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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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Monday, July 10, 2023

Brooklyn Men Arraigned on Indictment Charging Them

With Six Burglaries of Homes and Businesses in Bensonhurst

Allegedly Stole More than $150,000 Worth of Jewelry and Cash

Brooklyn District Attorney Eric Gonzalez and New York City Police Commissioner Edward A. Caban today announced that two Brooklyn men have been arraigned on an indictment for allegedly committing a string of six burglaries in Bensonhurst between August 2022 and January 2023. Of the burglaries, two were of private dwellings and four were local stores.

District Attorney Gonzalez said, “These defendants are allegedly professional burglars whose crime spree violated the sanctity of local homeowners and businesses in the Bensonhurst community, and we will now seek to hold them accountable. Together with the NYPD, we have been focusing enforcement efforts on alleged repeat offenders, leading to a double-digit percentage decline in Brooklyn burglaries so far this year.”

NYPD Commissioner Caban said, “Today’s indictment is the result of determined police work at the precinct level coupled with relentless follow-up by NYPD investigators and our colleagues in the Brooklyn District Attorney’s Office. And because no community should ever be plagued by alleged career criminals victimizing hardworking people where they live and work, the men and women of the NYPD will keep working hand-in-hand with all of our local, state, and federal law enforcement partners to ensure that New Yorkers are safe – and feel safe, too.”

The District Attorney identified the defendants as Sam Kravchenko, 36, of Coney Island, Brooklyn, and John Catullo, 55, of Bensonhurst, Brooklyn. They were arraigned today before Brooklyn Supreme Court Justice Donald Leo on a 74-count indictment in which they are variously charged with fourth-, fifth- and sixth-degree conspiracy, second- and third-degree burglary, third- and fourth-degree grand larceny, third-, fourth- and fifth-degree criminal possession of stolen property, possession of burglars’ tools, trespass and related charges. They were ordered held without bail and to return to court on September 20, 2023.

The District Attorney said that, according to the investigation, the defendants were charged in connection with the following incidents:

The defendant and his co-defendants were named in a 2018 indictment in which they were variously charged with conspiracy to commit murder, conspiracy to possess weapons, and other charges in connection with eight separate shootings, including two fatalities.

• On August 8, 2022, the defendants allegedly burglarized a private home on West 12^th Street in Gravesend and stole two Rolex watches, a Cartier gold watch, a gold necklace with a diamond cross, a gold bracelet, a diamond bracelet, and diamond earrings.
• On September 6, 2022, the defendants allegedly burglarized a grocery store on 17^th Avenue in Bensonhurst, stealing a safe containing approximately $15,000 cash as well as a cash register containing petty cash.
• On October 6, 2022, the defendants allegedly burglarized a grocery store located on Bath Avenue in Bath Beach and stole a security box containing approximately $10,000 cash and a cash register containing petty cash.
• On October 6, 2022, the defendants allegedly burglarized a grocery store located on New Utrecht Avenue in Bensonhurst and stole a security box containing approximately $10,000 cash and a cash register containing petty cash.
• On November 13, 2022, the defendants allegedly burglarized a vape shop located on 18^th Avenue in Bensonhurst and stole approximately $38,211 worth of merchandise.
• On January 18, 2023, the defendants allegedly burglarized a private home located on 76^th Street in Bensonhurst and stole approximately $7,000 cash, two Rolexes, a Cartier bracelet, a necklace and matching earring set, and a gold necklace.

Defendant Kravchenko was arrested on January 26, 2023, after a car stop for failure to signal. He was allegedly driving with a suspended license, and police allegedly recovered 39 Oxycodone pills in his vehicle along with two police scanners. Upon further investigation using cell phone sites, enhanced video and other evidence, the defendants were linked to the burglaries.

The case was investigated by New York City Police Officer Nicholas Occhipinti, Sergeant James Sinnott and Detective Anthony Brucato, all of the 62^nd Precinct.

