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Friday, October 20, 2023

Brooklyn Man Arraigned for Unprovoked Killing of Innocent Activist

Fatally Stabbed Victim in the Heart; Incident Caught on Surveillance Video

Brooklyn District Attorney Eric Gonzalez today announced that an 18-year-old Brooklyn man has been arraigned on an indictment charging him with murder for the random, unprovoked attack that killed Ryan Carson earlier this month. The attack was caught on video and additional evidence allegedly connected the defendant to the crime.

District Attorney Gonzalez said, “Ryan Carson was a promising and passionate man who worked to make our society better. Many of us watched the horrific video that showed his life being snuffed away senselessly, for no reason at all. We will now seek to hold his alleged killer fully accountable for this unspeakably brutal murder.”

The District Attorney identified the defendant as Brian Dowling, 18, of Bedford Stuyvesant, Brooklyn. He was arraigned today before Brooklyn Supreme Court Justice Danny Chun on an indictment in which he is charged with second-degree murder and fourth-degree criminal possession of a weapon. He was ordered held without bail and to return to court on December 8, 2023. The defendant faces up to 25 years to life in prison if convicted of the top count.

The District Attorney said that, according to the investigation, on October 2, 2023, at approximately 3:50 a.m., outside of 57 Malcolm X Boulevard in Bedford-Stuyvesant, the defendant was allegedly walking angrily and kicking parked scooters. He observed the victim, who was walking behind him with his girlfriend.

According to the evidence, which includes a clear video of the incident, the defendant turned to the victim and started yelling at him, saying, in part, “I’m going to kill you.” He then allegedly swung a knife, striking the victim, who was trying to deescalate the confrontation. The victim attempted to flee but fell over a bus stop bench. The defendant then allegedly ran up to him and fatally stabbed him multiple times, striking his heart, as he lay on the ground.

The defendant allegedly flung the knife but returned moments later to retrieve it. A search revealed that a knife, believed to be the murder weapon, was hidden under greenery next to a nearby sidewalk.

The defendant turned himself in later that week. A subsequent search warrant of his apartment discovered multiple knives with similar handles to the handle of the knife that was recovered. Clothes matching the ones that the assailant was wearing in the video were also recovered.

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

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

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Friday, October 13, 2023

Long Island Man Indicted for Stealing $925,000 Through Deed Fraud

Involving Properties in Brooklyn and the Bronx

Defendant Allegedly Impersonated a CEO for One Theft,

Directed Someone Else to Impersonate a Deceased Homeowner for the Other

Brooklyn District Attorney Eric Gonzalez today announced that a Long Island man has been arraigned on an indictment in which he is charged with grand larceny for allegedly fraudulently transferring the titles of a property in Brooklyn and a property in the Bronx (where Lindbergh baby kidnapper Bruno Richard Hauptmann once resided) and selling them for a total of approximately $925,000. It is alleged the defendant went to elaborate lengths to perpetrate the two separate frauds, including using a variety of fraudulent documents and, in one case, had someone else impersonate a deceased Bronx homeowner at a closing. The defendant also allegedly attempted to steal nearly $300,000 in COVID-19 tax relief payments.

District Attorney Gonzalez said, “This defendant allegedly filled his pockets with the ill-gotten gains of two separate real estate transactions in which he stole – then sold – the titles to two New York City properties while also attempting to steal hundreds of thousands of dollars in COVID-19 tax relief funds. We will now seek to hold the defendant accountable and will continue to vigorously investigate and prosecute deed fraud.”

The District Attorney identified the defendant as Salome Vega, 46, of Hempstead, New York. The defendant was arraigned today before Brooklyn Supreme Court Justice Danny Chun on an indictment in which he was charged with two counts of second-degree grand larceny, second-degree criminal impersonation, and second-degree attempted grand-larceny. The defendant was ordered to return to court on December 6, 2023.

The District Attorney said that, according to the investigation, on August 6, 2019, the defendant allegedly sold the title to 1279 East 222^nd Street, a two-family house in the Bronx. At the closing, which was held at an office in Midwood, Brooklyn, the defendant had someone impersonate the property’s deceased owner when the defendant fraudulently sold the house to a buyer for $250,000. Bruno Richard Hauptmann, who was convicted of kidnapping Charles Lindbergh Jr., once resided in that East 222^nd Street house.

