Press Releases

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Tuesday, May 15, 2018

East Flatbush Man Convicted of Murder for Strangulation Death
Of His Former Girlfriend, Who Had Order of Protection Against Him

Defendant Showed up at Victim’s Workplace; Incident Captured on Surveillance Video

Brooklyn District Attorney Eric Gonzalez today announced that a 34-year-old man has been convicted of second-degree murder for the strangulation death of his former girlfriend, 25-year-old Deneisha Smith.

District Attorney Gonzalez said, “This was a brutal and vicious assault of an innocent woman who had her whole life ahead of her. The defendant is now facing up to life in prison for this callous murder. I remain committed to pursuing justice for all individuals injured or killed by current or former intimate partners.”

The District Attorney identified the defendant as Rolanso Lexune, 34, of East Flatbush, Brooklyn. He was convicted of second-degree murder yesterday following a jury trial before Brooklyn Supreme Court Justice Jill Konviser. He will be sentenced on June 11, 2018, at which time he faces 25 years to life in prison.

The District Attorney said that, according to trial testimony, on October 1, 2016, at approximately 9:30 a.m., the defendant showed up at Bedford Technology, the workplace of Deneisha Smith, his former girlfriend, located at 2184 Bedford Avenue, in Flatbush. The victim buzzed the defendant into the store and the two are seen interacting when the defendant suddenly uses force to push the victim into a backroom out of public view, according to surveillance video. Further video recovered from the backroom shows the defendant arguing with the victim, looking at her cell phone, assaulting the victim, and ultimately strangling her with his hands before leaving the scene.

The victim’s body was discovered three hours later by a co-worker and she was pronounced dead at the scene by medical personnel. The defendant was arrested at his East Flatbush apartment, where he lived with his wife and children, after being identified on the videotape surveillance. The victim had a full order of protection against the defendant stemming from an earlier incident in which he struck the victim and stole her cell phone.

The case was prosecuted by Assistant District Attorney Vincent Bocchetti, Deputy Chief of the District Attorney’s Domestic Violence Bureau and Assistant District Attorney Sydelle Exantus, also of the DV Bureau, under the supervision of Assistant District Attorney Michele Kaminsky, Bureau Chief.

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Monday, May 14, 2018

Bay Ridge Man Sentenced to Up to Nine Years in Prison
For Killing Young Cyclist While Driving Drunk

Swerved Across Center Median and Struck 17-Year-Old Victim Head On

Brooklyn District Attorney Eric Gonzalez today announced that a 26-year-old Brooklyn man was sentenced to up to nine years in prison for fatally striking 17-year-old Sean Ryan while driving drunk at a high rate of speed in Gerritsen Beach.

District Attorney Gonzalez said, “This defendant’s reckless and criminal driving took the life of a promising teenager who was doing nothing more than riding his bike. I am determined to continue prosecuting dangerous motorists who kill others on Brooklyn’s roadways, which should be safe for everyone who uses them.”

The District Attorney identified the defendant as Thomas Groarke, 26, of Bay Ridge, Brooklyn. He was sentenced today by Brooklyn Supreme Court Justice Matthew Sciarrino to an indeterminate sentence of three to nine years in prison following his guilty plea in March to second-degree manslaughter, which was offered by the Court over the prosecutor’s objection.

The District Attorney said that, according to the investigation, on July 17, 2016 at approximately 8:45 p.m., the defendant was driving a 2015 Honda Accord, returning with four passengers from a day of drinking at the Tiki Bar in Staten Island. The defendant was going approximately 80 mph on Gerritsen Avenue when, near the intersection of Florence Avenue, he swerved to pass a slower vehicle.

The defendant’s car crossed the center median and struck 17-year-old Sean Ryan, who was riding his bicycle in the other direction, killing him instantly, the evidence showed. Two other people suffered minor injuries. The defendant’s blood alcohol level was measured about two and a half hours after the crash at .14, nearly twice the legal limit of .08.
The case was prosecuted by Assistant District Attorney Nicole Itkin, Deputy Bureau Chief of the District Attorney’s Green Zone Trial Bureau, under the supervision of Assistant District Attorney David Klestzick, Bureau Chief, and Assistant District Attorney Craig Esswein, Chief of the District Attorney’s Vehicular Crimes Unit.