The District Attorney thanked Intelligence Analyst Fatima Shaik and Unit Chief Jingu Chong, of the District Attorney’s Digital Evidence Lab and Jannette Lukowsky, Deputy Chief of the District Attorney’s Law Enforcement Assistance Unit, for their work on the case.

The case is being prosecuted by Senior Assistant District Attorney Joseph Duarte, of the District Attorney’s Orange Zone Trial Bureau, under the supervision of Assistant District Attorney Michael Trabulsi and Assistant District Attorney Iris Das, Deputy Bureau Chiefs, and the overall supervision of Assistant District Attorney Danielle Eaddy, 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, July 26, 2023

Brooklyn Gang Member Sentenced to 25 Years to

Life in Prison for Fatally Shooting a Man

Bullets Also Struck School Bus and MTA Bus

Brooklyn District Attorney Eric Gonzalez today announced that a reputed Brooklyn gang member has been sentenced to 25 years to life in prison following his conviction for murdering a man outside a Brownsville bodega. Stray bullets struck a nearby school bus and an MTA bus, barely missing their passengers.

District Attorney Gonzalez said, “This defendant robbed a two-year-old girl of her father, devastated a family, and endangered the lives of countless others with stray bullets hitting two crowded buses. Today’s sentence holds him accountable for this despicable crime, and I hope it offers some comfort to the victim’s loved ones.”

The District Attorney identified the defendant as Jamel Dossie, 34, of Brownsville, Brooklyn. He was sentenced today by Brooklyn Supreme Court Justice Phyllis Chu to 25 years to life in prison. The defendant was convicted of second-degree murder and second-degree criminal possession of a weapon on June 29, 2023, following a jury trial.

The District Attorney said that, according to the evidence, on November 19, 2019, at approximately 8:45 a.m., outside a bodega on Pennsylvania Avenue in East New York, Brooklyn, the defendant shot and killed 32-year-old Francisco Bonilla, the father of a 2-year-old girl. Flying bullets hit a school bus that was carrying young children to daycare and went through the rear door of an MTA bus full of passengers. No one was hurt on those buses.

The evidence showed that the defendant, who was a member of the Blood Stone Villains gang, was looking for the victim at a bodega the victim used to frequent. Surveillance videos captured the defendant in the moments before, during and after the murder. Specifically, the video showed him wearing a red baseball cap in the moments before the murder. Footage then tracked the defendant as he hunted the victim down and opened fire at the intersection of Pennsylvania and Dumont Avenues. Finally, video tracked the defendant as he returned to a nearby building where he was seen putting a gun inside of a mailbox and celebrating the murder by dancing and laughing with two women in the lobby.

Another video captured him a short time later entering a fourth-floor apartment, wearing that red hat again, and subsequently leaving the apartment without the hat. That same hat was later recovered from the apartment with the defendant’s DNA on it.

The case was prosecuted by Assistant District Attorney Michael Diamond, of the District Attorney’s Violent Criminal Enterprises Bureau, under the supervision of Assistant District Attorney Matthew Stewart, Deputy Chief of VCE, and the overall supervision of Assistant District Attorney Alfred De Ingeniis, VCE Chief.

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Thursday, July 6, 2023

Brooklyn Man Sentenced to 27 Years to Life in Prison for

Killing Building Superintendent and Burying Body in Unmarked Grave

Defendant Was Convicted Murder and Concealment of a Corpse

Brooklyn District Attorney Eric Gonzalez today announced that a Brooklyn man has been sentenced to 27 years to life in prison for a 2017 murder in which he fatally strangled a building superintendent in Bushwick who had been hired to replace him. The defendant then attempted to cover-up the crime by burying the victim’s body in an unmarked grave outside his grandmother’s house.