Furthermore, according to the investigation, six days later, on August 12, 2019, the defendant opened a business checking account for an entity with the same name as the decedent. On the same day, he allegedly deposited a $242,828 check from the sale of 1279 East 222^nd Street into the account. Over the next two months, the defendant allegedly emptied the account.

The title transfer was subsequently vacated by the Bronx County Public Administrator when it was discovered that the property owner of 1279 East 222^nd Street died on April 26, 2019, approximately four months before the closing.

Furthermore, according to the investigation, in February 2023, the defendant fraudulently sold 431-435 Autumn Avenue, which includes a two-family house attached to a vacant lot in East New York, Brooklyn, for $675,000. It is alleged the defendant did this by pretending to be the CEO of Merit Homes Inc., which owned the property. The defendant was not associated with Merit Homes Inc., nor was he authorized to sell the property. According to the investigation, the defendant, at the closing, requested that funds from the sale be made payable to him personally in amounts of $100,000, $200,000, $300,000, and $33,772 (the remainder of the funds went to closing costs). The defendant proceeded to cash the payments at various check cashing stores in Queens and Long Island.

It is also alleged that the defendant opened a fraudulent business account for a surveillance company on February 9, 2023. The following day, on February 10, 2023, the defendant, according to the investigation, caused a COVID-19 tax relief check from the IRS for $297,368.51 intended for the company to be deposited into this account at a TD Bank branch in Bay Ridge, Brooklyn. An alert bank employee spotted the fraud and froze the account before any funds could be withdrawn.

The District Attorney thanked the KCDA Detective Investigators for their assistance on this case.

The case is being prosecuted by Senior Assistant District Attorney Sergey Marts, of the District Attorney’s Frauds Bureau, and Assistant District Attorney Frank Longobardi, Chief of the District Attorney’s Construction Crimes and Labor Fraud Unit, under the supervision of Assistant District Attorney Richard Farrell, Chief of the District Attorney’s Real Estate Fraud Unit and Assistant District Attorney Gregory Pavlides, Chief of the Frauds Bureau, 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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An indictment is an accusatory instrument and not proof of a defendant’s guilt.

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Thursday, September 28, 2023

Brooklyn Man Sentenced to 30 Years to Life in Prison

For Killing Another Man in Dispute Over Money

Key Witness Traveled to U.S. from Poland with Help from Federal Authorities

Brooklyn District Attorney Eric Gonzalez today announced that a 55-year-old Brooklyn man has been sentenced to 30 years to life in prison for killing a man outside of a homeless shelter during a dispute over money in 2015. The defendant was convicted in a retrial where a new witness testified after being located in Poland. That witness traveled back to the U.S. with help from the District Attorneys Detective Investigators assigned to the Homicide Bureau and agents from Homeland Security Investigations.

District Attorney Gonzalez said, “This defendant senselessly took the life of another man and, with today’s sentence, has been held responsible for this inexcusable crime. I am grateful to the dedicated prosecutors in my office, and to Homeland Security that assisted in securing a key witness, for ensuring that justice was done in this case.”

Ivan J. Arvelo, Special Agent in Charge of Homeland Security Investigations, New York, said, “HSI New York’s global reach and commitment to rectifying injustices was instrumental in securing Brannon’s conviction for his heinous crimes. This sentencing is a testament to the cooperation between the HSI New York Document & Benefit Fraud Task Force and the Brooklyn District Attorney’s Office and showcases their shared pursuit of justice.”

The District Attorney identified the defendant as Keith Brannon, 55, formerly of East New York, Brooklyn. He was sentenced today by Brooklyn Supreme Court Justice John Hecht to 30 years to life in prison. The defendant was convicted of second-degree murder, second-degree criminal possession of a weapon, and first-degree attempted robbery on September 14, 2023 following a jury trial.

The District Attorney said that, according to the evidence, on August 8, 2015, outside of a Brownsville homeless shelter on Sackman Street between Atlantic Avenue and Pacific Street, the defendant tried to rob and then fatally shot Christopher Tennison, 32, striking him once in the chest from pointblank range. Text messages before the murder showed that the defendant was demanding money from the victim.

A resident of a Bronx shelter where the defendant resided later found a gun under the defendant’s bed and turned it over to the authorities. The defendant’s DNA was found on the gun and ballistics proved it was the same gun used in the homicide.

