on the stand. The prosecutor should have watched the video footage and not state without firsthand knowledge that the stills represented everything of significance in the footage. The judge responded to the defendant’s many outbursts with disdain; he instructed him to “shut up” and “be quiet” and told the defendant, in front of the jury, that the footage was “not relevant” despite never having watched it; when the defendant was testifying, the judge denigrated and belittled him in front of the jury; and he did not insist on playing the video. The police investigators didn’t seem to have watched the entire footage and likely falsely reported to the prosecutor that the stills showed all relevant parts of the footage.

Because of these mistakes and the failure to turn over evidence, Marshall was deprived of a fair trial. The District Attorney recommends that his conviction be vacated and the indictment dismissed. There are no viable avenues to further investigate the defense investigators’ claims.

To date, the work of the Conviction Review Unit has resulted in 39 convictions being vacated since 2014. Currently, CRU has approximately 60 open investigations.

This case was investigated by members of the Brooklyn District Attorney’s Conviction Review Unit, under the supervision of Charles Linehan, Unit Chief.

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Thursday, August 8, 2024

Bushwick Man Indicted for Sex Trafficking Teenage Girls

Allegedly Recruited Two 15-year-olds and a 17-year-old to Engage in Prostitution;

Arrested Following Undercover Sting; His Cousin Allegedly Acted as Driver

Brooklyn District Attorney Eric Gonzalez today announced that a Bushwick man has been arraigned on two indictments charging him with promoting prostitution and sex trafficking of a child for allegedly recruiting multiple victims, including three teenage girls, ages 15 to 17, to engage in prostitution. The defendant’s cousin allegedly acted as his driver, picking up one of 15-year-old victims and dropping her off at the defendant’s residence. The defendant was arrested at his apartment in Bushwick during an undercover sting.

District Attorney Gonzalez said, “These defendants allegedly exploited three teenage girls, recruiting them to repeatedly engage in prostitution. I am deeply committed to bringing to justice individuals who prey on vulnerable young people in Brooklyn, and we will now seek to hold these two defendants accountable.”

The District Attorney identified the defendants as Terrence Rogers, a.k.a., Aura, 33, and Vashorne McClain, 28, of Bushwick, Brooklyn. Rogers was arraigned today before Brooklyn Supreme Court Justice Danny Chun on two separate incidents in which he is charged with multiple counts of sex trafficking of a child; second-, third-, and fourth-degree promoting prostitution; third-degree rape; third-degree sexual abuse; sexual misconduct; endangering the welfare of a child; and unlawful dissemination or publication of an intimate image. He was ordered held without bail and to return to court on August 20, 2024. McClain was arraigned on an indictment in which he is charged with sex trafficking of a child, third- and fourth-degree promoting prostitution, and endangering the welfare of a child. He was released without bail and ordered to return to court on September 18, 2024.

The District Attorney said that, according to the investigation, between March 9, 2024, and April 12, 2024, Rogers allegedly recruited a 15-year-old girl to engage in prostitution on multiple occasions from his apartment at Halsey Street in Bushwick. The victim was allegedly introduced to the defendant by a classmate, also 15, who was engaging in prostitution for the defendant at the time. It is alleged that Rogers posted the 15-year-old’s photo on a website advertising sexual services. He also allegedly gave her a cellphone and instructed her on how to communicate with customers and how much to charge them.

Furthermore, according to the investigation, Rogers allegedly sexually assaulted the 15-year-old victim on April 12, 2024. More than a month later, the defendant allegedly messaged her on Snapchat and threatened to a post a nude photo of her online unless she continued to engage in prostitution. After the victim returned to the defendant’s apartment, he allegedly posted the nude photo on a website advertising sexual services before forcibly touching her.

On June 13, 2024, the victim reported the assault to a school social worker who contacted police. The District Attorney’s Human Trafficking Unit and the New York City Police Department then launched an undercover investigation.

On July 3, 2024, an undercover officer responded to a live online advertisement posting for prostitution in Brooklyn with images of the underage victims. The undercover officer called the phone number provided in the advertisement and was directed to the Halsey Street location. Inside the defendant’s apartment, the undercover officer made an agreement to have sex with a 22-year-old woman for $100. A field team then raided the apartment. As police were entering, Rogers was allegedly caught leaving the bathroom with a 17-year-old victim who was partially undressed. He was arrested at the location.

Investigators subsequently determined that there were approximately six other women engaging in prostitution at the address.