District Attorney Gonzalez said, “The senselessness of this cold-blooded murder shocks the conscience, and my heart continues to be with Daniel Rivera’s loved ones. Today’s lengthy prison sentence makes our community safer and ensures this defendant will pay a heavy price for this callous and horrific crime.”

The District Attorney identified the defendant as Keith Floyd, 44, of Bushwick, Brooklyn. He was sentenced today by Brooklyn Supreme Court Justice Rhonda Ziomaida Tomlinson to 27 years to life in prison. He was convicted of second-degree murder, first-degree hindering prosecution, and concealment of a human corpse, on February 21, 2023, following a jury trial.

The District Attorney said that, according to the evidence, on September 27, 2017, in the vicinity of 146 Grove Street, the defendant killed Daniel Rivera by asphyxiation. At the time, the 41-year-old victim was working as a superintendent for a building management company in Bushwick. Rivera had been hired to replace the defendant after the defendant was fired in April 2017 following his arrest for gun possession. Additionally, the defendant was facing eviction from his apartment at 91 Himrod Street on September 29, 2017. Once vacated, the company-owned apartment would have gone to Rivera.

Several days before his scheduled eviction, according to the evidence, the defendant began to communicate with the victim by phone calls and text messages. On September 27, 2017, the day of the murder, the defendant texted with the victim for seven hours. Extensive evidence including video and surveillance footage provide a detailed timeline of the defendant’s interactions with the victim.

The defendant left his apartment at 91 Himrod Street at approximately 3:05 p.m. and walked about five blocks to 146 Grove Street, which is one of the properties that Rivera cleaned and maintained. Approximately 40 minutes later, the defendant killed the victim at that property.

Later that evening the defendant and his sister, Adrianna Floyd, 41, returned to the Grove Street property, wrapped the victim’s body in several trash bags, loaded it into a shopping cart, and brought it to the defendant’s apartment.

At approximately 2:17 a.m., on September 30, 2017, according to the evidence, the defendant used the victim’s cellphone to send a text to the victim’s boss stating that Rivera was quitting because he found a new job.

Later that morning, at approximately 6:30 a.m., the defendant was captured on surveillance video wheeling the shopping cart with the victim’s body out of his apartment and down the block to his grandmother’s home at 54 Himrod Street, where he buried the body.

On October 5, 2017, the New York City Police Department received an anonymous tip that there was a dead body buried in the backyard at 54 Himrod Street. The next day, detectives found Rivera’s body buried in a shallow grave. The victim was wrapped in plastic trash bags and had a clear plastic garbage wrapped tightly around his head and neck. The New York City Medical Examiner conducted an autopsy and ruled the cause of death was homicidal asphyxia.

The case was prosecuted by Assistant District Attorney Robert J. Walsh, Chief of the District Attorney’s Grey Zone Trial Bureau, and Senior Assistant District Attorney Sanam Shah, also of the Grey Zone.

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Thursday, June 29, 2023

Former Brooklyn Postal Worker Indicted for Stealing Over $160,000

Defendant Worked as Window Clerk at a Post Office in Bensonhurst Where She Allegedly Voided Customers’ Money Order Purchases and Pocketed the Cash

Brooklyn District Attorney Eric Gonzalez, together with United States Postal Service, Office of the Inspector General, Northeast Area Field Office, Special Agent in Charge Matthew Modafferi, today announced that a Brooklyn woman has been arraigned on an indictment in which she is charged with second-degree grand larceny, official misconduct, and first-degree falsifying business records for allegedly stealing more than $160,000 while working as a window clerk at a post office in Bensonhurst.

District Attorney Gonzalez said, “This defendant allegedly abused her position and betrayed the public trust for her own personal gain. A thorough investigation uncovered the extent of her alleged theft, and we will now seek to hold her accountable. Public corruption will not be tolerated in Brooklyn.”