The defendant was convicted in 2017 after multiple eyewitness testified, but the case was reversed on appeal due to a judicial error.

Before the retrial, investigators from the District Attorney’s Office were able to locate numerous former shelter residents, including that former shelter resident who found the gun and did not testify at the first trial. He lived in Poland and lacked the necessary resources and documentation to travel to the U.S. for the trial. Detective Investigators from the DA’s Office  and members of the NYPD DA Squad traveled to Poland and, with assistance from Homeland Security Investigations, helped secure emergency documentation and facilitate the witness’s return so he could testify.

The District Attorney thanked HSI New York’s Document and Benefit Fraud Task Force, KCDA Detective Investigators, NYPD DA Squad detectives, and Special Counsel for Immigrant Affairs David Satnarine, for their assistance on the case, especially their work in securing the aforementioned witness and other witnesses. Homicide Paralegals Amanda Connolly and Angelika Rostkowska, and Senior Intelligence Analyst Christina Stewart also provided assistance with the case.

The case was prosecuted by Senior Assistant District Attorney Matthew Perry, of the District Attorney’s Homicide Bureau, and Senior Assistant District Attorney Andrew Gruna, of the District Attorney’s Orange Zone Trial Bureau, under the supervision of Assistant District Attorney Leila Rosini, Homicide Chief.

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Wednesday, September 27, 2023

Construction Company Operator Sentenced to up to Four Years in Prison

For Causing Laborer’s Death in Brooklyn Wall Collapse

Ignored Workers’ Safety Concerns, Industry Protocols, and Concerns

Expressed by Adjacent Property Owners; Foreperson Also Convicted

Brooklyn District Attorney Eric Gonzalez, together with New York City Department of Investigation Commissioner Jocelyn E. Strauber, and New York City Department of Buildings Commissioner Jimmy Oddo, today announced that the operator of a Sunset Park construction company has been sentenced to two to four years in prison in connection with an excavation wall collapse that killed a construction worker, Luis Sanchez Almonte, who was buried under thousands of pounds of debris. The site’s foreperson was convicted of criminal mischief and is awaiting sentencing.

District Attorney Gonzalez said, “The death of Luis Sanchez Almonte was not an accident but a preventable disaster that was caused by disregard of safety protocols and reported signs of danger. The prison term imposed today is an affirmation of these facts – and also a message that those who put their workers in jeopardy will pay a steep price when their actions result in tragedy. I would like to thank DOI, DOB and OSHA for working in partnership with my office to obtain a measure of justice and accountability in this important case.”

Commissioner Strauber said, “Ignoring construction safety laws can have tragic and deadly consequences, as it did in this case. The custodial sentence imposed on Jiaxi Liu is a warning to construction company owners that prioritize speed and cost over worker safety. I am grateful to Brooklyn District Attorney Eric Gonzalez, the City Buildings Department and the Occupational Safety and Health Administration for their partnership in this case and their commitment to hold accountable those who maintain hazardous construction sites.”

Commissioner Oddo said, “Ignoring safety regulations on construction sites must have consequences. Securing prison time in this case sends an important message to the entire construction industry – endangering the lives of workers and the public is unacceptable. The Brooklyn DA’s Office, DOI, and OSHA have been invaluable partners in pushing for greater construction safety in our City, and we thank them for doggedly pursuing this important case.”

The District Attorney identified the defendant as Jiaxi “Jimmy” Liu, 49, of Staten Island. He was sentenced today by Brooklyn Supreme Court Justice Danny Chun to two to four years in prison following his bench trial conviction in March of criminally negligent homicide, first-degree offering a false instrument for filing, fraudulent practices in violation of worker’s compensation laws, fourth-degree city criminal tax fraud, and related counts. (The DA’s Office recommended a sentence of 5 to 11 years.)

Wilson Garcia, 48, of Staten Island, who served as the foreman at the construction site was convicted of fourth-degree criminal mischief. He is expected to be sentenced on October 18, 2023. Two other codefendants previously entered guilty pleas: Jia Rong “Tommy” Liu, 52, of Brooklyn, to petit larceny, and Cindy Chai, 45, of Staten Island, to tax fraud.