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Thursday, May 10, 2018

Brooklyn Waitress Sentenced to up to Nine Years in Prison for
Stealing Almost $500,000 from Elderly Diner Patron

Defendant Became Trusted Confidant, Gained Access to Victim’s Accounts

Brooklyn District Attorney Eric Gonzalez today announced that a 46-year-old woman from Flatlands, Brooklyn has been sentenced to three to nine years in prison pursuant to her guilty plea to grand larceny. The defendant stole approximately $470,000 from a customer who frequented a diner where she worked as a waitress.

District Attorney Gonzalez said, “This defendant preyed on an elderly and lonely widow, gained her trust and then used the victim’s money as her own private bank account to pay for gambling, vacations and other expenses. Her greedy betrayal was egregious and deplorable. My Office will remain vigilant in protecting our seniors and other vulnerable residents from abuse and exploitation.”

The District Attorney identified the defendant as Alicia P. Legall, 46, of Flatlands, Brooklyn. She was sentenced yesterday by Brooklyn Supreme Court Justice Danny Chun to an indeterminate term of three to nine years in prison following her guilty plea last month to second-degree grand larceny. She also signed a judgment order of restitution for $470,299.

The District Attorney said that, according to the indictment, between June 2012 and December 2016, Legall stole approximately $470,000 from an elderly widow who was in her 80’s. The defendant befriended the victim, beginning in 2002, while she was a waitress at the local diner that the woman patronized. Over the course of several years, she gained access to the victim’s personal information, including her date of birth, address, social security number, and bank and credit card information.

The defendant had permission to use the victim’s credit cards for small purchases at local drug stores and supermarkets, but she abused that trust. Specifically, the investigation found, she stole more than $200,000 by cashing 75 checks written to herself or cash on the woman’s HSBC bank account. Each of the checks contained the victim’s forged signature.

Furthermore, according to the indictment, from March 2013 through April 2016, the defendant stole $277,789 by making unauthorized charges against the woman’s Citibank Sears Mastercard accounts, including $73,399 in cash advances and $204,390 in purchases from various retailers including Apple, JetBlue, Victoria’s Secret, New York Racing Authority’s buffets and bars, Harrah’s in Atlantic City, hotels, clubs and restaurants in Miami and other parts of Florida, and Belmont Racetrack.

In addition to the financial theft, the defendant stole the victim’s identity by opening additional lines of credit and creating online profiles with horse wagering websites such as TwinSpires and Churchill Downs, using the victim’s social security number, date of birth, home address and Mastercard, but using her own email and phone number.

The case was investigated by Detectives Rocco Russo and Jackson Todd of the New York City Police Department’s Financial Crimes Task Force, with the assistance of Deborah Wey, Supervising Financial Investigator of the Brooklyn District Attorney’s office.

The was case prosecuted by Assistant District Attorney Karen P. Turner, of the District Attorney’s Frauds Bureau, under the supervision of Assistant District Attorney Patricia McNeill, Deputy Chief of the District Attorney’s Investigations Division.

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Wednesday, May 9, 2018

Police Officer Indicted for Off-Duty Road Rage Assault

Allegedly Struck Motorist with Handcuffs, Causing Him to Need 10 Stitches; Fled the Scene

Brooklyn District Attorney Eric Gonzalez today announced that a New York City Police Officer has been arraigned on an indictment in which he is charged with assault and other charges for allegedly attacking a motorist on New Year’s Day.

District Attorney Gonzalez said, “This defendant’s alleged aggressive driving and outrageous behavior resulted in a frightening attack on a fellow motorist. There is no place for road rage in Brooklyn and it is especially alarming coming from a trained police officer. We will now seek to hold him accountable for his alleged actions.”

The District Attorney identified the defendant as Michael Baror, 23, of Transit District 32. He was arraigned today before Brooklyn Supreme Court Justice Danny Chun on an 11-count indictment charging him with second- and third-degree assault, leaving the scene of an incident without reporting, fourth-degree criminal possession of a weapon, reckless driving, menacing and related charges. Bail was set at $15,000 and the defendant was ordered to return to court on August 8, 2018. He faces up to seven years in prison if convicted of the top count.

The District Attorney said that, according to the investigation, on January 1, 2018, at approximately 10:30 p.m., at Avenue N and Bedford Avenue, the defendant was driving his personal vehicle, a Jeep Cherokee that was illegally equipped with lights and sirens. He was allegedly flashing his high beams at a car in front of him and rear-ended it. He then allegedly got out of the car and pulled out his pistol and pistol-whipped the other driver, a 29-year-old man. He repeatedly struck the victim in the face with handcuffs before getting back in his Jeep and driving away.