Special Agent in Charge Modafferi said, “The Special Agents of the U.S. Postal Service, Office of Inspector General are dedicated to maintaining the integrity of the Postal Service and its personnel. When a Postal Service employee decides to break the public’s trust and participates in criminal acts, USPS OIG Special Agents will work tirelessly to bring those responsible to justice. This indictment will serve as a reminder that there are severe consequences when individuals utilize their Postal Service position to commit crimes. The U.S. Postal Service, Office of Inspector General would like to thank our law enforcement partners and the Brooklyn District Attorney’s Office for their dedication and efforts in this investigation.”

The District Attorney identified the defendant as Sherrin Saddler, 34, of Brooklyn. She was arraigned today before Brooklyn Supreme Court Justice Michael Kitsis on an indictment in which she is charged with second-degree grand larceny, official misconduct, and 180 counts of first-degree falsifying business records. She was released without bail and ordered to return to court on September 13, 2023.

The District Attorney said that, according to the investigation, between November 15, 2019, and July 30, 2020, the defendant allegedly stole over $160,0000 while working as a window clerk at the Parkville Station post office in Bensonhurst. It is alleged the defendant received cash from customers who purchased money orders. The defendant then voided the money orders – and pocketed the cash – once the customers left. According to the investigation, the defendant did this 180 times. Some customers’ money orders bounced, while other customers were able to remit the money orders as payment to the addressee or vendor without issue. However, when the money orders were cashed and then returned to the U.S. Federal Reserve for accounting, the money orders were found to have been voided. After an audit, USPS Inspectors learned of the loss occurring at the Parkville Station location and launched an investigation.

The case is being prosecuted by Senior Assistant District Attorney Tamara Edelstein, of the District Attorney’s Frauds Bureau, under the supervision of Assistant District Attorney Adam Libove, Deputy Chief of the District Attorney’s Public Integrity Bureau, and Assistant District Attorney Laura Neubauer, Chief of the Public Integrity Bureau, and the overall supervision of Assistant District Attorney Michel Spanakos, Deputy Chief of the District Attorney’s 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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Wednesday, June 21, 2023

Brooklyn Man Sentenced to 22 Years to Life in Prison for Double Murder

Pleaded Guilty to Shooting and Stabbing His Girlfriend’s Mother and Her Stepfather,

Victims were Slain in Their Sheepshead Bay Apartment 

Brooklyn District Attorney Eric Gonzalez today announced that a Brooklyn man has been sentenced to 22 years to life in prison for participating in the murder of his former girlfriend’s mother and her stepfather. Each of the victims was shot and stabbed.

District Attorney Gonzalez said, “Today’s lengthy sentence holds this defendant accountable for his role in this brutal and horrific double murder that robbed two innocent victims of their lives. The depravity of these crimes cannot be overstated, and while no sentence can bring the victims back to their family and friends, I hope this sentence offers them some sense of solace.”

The District Attorney identified the defendant as Jerry Maisonett, 35, of Sunset Park, Brooklyn. He was sentenced today by Brooklyn Supreme Court Justice Niki Warin to 22 years to life in prison. The defendant pleaded guilty to first-degree murder on August 8, 2022.

The District Attorney said that, according to the investigation, on December 28, 2015, at approximately 3:30 p.m., the defendant, acting in concert with another person, shot and stabbed Rosie Sanchez, 38 and Anderson Nunez, 40, in their apartment located at 2364 Batchelder Street, in Sheepshead Bay, Brooklyn. The defendant’s former girlfriend, Destiny Garcia, also lived in the apartment.

Rosie Sanchez was shot in the head and stabbed in the heart. Anderson Nunez was shot twice and stabbed more than 30 times.

The defendant was arrested on February 16, 2016, following an investigation.

Destiny Garcia, 22, was arrested on January 4, 2016, after she made statements about the killings to a cousin, who alerted police. She was convicted of two counts of first-degree manslaughter and one count of second-degree criminal possession of a weapon following a jury trial and will be sentenced on August 3, 2023.

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

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