The District Attorney said that, according to the evidence, between April and September 2018, construction workers employed by WSC Group Inc., owned by Liu, performed demolition, excavation and foundation work at a construction site at 714 39th Street in Sunset Park. The construction involved removing a one-story industrial building and replacing it with a four-story manufacturing and community facility, including a new cellar level that would serve as an underground garage approximately nine feet below the first-floor level.

Despite warnings of dangerous conditions at the site from workers and adjacent property owners, Liu refused to stop work at the site. On September 12, 2018, at approximately 2 p.m., a portion of a support of excavation system (SOE) and an existing masonry wall – adjacent to residential apartment buildings – collapsed, trapping one of the construction workers who was performing foundation work in the immediate vicinity. That worker, Luis Sanchez Almonte, 47, an employee of WSC Group, was struck by one of the underpinning pin sections, which weighed well over 15,000 pounds and was buried under the collapsing debris. First responders couldn’t recover Almonte’s body until the following day due to unstable conditions at the site, which were worsened by significant rain.

The District Attorney said that the evidence showed that Liu ran WSC Group, the company hired to perform the excavation work and it was his responsibility to give instructions to the foreperson and workers. Garcia served as the foreperson and “competent person,” designated to identify hazards and take immediate action to correct the hazards on site.

According to the evidence, the defendants were obligated by law to ensure that the construction site was in compliance with regulations promulgated by the DOB and Occupational Safety and Health Administration to ensure the safety of the work site, but, in fact, the site was not in compliance and, furthermore, the defendants failed to follow the design plans submitted and approved by the DOB. They solicited new plans, which were not submitted to DOB, but ultimately didn’t follow any plans, leading to hazardous conditions at the site. Among the issues: the underpinning system wasn’t installed properly; and safe bracing procedures were not followed.

Furthermore, in the days prior to September 12, 2018, Liu was informed of a number of potentially dangerous conditions, including that the rear wall was moving forward and that some support was needed in order to stop the wall’s movement. He was also notified by a resident who lived immediately adjacent to the rear wall that her patio and garage had caved in. Despite those warnings, Liu refused to direct the workers to install additional bracing and never halted work at the site in order to assess or remedy the conditions. Nor did he notify DOB about the conditions.

Instead, he ordered workers to continue working on the underpinning at the rear of the site and in the days immediately preceding the collapse allowed a trucking company to continue to remove truckloads of dirt during a heavy rainstorm, further destabilizing the site and contributing to the fatal collapse.

In addition, WSC defrauded the New York State Insurance Fund by making false statements about who it was employing, and also committed tax fraud by failing to file taxes between 2015 and 2018.

The case was investigated by DOI, specifically the late Investigative Inspector Ross Hoffman and Chief Investigator James McElligott, under the supervision of Inspector General Gregory Cho and Deputy Commissioner/Chief of Investigations Dominick Zarrella, with assistance from DOI’s squad of NYPD Detectives.

DOB Executive Engineer for Engineering Services Geoff Eisele and Assistant Chief Inspector Greg Gonzalez assisted in the investigation. New York State Insurance Fund Investigator Maliaka Williams, Division of Confidential Investigations and OSHA Safety Engineer Mitchel Konca and Safety Engineer James Ng, also assisted in the investigation.

The New York City Sheriff’s Bureau of Criminal Investigation’s Tax Auditor Giselle Decamps-Guthrie and Bureau Chief Gary Wong assisted in the investigation.

The case was prosecuted by Assistant District Attorney Frank Longobardi, Chief of the District Attorney’s Construction Crimes and Labor Fraud Unit, under the supervision of Assistant District Attorney Gregory Pavlides, Chief of the District Attorney’s Fraud Bureau, and Assistant District Attorney Michel Spanakos, Deputy Chief of the District Attorney’s Investigations Division, and the overall supervision of Assistant District Attorney Patricia McNeill, Chief of Investigations.

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Friday, September 22, 2023

Brooklyn Man Indicted for Murder of Girlfriend’s Two-Year-Old Son

Defendant Allegedly Beat the Child to Death While Babysitting

Brooklyn District Attorney Eric Gonzalez today announced that a Brooklyn man has been arraigned on an indictment in which he is charged with murder for the beating death of a two-year-old boy. The child’s mother, who was dating the defendant, was at work at the time of the incident.