Investigators also determined that between March 9, 2024, and April 12, 2024, the co-defendant acted as a driver for Rogers, allegedly picking up the 15-year-old victim at her home and dropping her and other women off at the defendant’s apartment to engage in prostitution.

The case was investigated by New York City Police Detective Latasha Carter, Detective Joseph Azevedo and Detective Kevin Deleon from the NYPD’s Human Trafficking Squad, under the supervision of Sergeant Kevin Kavanagh, Lieutenant Amy Capogna, and Captain Maripily Clase, and the overall supervision of Chief Carlos Ortiz.

The District Attorney thanked Digital Forensic Analyst Richard Rojas from the District Attorney’s Digital Evidence Lab for his assistance in the case.

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

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

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Wednesday, August 7, 2024

East Williamsburg Man Sentenced to 25 Years to Life in Prison for Axe Attack that Critically Wounded Girlfriend and Killed Her Pregnant Friend

Defendant Struck Victims, both Mothers, Multiple Times with an Axe

Inside Girlfriend’s Apartment Where her 4-Year-Old Daughter Was Present

Brooklyn District Attorney Eric Gonzalez today announced that an East Williamsburg man has been sentenced to 25 years to life in prison for a brutal axe attack in which he hacked his girlfriend multiple times, leaving her in critical condition, and fatally struck her pregnant friend.

District Attorney Gonzalez said, “This was a shocking and senseless act of violence that took the life of a pregnant woman and left a second woman with physical and emotional traumas she suffers to this day. Nothing will bring Savannah Rivera back, but I hope today’s sentence brings a measure of solace to her family and friends. The defendant has now been brought to justice.”

The District Attorney identified the defendant as Jerry Brown, 39, of East Williamsburg, Brooklyn. He was sentenced today by Brooklyn Supreme Court Justice Danny Chun to 25 years to life in prison. The defendant was convicted of second-degree murder, second-degree attempted murder, and first-degree assault on June 18, 2024, following a bench trial.

The District Attorney said that, according to the evidence, on April 20, 2019, at approximately 1:35 a.m., the defendant attacked his 21-year-old girlfriend and her friend Savannah Rivera, 20, with an axe inside his girlfriend’s apartment in the Bushwick Houses on Flushing Avenue near Humboldt Street in East Williamsburg. His girlfriend’s 4-year-old daughter was present in the apartment during the attack.

Furthermore, according to the evidence, the defendant fatally struck Rivera, hitting her repeatedly, and hacked his girlfriend multiple times, causing a severe laceration to the back of her head and gashes to her torso, arms, and throat. After the defendant left the apartment, the surviving victim made her way outside, approached an Uber car that was at a traffic light and the driver called 911. She was taken to Elmhurst Hospital in critical condition.

The victim subsequently underwent multiple surgeries while being treated for a fractured skull, broken ribs, collapsed lungs, and multiple stab wounds. To date, she continues to suffer from seizures and remains at heightened risk of developing life-threatening infections.

The defendant surrendered to police at the 90^th Precinct later that day at approximately 5:30 p.m. During an interview with investigators, the defendant confessed to attacking Rivera and said he threw the axe and his girlfriend’s cellphone into the building’s incinerator.

The District Attorney thanked Paralegal Meghan Brancato of the Homicide Bureau for her assistance on the case.

The case was prosecuted by Assistant District Attorney Ernest Chin, Deputy Chief of the District Attorney’s Homicide Bureau, and Senior Assistant District Attorney Cassandra Pond, also of the Homicide Bureau, under the supervision of Assistant District Attorney Leila Rosini, Bureau Chief.

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Thursday, July 25, 2024

Brooklyn Math Teacher Charged with Allegedly Enticing

Teenagers to Send Him Explicit Sexual Images

Posed as a Young Teen and Allegedly Engaged in Graphic Conversations

On Snapchat; Charged in Connection with Six Child Victims Attending Elite Schools

Brooklyn District Attorney Eric Gonzalez today announced that a 37-year-old former math teacher has been charged with use of a child in sexual performance and promoting a sexual performance by a child as sexually motivated felonies, as well as other related counts, for allegedly enticing or trying to entice teenage students from four Brooklyn schools to send him images of nudity and sexual performances. The defendant, who used to teach at Saint Ann’s School in Brooklyn Heights, allegedly pretended to be a young teen and fellow student when engaging in conversations of sexual nature over the messaging application Snapchat.