The victim followed the defendant. The victim’s girlfriend, who was also in the vehicle, called 911 and remained on the phone during the chase. Both vehicles were allegedly speeding and running red lights and the victim eventually crashed into the defendant’s vehicle. Police were at the scene within minutes, but the defendant had fled. He did not report the incident to police or his job. The defendant was arrested the following day and a search of his vehicle revealed that he removed the lights and sirens. The defendant, who is seen on surveillance video with a thick beard and hair on his head during part of the incident, had shaved his head and beard by the time police arrived to arrest him.

The victim was treated at a hospital and sustained stitches to his mouth.

The case is being prosecuted by Assistant District Attorney Kelli M. Muse, Deputy Chief of the District Attorney’s Civil Rights Bureau, under the supervision of Assistant District Attorney Patricia McNeill, Deputy Chief of the District Attorney’s Investigations Division.

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

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Wednesday, May 9, 2018

Defendant Pleads Guilty to Promoting Prostitution
Of Three Teenage Girls in East New York

Victims Were Ages 13, 15 and 17

Brooklyn District Attorney Eric Gonzalez today announced that an East New York man has pleaded guilty to promoting three underage girls as prostitutes and will face up to 10 years in state prison.

District Attorney Gonzalez said, “This defendant exploited and abused vulnerable young girls who were made to sell their bodies for his profit. With today’s guilty plea he is being held responsible for his despicable and unconscionable actions.”

The District Attorney identified the defendant as Whetsel Wade, 46, of East New York, Brooklyn. He pleaded guilty to second-degree promoting prostitution in exchange for a promised indeterminate sentence of five to 10 years in prison from Brooklyn Supreme Court Justice Danny Chun. He will be required to register as a sex offender upon release from prison. Sentencing was set for June 20, 2018. A co-defendant, Keisia Atkins, 30, previously pleaded guilty to endangering the welfare of a child.

The District Attorney said that, according to the investigation, between August 2016 and November 2016, Wade promoted the 13, 15 and 17-year-old girls as prostitutes, posting photos of them on Backpage.com, alongside advertisements for escorts. The defendant would then drive the minors to hotels or private apartments to meet men who paid to have sex with them. The investigation also revealed that in addition to the minor victims, Wade promoted the prostitution of approximately five other women.

Atkins helped Wade promote the 13-year-old victim for several days after she turned 14.

On November 14, 2016, police responded to an incident at Wade’s house and found the 17-year-old victim inside the defendant’s basement. The defendant had fled the scene and was arrested two days later.

The case was investigated by New York City Police Department Detective David Mills from the Vice Major Case Team, under the supervision of Captain Thomas Milano and the overall supervision of Inspector James Klein.

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

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Friday, May 4, 2018

Brooklyn District Attorney and Mayor’s Office to Combat Domestic Violence Announce Expansion of Anti-Stalking Program to Brooklyn

Coordinated Approach to Identify Stalking

Brooklyn District Attorney Eric Gonzalez, together with Commissioner Cecile Noel of the Mayor’s Office to Combat Domestic Violence (OCDV), today announced that a successful program operated by OCDV that has increased identification and reporting of stalking in Staten Island and Queens is being launched in Brooklyn.

District Attorney Gonzalez said, “This specialized training is an important part of our continuing commitment to protecting victims of intimate partner violence. If we can identify potentially dangerous behavior such as stalking early on then we can utilize all of our resources to try to intervene and keep this potentially criminal behavior from escalating to physical injury or death.”

Commissioner Noel said, “The CAPS initiative has helped to increase the safety of survivors since the program’s inception by increasing awareness of the dangers of stalking. With this expansion, the work of this program will provide an even greater number of police officers and district attorney’s offices with critical tools to recognize and manage cases of stalking, ensuring that they provide survivors with timely and informed assistance. We are happy to partner with the King County District Attorney’s office on this important work.”

The Coordinated Approach to Stalking program (CAPS) is a collaborative initiative between the District Attorney’s Office, OCDV and the New York City Police Department to increase the identification and reporting of intimate partner stalking cases, enhance stalking arrests and prosecutions and link victims to services. The CAPS initiative is a homicide prevention program linking stalking victims to critical services before the pattern of behavior escalates to physical assault or homicide. National statistics find that 54% of female homicide victims reported stalking to the police before they were killed by their intimate partner.