District Attorney Gonzalez said, “Little Nasir was a helpless, defenseless child entrusted by his mother to the defendant’s care while she was at work. Instead of ensuring the toddler’s safety, the defendant allegedly beat him so severely that he tragically died. We are determined to see that this defendant is held responsible for this senseless crime, and our hearts are with his mother and loved ones as they grieve this horrific loss.”

The District Attorney identified the defendant as Latrell Lewis, 23, of Crown Heights, Brooklyn. He was arraigned today before Brooklyn Supreme Court Justice Donald Leo on an indictment in which he is charged with second-degree murder, first-degree manslaughter, second-degree manslaughter, and endangering the welfare of a child. The defendant was ordered held without bail and was to return to court on November 17, 2023. He faces a maximum sentence of up to 25 years to life in prison if convicted of the top count.

The District Attorney said that, according to the indictment, on August 27, 2023, at approximately 6:30 a.m., the defendant’s girlfriend left her two-year-old son, Nasir Carter Paris, with the defendant in her home, located on East 68^th Street in Bergen Beach, Brooklyn, when she left for work. Later that morning, the defendant contacted the mother and alleged Nasir was complaining of stomach pain. He called an ambulance at approximately 11:55 a.m. and the child was taken to Brookdale Hospital. Nasir was pronounced dead at approximately 12:54 p.m.

An autopsy performed by the Office of the New York City Medical Examiner determined that the child’s cause of death was from blunt force injuries to the head and torso, resulting in a depressed skull fracture, hemorrhaging between the skull and brain, lacerations to the liver, internal hemorrhaging in the abdomen, contusion to the liver, colon, pancreas, and kidney; and bruises on his torso, neck and face.

The Medical Examiner determined that the child’s injuries are consistent with multiple, inflicted, blunt force traumas.

Additionally, defendant is charged in connection with a prior incident on April 22, 2023, where again while allegedly in the defendant’s sole care, Nasir Carter Paris sustained a spiral fracture of his femur, and the defendant allegedly failed to seek medical attention.

The case is being prosecuted by Assistant District Attorney Perry Cerrato, Deputy Chief of the District Attorney’s Special Victims Bureau, and Senior Assistant District Attorney Chelsea Jacobi, also of the Special Victims Bureau, under the supervision of Assistant District Attorney Miss Gregory, Bureau Chief.

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

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Friday, September 8, 2023

Former Brooklyn Cab Driver Sentenced to 13 Years in Prison for

Violently Assaulting 12-Year-Old Passenger at Gunpoint

Defendant Pleaded Guilty to First-Degree Rape

Brooklyn District Attorney Eric Gonzalez today announced that a former Brooklyn cab driver has been sentenced to 13 years in prison for raping and violently assaulting a 12-year-old girl at gunpoint while driving around with her for more than two hours. The defendant pleaded guilty to first-degree rape in June.

District Attorney Gonzalez said, “With today’s sentence, we are holding this defendant accountable for a brutal and horrific attack against an innocent young girl. I remain committed to keeping our streets safe from violent sexual criminals and to seeking justice for all victims of sexual violence.”

The District Attorney identified the defendant as Rafael Martinez, 35, of East New York, Brooklyn. He was sentenced today by Brooklyn Supreme Court Justice Donald Leo to 13 years in prison and 20 years’ post-release supervision. He must also register as a sex offender upon his release from prison. The defendant pleaded guilty to first-degree rape on June 26, 2023.

The District Attorney said that, according to the evidence, on August 10, 2020, at approximately 5:30 p.m., the defendant picked up a 12-year-old girl from a relative’s home in Fort Greene and was supposed to drive the girl to her home in Bedford-Stuyvesant.

Instead, the defendant stopped the cab on Bergen Street and removed what appeared to be a black firearm from the glove compartment, loaded silver bullets into it and told the victim: “If you say anything, these bullets are for you.”

The defendant then climbed into the backseat, threatened the child with the firearm, and punched her. The defendant then proceeded to rape and sexually assault her, according to the evidence. He then went back into the driver’s seat and drove to a second location, on Herkimer Street, and returned to the backseat, pushed the victim down and raped her again. At approximately 8 p.m., he dropped her home, where she told her mother that she had been raped.