District Attorney Gonzalez said, “A complicated investigation by detectives from my office revealed extremely disturbing conduct by this defendant, who allegedly posed as a peer to coax teenagers to send him sexually explicit images of themselves, which he then allegedly distributed. The fact that he was a teacher and a trusted figure among students make these allegations even more troubling. We will now seek to hold him accountable and will continue to work diligently to protect children from sexual exploitation.”

The District Attorney identified the defendant as Winston Nguyen, 37, of Harlem, New York. He was arraigned today in Brooklyn Criminal Court on a criminal complaint charging him with use of a child in a sexual performance, promoting a sexual performance by a child, first-degree disseminating indecent material to minors, third-degree conspiracy, third-degree criminal solicitation and endangering the welfare of a child. Bail was set at $30,000 cash or $75,000 bond and the defendant was ordered to return to court on October 17, 2024.

The District Attorney said that, according to the investigation, the defendant allegedly presented himself as a young teen when having conversations with children on Snapchat. He is charged with crimes against five girls and one boy who went to the independent Brooklyn schools Saint Ann’s School, Poly Prep Country Day School, Berkeley Carroll School, and Packer Collegiate Institute. It is believed that the defendant had similar online interactions with numerous other children.

The 11 charged incidents allegedly took place between October 2022 and May 2024. The first four involved a child who, starting when they were 14, received multiple video messages from an account called hunterkristoff depicting a nude boy masturbating, and was subsequently asked to send images of them nude or performing sexual acts. Investigators located the boy seen on the videos, who lives in another state and was 16 at the time.

The same account, hunterkristoff, was allegedly used to conduct prolonged communications that described and depicted various sexual acts and requested images of nudity and sexual performances from four additional victims, whose ages ranged between 13 and 15.

The sixth victim, who was 15, received messages from an account called haircutbongos that engaged them in similar conversations and made similar requests. In May 2024, the child sent a video depicting them perform a sexual act and was allegedly paid by the defendant. It is alleged that the defendant shared some of the explicit photos he received from the victims when chatting with other children.

The two Snapchat accounts mentioned above were connected to IP addresses associated with the defendant’s Harlem residence, according to the investigation. Other evidence includes digital communications and images, and accounts from victims.

Anyone with information about this case or this defendant is asked to email ReportSNAPCHATImages@brooklynda.org.

The case was investigated by KCDA Detective Investigators, with the assistance of Senior Digital Forensic Analyst Sourov Talukder and Digital Forensic Analyst Richard Rojas, of the District Attorney’s Digital Evidence Lab.

The case is being prosecuted by Senior Assistant District Attorney Daniel Brian Newcombe, of the District Attorney’s Special Victims Bureau, under the supervision of Assistant District Attorney Kevin O’Donnell, Deputy Bureau Chief, and Assistant District Attorney Olatokunbo Olaniyan, First Deputy Bureau Chief, and the overall supervision of Assistant District Attorney Miss Gregory, Bureau Chief.

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A criminal complaint is merely an accusation and not proof of a defendant’s guilt

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Tuesday, July 16, 2024

Brooklyn Men Who Stole Approximately $227,000 from

Elderly Clinton Hill Woman Sentenced to Prison

Former Neighbor of 94-Year-Old Woman Facilitated Theft Using a Power of Attorney

Brooklyn District Attorney Eric Gonzalez and Special Agent in Charge Patrick J. Freaney, U.S. Secret Service New York Field Office, today announced that two men convicted of stealing hundreds of thousands of dollars from an elderly woman over six months have been sentenced to up to three years in prison.

District Attorney Gonzalez said, “These defendants targeted an individual who is among the most vulnerable of our populations – a 94-year-old woman – while pretending to be neighborly and helpful. Instead, they stole hundreds of thousands of dollars. Fortunately, their scheme was unraveled, and they have now been held accountable. I thank the Secret Service and my prosecutors for their work on this case.”

Special Agent in Charge Freaney said, “These men took advantage of an elderly woman, stealing hundreds of thousands of dollars out from under her. Crimes like these that affect the most vulnerable among us are abhorrent, and the Secret Service is grateful to our partners from the Brooklyn District Attorney’s Office for holding these men accountable and ensuring that justice was done.”

The District Attorney identified the defendants as Humberto Nunez, 68, of Clinton Hill, Brooklyn and Mahilima Baa, 52, of Stuyvesant Heights, Brooklyn. They were sentenced today by Brooklyn Supreme Court Justice Adam D. Perlmutter. Both defendants were sentenced to an indeterminate term of one to three years in prison. The defendants were convicted of second-degree grand larceny and second-degree criminal possession of stolen property on March 20, 2024, following a jury trial. Baa was additionally convicted of two counts of first-degree identity theft.