Stalking cases involve ongoing behavior that can include sending gifts and flowers, multiple phone calls and texts and repeatedly showing up at a person’s home, school or work. In New York, defendants may be charged with Stalking in the First Degree, a D felony; Stalking in the Second Degree, an E felony; Stalking in the Third Degree, an A misdemeanor; or Stalking in the Fourth Degree, a B misdemeanor, depending on the type of behavior involved, prior criminal acts and the age of the victim.

OCDV, NYPD and the District Attorney’s Office have recently trained police officers and Brooklyn DA staff to identify stalking behavior and to determine when there is probable cause for an arrest; to understand the stalking statutes, draft stalking complaints and prosecute stalking cases; engage in risk assessment and safety planning with stalking victims; and to work with victims to document and preserve evidence of stalking incidents.

The CAPS program was launched on Staten Island in 2014 and expanded to Queens in 2015. Within the first year of the program launch there was a 233% increase in stalking arrests recorded on Staten Island. It was then launched in Queens in July 2015 in four precincts and expanded to all 13 precincts by April 2016. After it was expanded to all precincts in Queens, there was a 177% increase in stalking arrests compared to the prior year.

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Thursday, May 3, 2018

Staten Island Woman Indicted for Reckless Manslaughter for Killing Two Children in Park Slope Intersection While Driving Despite Doctor’s Orders

Suffered Seizure and Crashed into Pedestrians in Crosswalk;
Was Instructed Not to Drive Weeks Earlier Following Hospital Stay

Brooklyn District Attorney Eric Gonzalez today announced that a 44-year-old woman from Staten Island has been charged in a 10-count indictment with manslaughter and other charges for allegedly crashing her car into pedestrians in a Park Slope crosswalk, killing 4-year-old Abigail Blumenstein and 1-year-old Joshua Lew, and injuring three others. The defendant, who suffered a seizure at the time of the collision, was instructed not to drive after being hospitalized less than two months earlier after crashing her car into a parked vehicle.

District Attorney Gonzalez said, “The loss of Abigail and Joshua was a horrific – and avoidable – tragedy that devastated their loved ones and hurt so many of their friends and neighbors. After a thorough investigation that started in the hours after the crash, my office indicted the driver for recklessly causing their deaths. Her alleged insistence on driving despite doctor’s orders and serious medical conditions that prevented her from safely doing so was not only irresponsible, it was unlawful. I intend to now hold her accountable and urge all drivers to heed instructions of medical professionals and never drive a car when told not to.”

The District Attorney identified the defendant as Dorothy Bruns, 44, of Staten Island. She was arraigned today before Brooklyn Supreme Court Justice Danny Chun on a 10-count indictment in which she is charged with second-degree manslaughter, criminally negligent homicide, reckless endangerment, third-degree assault and related counts. She was ordered held on bail of $75,000 bond or $25,000 cash and to return to court on June 13, 2018. The defendant faces up to 15 years in prison if convicted of the top charge.

The District Attorney said that, according to the investigation, on March 5, 2018, at approximately 12:40 p.m., the defendant was behind the wheel of a Volvo sedan, driving westbound on Ninth Street in Park Slope, Brooklyn, when she stopped at the intersection of Fifth Avenue. While the light was still red, the defendant pressed the accelerator, crossed Fifth Avenue and struck a group of pedestrians who were crossing Ninth Street on the west side of the intersection, according to the investigation. Abigail Blumenstein, 4, and Joshua Lew, 1, died from the impact. Their mothers and another pedestrian suffered injuries. Joshua’s stroller was dragged down the street and the Volvo ultimately struck a parked car and came to a stop.

According to witnesses, the defendant allegedly had her head hanging back when she drove into the intersection. First responders observed her to be foaming from the mouth, confused and unsteady on her feet. She suffered a seizure in the ambulance and again at the hospital, the evidence shows.

The investigation revealed that on January 8, 2018, the defendant had a medical episode while driving her car on Staten Island and was subsequently hospitalized for two days, during which time she suffered a seizure. She was instructed not to drive for one year due to her medical condition upon her discharge and again during follow up appointments on January 16 and February 13, according to the evidence. These instructions were memorialized in her medical charts. Despite that, on January 20 the defendant’s car was allegedly involved in a fender bender on Staten Island and left the scene.

The case was investigated by Detective Steven Horn of the NYPD’s Collision Investigation Squad, under the supervision of Sergeant Alessio Bono.