The District Attorney thanked Paralegal Julia Holman, of the District Attorney’s Special Victims Bureau, for her assistance on the case.

The case was prosecuted by Senior Assistant District Attorney Sapna Kishnani, of the District Attorney’s Special Victims Bureau, and Assistant District Attorney Kevin O’Donnell, Deputy Bureau Chief, under the supervision of Assistant District Attorney Miss Gregory, Bureau Chief.

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Wednesday, September 6, 2023

Brooklyn Man Indicted for Assault as a Hate Crime for

Alleged Sexual and Violent Attack Against Trans Woman in Subway

Allegedly Groped, Slapped and Punched Victim After Using Homophobic Slur

Brooklyn District Attorney Eric Gonzalez today announced that a 22-year-old Brooklyn man has been arraigned on an indictment charging him of assault as a hate crime and other charges for an alleged unprovoked attack against a trans woman inside a subway station and car.

District Attorney Gonzalez said, “Every person in our city deserves to safely use the subway, no matter their gender identity or expression. This defendant allegedly groped an innocent individual and then violently attacked her. We will continue to vigorously prosecute violent people and defend the rights of every member of Brooklyn’s LGBTQ community.”

The District Attorney identified the defendants as Ian Williams, 22, of Bedford-Stuyvesant, Brooklyn. He was arraigned today before Brooklyn Supreme Court Justice Danny Chun on an indictment in which he is charged with third-degree assault as a hate crime, third-degree assault, third-degree menacing as a hate crime, forcible touching and other related counts. He was ordered held on $10,000 cash bail or $50,000 bond and to return to court on November 1, 2023. The defendant is facing a maximum sentence of up to four years if convicted of the top count.

The District Attorney said that, according to the evidence, on August 17, 2023, at 1 p.m. the defendant and the 22-year-old victim were waiting for the J-train at the Myrtle Avenue Station in Bed-Stuy. The defendant allegedly made a sexually suggestive gesture at the victim and then grabbed her buttocks. When confronted by the victim, he threatened her and called her a f—-t, according to the investigation.

Both entered the Manhattan-bound J-train and the victim asked the defendant why he groped her and used that slur. The defendant then allegedly slapped the victim, punched her repeatedly and threw her to the floor. Bystanders pulled him away and he moved to another car.

The victim was treated for a broken nose at Lennox Hill Hospital.

The case is being prosecuted by Senior Assistant District Attorney Samantha Perlstein, of the District Attorney’s Hate Crimes Bureau, with the assistance of Assistant District Attorney Shane Kaliszewski, of the District Attorney’s Special Victims Bureau, under the supervision of Assistant District Attorney Kelli M. Muse, Hate Crimes Bureau Chief..

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

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Friday, August 25, 2023

Brooklyn Man Sentenced to 15 Years in Prison

For Attempted Murder of Wife’s Colleague

Defendant Ambushed the Victim Outside of His Dyker Heights Home,

Stabbed Him Repeatedly and Left Him Bleeding Out in Driveway

Brooklyn District Attorney Eric Gonzalez today announced that a Brooklyn man has been sentenced to 15 years in prison for repeatedly stabbing and severely injuring his ex-wife’s work colleague, with whom she carpooled to the office. Victim was rushed to the hospital after his 16-year-old daughter found him bleeding heavily in the driveway of their house.

District Attorney Gonzalez said, “This was a life-altering attack on a completely innocent man who was lucky to be found by his daughter. I am committed to keeping the people of Brooklyn safe from violence. With today’s sentence the defendant has been found accountable for his actions.”

The District Attorney identified the defendant as Jianqing Chen, 43, of Dyker Heights, Brooklyn. He was sentenced today by Brooklyn Supreme Court Justice Jane Tully to 15 years in prison and five years’ post-release supervision. The defendant was convicted of second-degree attempted murder, first-degree assault, fourth-degree criminal possession of a weapon, and second-degree aggravated harassment on July 7, 2023, following a jury trial.

The District Attorney said that between February 1, 2022 and March 3, 2022, the defendant was responsible for approximately 159 harassing phone calls and 500 text messages sent to his 34-year-old estranged wife in which he insulted her and threatened violence against her and her acquaintances, according to the evidence. He also showed up at her Dyker Heights home unannounced and knocked on her window. The defendant and his ex-wife had been married for 10 years before separating in 2019 and shared two children.