The District Attorney said that, according to the trial testimony, between July 19, 2019, and January 7, 2020, the defendants, who are acquaintances, stole approximately $52,000 from a former business account associated with 684 Quality Cleaners, which was owned by Nunez’s former neighbor, Rose Kane, who is now deceased. Nunez, who lived two doors down from the victim and occasionally ran errands for her, was purportedly given power of attorney by her prior to her becoming incapacitated, moving into a nursing home, and having a guardian appointed.

Furthermore, on November 5, 2019, the defendants stole approximately $175,000 from a reverse mortgage line of credit the victim had since 2009.

Furthermore, according to the evidence, defendant Baa stole another $20,000 by impersonating the victim and opening two credit cards using her name, her address, date of birth and her Social Security number. He then added himself to the accounts as an authorized user. He used the funds to pay for various fees and personal expenses, a rental car, furniture for his children, office supplies, alcohol, restaurants and at a night club.

Nunez also used the funds for his personal expenses, according to the evidence, despite telling the reverse mortgage company the money was to be used to make badly needed and extensive repairs to the victim’s house. However, no repairs were made to the property and the defendants withdrew most of the $175,000 received from the reverse mortgage line of credit in cash, with the rest used to make credit card payments and personal purchases.

The case was investigated by the U.S. Secret Service New York Field Office and Detective Investigators assigned to the District Attorney’s Investigations Bureau.

The District Attorney thanked Intelligence Analyst Yacelys Corona and Paralegal Sheila Jones, of the Investigations Division, for their assistance on the case.

The case was prosecuted by Senior Assistant District Attorney Karen P. Turner, of the District Attorney’s and Senior Assistant District Attorney Daniel R. Tibbets, both of the District Attorney’s Frauds Bureau, under the supervision of Assistant District Attorney Gregory Pavlides, Frauds Bureau Chief, and the overall supervision of Assistant District Attorney Michel Spanakos, Deputy Chief of the Investigations Division and Assistant District Attorney Patricia McNeill, Chief of the Investigations Division.

 

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Friday, June 14, 2024

Defendant Convicted of Murdering Young Father in Fort Greene

And Shooting Another Individual Sentenced To 28 Years to Life in Prison

Defendant was Convicted of Shooting Two Victims Following Jury Trial

Brooklyn District Attorney Eric Gonzalez today announced that a Brooklyn man has been sentenced to 28 years to life in prison following his conviction on one count of murder and one count of assault for shooting two young men at the Ingersoll Houses in Fort Greene following a petty dispute.

District Attorney Gonzalez said, “This was a violent and inexplicable shooting of two strangers by this defendant who, after a minor verbal dispute, retrieved a gun and lay in wait for his victims. I hope that today’s sentence brings some closure to the friends and family of Jo’heem Hamilton, a young father, and to the surviving gunshot victim.”

The District Attorney identified the defendant as Earl Morgan, 54, of Fort Greene, Brooklyn. He was sentenced today to 28 years to life in prison by Brooklyn Supreme Court Justice Laura Johnson. The defendant was convicted of second-degree murder and first-degree assault on April 26, 2024, following a jury trial.

The District Attorney said that, according to the evidence, on May 30, 2020, just after 2:00 a.m., in the vicinity of 24 Monument Walk, Jo’heem Hamilton, 25, and another man, age 36, were walking to a store to get some food when they encountered the defendant hanging out in and around the lobby. As the victims walked by, according to the evidence, the defendant approached them and engaged in a brief verbal altercation.

When the victims walked away, the defendant left the area and retrieved a loaded firearm, according to the evidence, and then returned and waited in a stairwell near the entrance of the lobby for the victims. When they returned, and their backs were turned, he fired multiple shots at point-blank range. He then put the gun in his waistband and walked away, according to the evidence.

Jo’heem Hamilton, who was father to an infant daughter, was shot in the back and died of his injuries. The second victim was also shot in the back and suffered serious injuries.

The defendant was arrested on June 16, 2020.

The District Attorney thanked Homicide Paralegal Angelika Rostkowska and Chief Analyst Alexandra Aber of the Digital Evidence Lab for their assistance on the case.

The case was prosecuted by Senior Assistant District Attorney Joseph Bianco, of the District Attorney’s Homicide Bureau, and Assistant District Attorney Amelia DiGirolamo, of the District Attorney’s Red Zone Trial Bureau, under the supervision of Assistant District Attorney Leila Rosini, Homicide Bureau Chief.

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