The case is being prosecuted by Assistant District Attorney Craig Esswein, Chief of the District Attorney’s Vehicular Crimes Unit, and Assistant District Attorney Yasmine Meyer of the District Attorney’s Orange Zone Trial Bureau, under the supervision of Assistant District Attorney Joseph Alexis, Chief of the Trial Division.

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

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Wednesday, May 2, 2018

Brownsville Mother Sentenced to 17 Years in prison for
Fatally Beating her 4-Year-Old Son with a Broomstick

Became Enraged when Boy Dropped Egg on the Floor;
Left Injured Victim inside Large Container Filled with Water

Brooklyn District Attorney Eric Gonzalez today announced that a 28-year-old woman from Brownsville, Brooklyn has been sentenced to 17 years in prison for beating her 4-year-old son, Zamair Coombs, with a broomstick and leaving him to die.

District Attorney Gonzalez said, “Little Zamair was an innocent boy who did not deserve to die. It is truly disturbing that his mother, the person who was supposed to care for his wellbeing and safety, viciously beat him and left him for dead. The defendant has now accepted responsibility for her brutal actions and today’s sentence ensures that she is punished for this crime.”

The District Attorney identified the defendant as Zarah Coombs, 28, of Brownsville, Brooklyn. She was sentenced today by Brooklyn Supreme Court Justice Miriam Cyrulnik to 17 years in state prison and five years’ post-release supervision following her guilty plea last month to first-degree manslaughter and endangering the welfare of a child.

The District Attorney said that, according to the investigation, on January 25, 2017, Zamair, 4, asked his mother for food. When she refused, the boy went to the refrigerator to get something to eat and accidentally dropped an egg on the floor. The defendant became enraged, grabbed a broomstick and beat her son until he lost consciousness. She then placed the victim inside a large Tupperware container that functioned as a tub and was filled with some water, and left him there while she went to breastfeed her newborn.

The defendant’s boyfriend, who had been out of the home, returned at approximately 8:45 p.m., discovered the child unresponsive and called 911. Zamair was taken to Brookdale Hospital where he died hours later. He was covered by more than 30 blunt impact injuries to his head and more than 30 blunt impact injuries to his limbs and torso, according to the evidence. The cause of death was determined to be these multiple blunt impact injuries as well as a brain injury.

The case was prosecuted by Senior Assistant District Attorney Linda Weinman, of the District Attorney’s Special Victims Bureau, under the supervision of Assistant District Attorney Miss Gregory, Bureau Chief.

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Wednesday, May 2, 2018

Defendant Who Operated Shadow Utility Company that Illegally Installed Gas Meters Sentenced to 2 1/3 to 7 Years in State Prison

Masterminded Scheme, Pleaded Guilty to Enterprise Corruption

Brooklyn District Attorney Eric Gonzalez, together with New York City Department of Investigation Commissioner Mark G. Peters, today announced that a former National Grid employee, who became the architect of a shadow utility company that illegally installed gas meters in violation of safety protocols by infiltrating the public utility and corrupting some of its employees, has been sentenced to up to seven years in prison.

District Attorney Gonzalez said, “Today’s sentence holds accountable this defendant who tried to profit from Brooklyn’s booming real estate market by developing this fraudulent scheme to illegally speed up work on properties and violate required safety protocols. Thanks to the hard work of investigators and prosecutors, his potentially dangerous operation was disbanded.”

Commissioner Peters said, “Cutting corners and undermining City construction regulations can result in tragedy. This defendant was the mastermind of a scheme to install illegal gas meters for cash while disregarding safety and the potential for damaging consequences. He is now being punished for his corrupt plan with prison time. DOI thanks the Brooklyn District Attorney’s Office for their prosecution and partnership in this case.”

The District Attorney identified Weldon “Al” Findlay, 48, of Snyder Avenue, Brooklyn, as the mastermind and leader of the enterprise. Findlay, who worked for National Grid until 2010, pleaded guilty to one count of enterprise corruption and one count of falsifying business records last February before Brooklyn Supreme Court Justice Danny Chun, who, in a plea offered by the Court, promised him a term of 2 1/3 to 7 years in state prison, to which he today sentenced the defendant.

The District Attorney said that, according to the guilty plea, the enterprise arranged for the illegal installation of gas meters in exchange for cash at 33 residential properties across Brooklyn, including Williamsburg, Bedford-Stuyvesant, Brooklyn Heights, Bushwick, Crown Heights, Midwood, and Borough Park, in addition to homes in parts of Queens. Findlay formed the enterprise and directed its criminal activities throughout the period covered by the indictment, namely January 12, 2016 to June 30, 2016.