On March 3, 2022, at approximately 6 p.m., the defendant left his home on 68^th Street and walked to the victim’s home on 67^th Street. The victim arrived home at about 6:15 p.m. and walked into his shared driveway, according to the evidence, where he was ambushed by the defendant who snuck up from behind and stabbed the victim in the neck, the head, face, back, and arm, causing massive bleeding. The defendant, who cut his own hand during the attack, then fled the scene.

The victim was found a few minutes later when his daughter arrived home. She called 911 and he was taken to the hospital and treated, according to the evidence.

The defendant, meanwhile, eventually went to NYU Langone Hospital, where he told authorities he was robbed by two black men armed with a knife.

Following an investigation, the defendant was arrested for the attack. Evidence included his DNA that was recovered from the knife found at the crime scene and he was also captured on surveillance video during the attack.

The case was prosecuted by Senior Assistant District Attorneys Han Zhang and Aleena Peerzada of the District Attorney’s Blue Zone Trial Bureau, under the supervision of Assistant District Attorney Kin Ng, Chief of the Blue Zone.

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Friday, August 11, 2023

Teenager Indicted for Murder as a Hate Crime for Allegedly Stabbing

O’Shae Sibley in Anti-Gay Attack at Midwood Gas Station

Allegedly Hurled Homophobic Slurs at Victim and His Friends as One of Them Danced

Brooklyn District Attorney Eric Gonzalez today announced that a 17-year-old Brooklyn man has been indicted for murder as a hate crime and related charges for allegedly stabbing and killing dancer and choreographer O’Shae Sibley at a Midwood gas station after hurling homophobic and anti-Black slurs.

District Attorney Gonzalez said, “O’Shae came to New York to follow his dream and brightened our city with his light. We honor his life, celebrate his courage, and commit to hold accountable the individual allegedly responsible for this horrific murder. O’Shae and his friends were targeted for being themselves, dancing joyfully and harming no one. There is no tolerance for hate in Brooklyn, where we value our diversity, inclusion and the freedom to be who we are.”

The District Attorney identified the defendant as Dmitriy Popov, 17, of Sheepshead Bay, Brooklyn. He was arraigned today before Brooklyn Supreme Court Justice Craig Walker on an indictment in which he is charged with second-degree murder as a hate crime, second-degree murder, first-degree manslaughter as a hate crime, first-degree manslaughter, fourth-degree criminal possession of a weapon and related counts. He was ordered held without bail and to return to court on October 10, 2023. If convicted of the top count he faces a minimum of 20 years to life and a maximum of 25 years to life.

The District Attorney said that, according to the investigation, on July 29, 2023, at approximately 11:06 p.m., at a Mobil gas station located at 1935 Coney Island Avenue in Midwood, Brooklyn, O’Shae Sibley and four of his friends stopped to fill up their car with gas after returning from the beach. Still in their beachwear, they stepped out to stretch their legs while listening to music, with one member of the group dancing outside their vehicle. The defendant and two associates then exited the gas station store and allegedly hurled homophobic and racist slurs at the men, saying, in sum and substance, “Get that gay s–t out of here.”

Sibley attempted to diffuse the situation and he and his friends responded, in substance, “You don’t know us, we’re just having a good time and enjoying our lives. It’s all respect, we’re allowed to be here just like you.” The defendant’s friends left at some point, but the defendant remained outside the gas station store, recording on his cell phone and allegedly continuing to antagonize the group with hateful remarks. When Sibley and two of his friends confronted the defendant, he allegedly reached into his pocket and pointed a knife at one of Sibley’s friends, threatening to stab him. The defendant then allegedly stabbed Sibley on the side of his chest, puncturing his heart, according to the evidence.

Sibley was pronounced dead at Maimonides Hospital a short time later.

The case is being prosecuted by Senior Assistant District Attorney Sarah Jafari, of the District Attorney’s Homicide Bureau, and Senior Assistant District Attorney Prabhalya Pulim, of the District Attorney’s Hate Crimes Bureau, under the supervision of Assistant District Attorney Leila Rosini, Homicide Bureau Chief and Kelli Muse, Hate Crimes Bureau Chief.