The Department of Buildings and National Grid have inspected every property identified in connection with the investigation, and ensured that there is no risk to public safety.

The District Attorney said that existing protocols required National Grid employees opening accounts (for new or renewed gas service) to check the public Building Information System (BIS) database to confirm that the property had been inspected as required by the New York City Department of Buildings (DOB). A licensed master plumber or a DOB inspector must visit the location and conduct appropriate testing to ensure that gas lines have been properly and safely installed; compliance is indicated by a control number created in the BIS database. A National Grid employee acting properly would check for the BIS number and then include it in the account record before dispatching a technician to install a meter and initiate gas service.

According to the investigation, when a landlord with a new or renovated apartment wanted to avoid either the expense of the required tests, or possible delays associated with compliance, the landlord contacted Findlay, who would arrange for illegal service through his criminal enterprise. Landlords could be confident that National Grid employees setting up the account and providing gas service would violate or ignore any rules or regulations that would prevent or delay the supply of gas.

The case was investigated by DOI, specifically, Assistant Inspectors General Michael Antolini and Noah Mohney; Confidential Investigator Dan Taylor, Deputy Inspector General Edward Zinser and Chief Investigator James McElligott, under the supervision of Inspector General Gregory Cho, Associate Commissioner James J. Flaherty, and First Deputy Commissioner Lesley Brovner.

The District Attorney thanked New York City Department of Investigation Commissioner Mark G. Peters and his staff for their hard work on this case. He also thanked the New York City Department of Buildings and National Grid for their assistance and cooperation in the investigation.

The case was prosecuted by Senior Assistant District Attorney Adam S. Libove of the District Attorney’s Public Integrity Unit, with the assistance of Senior Assistant District Attorney Sara Walshe, Assistant District Attorney Renee Hassel and Assistant District Attorney Katherine Zdrojeski, under the supervision of Assistant District Attorney Michael Spanakos, Unit Chief, and the overall supervision of Assistant District Attorney Patricia McNeill, Deputy Chief of the District Attorney’s Investigations Division and Mark Feldman, Senior Executive Assistant District Attorney for Crime Strategies and Investigations.

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Friday, April 27, 2018

Brooklyn District Attorney’s Office Participates
In Community Outreach During Sexual Assault Awareness Month

Visited Community Events and College Campuses; DA Gonzalez Addressed Students and Faculty at Kingsborough Community College

Brooklyn District Attorney Eric Gonzalez today announced that as Sexual Assault Awareness Month comes to an end, his office is committed to keeping the public safe from sexual assault, particularly the many college students who attend school in Brooklyn, protecting and supporting assault survivors and fostering cooperation among survivors and law enforcement.

District Attorney Gonzalez said, “Sexual Assault Awareness Month is a time to bring awareness to sexual violence in our community. As the DA, and a former Special Victims prosecutor, I know firsthand the challenges facing survivors and am committed year-round to supporting them, offering resources and prosecuting their attackers.”

DA Gonzalez was honored to speak at Kingsborough Community College’s Campaign to End Sexual Violence event yesterday, which focused on a discussion about on and off campus resources and informed students and faculty, through multiple presentations and workshops, of their rights. The leader of the DA’s Campus Sexual Assault Response Initiative, Senior Assistant District Attorney Victoria Nunez, of the DA’s Special Victims Bureau, and Maia Campbell, a social worker in the Office’s Victims Services Unit, were panelists at the event.

The DA’s Campus Sexual Assault Response Initiative, which was implemented by DA Gonzalez in April 2017, has conducted trainings at many campuses across Brooklyn, hosted symposiums, participated in several informational events and met regularly with representatives of the 14 institutions of higher education in Brooklyn and connected them to resources, emphasizing that resources are available whether or not an individual decides to proceed with a criminal prosecution.

Earlier this month, the DA’s office sent representatives to other Sexual Assault Awareness Month events, including a panel hosted by the Greenpoint Sexual Assault Task Force at the Wythe Hotel where KCDA Special Victims Bureau Chief Miss Gregory was among the panelists. Senior ADA Victoria Nunez and Social Worker Maia Campbell represented the office at Boricua College when it hosted a Sexual Violence & Intimate Partner Violence Workshop. Finally, Assistant District Attorney Laura Edidin, Chief of the District Attorney’s Human Trafficking Unit, traveled to Albany this month to meet with legislators and advocate for the strengthening of Human Trafficking laws.

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