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

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Wednesday, August 9, 2023

Brooklyn Man Pleads Guilty in Connection with Real Estate Fraud Involving Properties in Bedford-Stuyvesant, Bushwick and Park Slope

Defendant Stole Approximately $775,000 Using Fake

Documents and Shell Corporations

Brooklyn District Attorney Eric Gonzalez today announced that a Brooklyn man has pleaded guilty to grand larceny for a deed fraud scheme in connection with two properties, one in Bedford-Stuyvesant and the other in Bushwick.  Additionally, the defendant committed mortgage fraud related to a third property in Park Slope.  In total, the defendant stole approximately $775,000 using shell corporations to file fraudulent deeds and mortgage documents.

District Attorney Gonzalez said, “This defendant filed phony deeds and mortgage documents against multiple properties in a brazen real estate scheme that defrauded homeowners and lenders. Today’s plea sends a strong message to any would-be fraudsters that we will vigorously pursue justice on behalf of fraud victims and seek serious penalties for offenders.”

The District Attorney identified the defendant as Derrick Johnson, a.k.a. Jay Rendell, 60, of Clinton Hill, Brooklyn. He was pleaded guilty today before Brooklyn Supreme Court Justice Laura Johnson to an indictment in which he is charged with five counts of second-degree grand larceny. The judge promised the defendant an indeterminate term of three to nine years in prison when he is sentenced on August 30, 2023.

Additionally, the defendant pleaded guilty to second-degree attempted criminal possession of a weapon on January 6, 2023, and was supposed to be sentenced on May 8, 2023, but failed to appear and a bench warrant was issued. He was subsequently arrested in Georgia and returned to New York, where he was indicted for and pleaded guilty to bail jumping. He will be sentenced to five years in prison on the gun case and one year on the bail jumping case.

He will be sentenced on all three cases on August 30, 2023. All three sentences will run concurrently.

The District Attorney said that, according to the investigation, on November 25, 2020, the defendant fraudulently obtained a mortgage on an apartment building at 349 17^th Street in Park Slope by using fake documents to induce a commercial lender to issue him a mortgage of $337,825, which he stole.

Furthermore, according to the investigation, from June 10, 2021, through June 24, 2021, the defendant, acting with an indicted alleged accomplice, fraudulently transferred title to 1517 Broadway in Bushwick to a shell corporation and induced a different commercial lender to issue them a mortgage of $107,607. They allegedly divided the proceeds with Johnson stealing $50,000 and the remainder allegedly going to his co-defendant.

The following month, from July 1, 2021, through July 29, 2021, Johnson fraudulently transferred title to an apartment building at 323 Malcom X Boulevard in Bedford-Stuyvesant to a shell corporation that he controlled and induced a third commercial lender to issue his corporation a mortgage of $329,332, which Johnson also stole.

Deed fraud complaints are down citywide, particularly in Brooklyn. One of the objectives of the fraud is to sell the property to an unwitting buyer, which often requires a closing. Many such closings are orchestrated by skilled operators, who involve both accomplices and, by necessity, unsuspecting real estate professionals, and use the same methods to steal one property after another. For the last eight years, the Brooklyn District Attorney’s Office has focused on identifying and investigating these operators, indicting them and their accomplices and successfully obtaining sentences of years in prison for the persons that drive these ongoing schemes.

Although there are various factors that may affect the number of complaints, these targeted prosecutions and sentences have a meaningful impact. According to the city’s Department of Finance, deed fraud complaints in Brooklyn declined from 318 in 2015 to 72 in 2021. They fell to 31 the following year with only four in the first half of this year.

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

• Register with the NYC Department of Finance’s Automated City Register Information System (ACRIS) Recorded Document Notification Program to receive automatic notifications regarding any changes to your deed or property records and make sure they have the correct address to receive property notices.
• Designate a trusted family member or friend to receive notices if you are unable.
• Never sign any contract you do not understand.
• For more information, click here.

The case is being prosecuted by Assistant District Attorney Richard Farrell, Chief of the District Attorney’s Real Estate Fraud Unit, and Senior Assistant District Attorney Frank Ungerer of the District Attorney’s Frauds Bureau, under the supervision of Assistant District Attorney Gregory Pavlides, Chief of the Frauds Bureau, and the overall supervision of Michel Spanakos, Deputy Chief of the District Attorney’s Investigations Division, and Patricia McNeill, Chief of Investigations.

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