Press Releases

Bronx, Brooklyn, Manhattan and Queens District Attorneys Announce
Unprecedented Dismissal of Nearly 700,000 Open Summons Warrants

Staggering Backlog of Open Warrants, More Than 10 Years Old, to be Vacated Next Month Allowing Thousands of New Yorkers to Move on With Their Lives without Fear of Arrest Stemming from Low-Level Warrants Issued More Than a Decade Ago

Bronx District Attorney Darcel D. Clark, Acting Brooklyn District Attorney Eric Gonzalez, New York County District Attorney Cyrus R. Vance Jr., and Queens District Attorney Richard A. Brown today announced that nearly 700,000 summons warrants that are 10 years or older will be vacated in the next few weeks. The warrants in question were issued for failure to pay a ticket for a minor infraction, subjecting individuals to arrest as well as carrying other negative consequences.
Bronx District Attorney Darcel D. Clark said, “By asking the Court to purge these old warrants, we are removing a hindrance to many people’s lives. Those who committed minor offenses a decade ago or longer and have not been in trouble with the law pose no threat to public safety today. These warrants bog down the court system. As a judge, I handled these summonses and I dismissed many of them because they were legally insufficient. The Bronx was ground zero for summonses emanating from questionable stop-and-frisks, so purging the old warrants is a way to not only improve the lives of tens of thousands of Bronx residents but to restore the community’s trust in the criminal justice system.”

Acting Brooklyn District Attorney Gonzalez said, “We have been working in Brooklyn to build trust between law enforcement and the community, and to focus our resources on violent crime. Dismissing these old warrants is an important step in advancing both of these goals. The bulk of these summonses have been issued to mostly poor, Black and Latino individuals, many of whom may not even be aware that they have become open warrants that could trigger an arrest for minor infractions dating back many years. Vacating these warrants enhances public safety and promotes fairness.”

New York County District Attorney Cyrus R. Vance Jr., said, “We continually seek to strike the right balance between fairness and public safety and are confident we will be doing that when we collectively dismiss open summons warrants older than ten years en masse. In Manhattan alone, we estimate that approximately 240,000 summons warrants will be expunged through this effort, giving those New Yorkers a fresh start and a new chance to engage more fully in their communities. I applaud my colleagues in the Queens, Bronx, and Kings County DA’s Offices, as well as OCA, the NYPD, and the City Council, for their work on this issue.”
Queens District Attorney Richard A. Brown said, “The prosecution of thousands of ten year old and older summons part cases would pose serious factual and legal challenges. The NYPD has vetted the list and excluded the most flagrant violators who may still be prosecuted if apprehended. We believe the people of Queens County will be better served by focusing our resources on more serious offenses.”

The dismissal of the warrants poses no risk to public safety as those individuals whose warrants are being dismissed have not been arrested in the past 10 years or their warrants would have been triggered. Furthermore, the warrants stem from summonses issued for minor infractions such as riding a bicycle on the sidewalk, drinking beer in public, disorderly conduct, and being in a park after dark.

There are approximately 1.5 million open summons warrants citywide. These summons warrants, when left unresolved, subject those who have them to an automatic arrest when questioned by police on the street or during a traffic stop. They may also carry a number of negative consequences, including impeding one’s ability to apply for citizenship, to secure employment or obtain public housing, and subject undocumented immigrants to deportation.

Approximately 143,000 warrants will be dismissed in Brooklyn; 166,000 in the Bronx; 240,000 in Manhattan; and approximately 100,000 in Queens.

The warrants will be dismissed in court proceedings in each county next month. The large-scale dismissal of the warrant backlog comes following multiple warrant forgiveness events in Brooklyn (Begin Again); Manhattan (Clean Slate) and the Bronx (Another Chance).

The dismissals follow months of work with the Office of Court Administration, the New York City Police Department and the Mayor’s Office of Criminal Justice.

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Wednesday, July 26, 2017

Two East New York Men Indicted For Sex Trafficking of Philadelphia Teen

Defendants Also Charged with Promoting Prostitution of Eight Others,
Most of whom Were Minors From Out of State

Acting Brooklyn District Attorney Eric Gonzalez today announced that two East New York men have been variously charged in a 39-count indictment with sex trafficking, promoting prostitution, rape, and other charges for allegedly sex trafficking an 18-year-old girl and promoting the prostitution of eight others, ranging in age from 15 to 21 years old.

Acting District Attorney Gonzalez said, “These defendants allegedly preyed on vulnerable young women, luring them to New York City to work as prostitutes – and in several cases drugging and using physical violence against those who refused. I intend to hold them fully accountable for these despicable acts.”

The District Attorney identified the defendants as Jonathan Harris, a.k.a., Jayo, 25, of East New York, Brooklyn, and Tariq Washington, a.k.a., Ricky, 23, also of East New York. Washington was arraigned yesterday before Brooklyn Supreme Court Justice Evelyn Laporte and ordered held on $250,000 bail. Harris was arraigned on Friday, July 21, 2017 before Brooklyn Supreme Court Justice Michael Brennan and ordered held on $250,000 bail. The indictment variously charges them with sex trafficking, second-, third- and fourth-degree promoting prostitution, first-degree rape, second-degree assault, endangering the welfare of a child and related charges. They each face up to 25 years in prison, and would have to register as sex offenders, if convicted of the top count.

The Acting District Attorney said that, according to the investigation, between March 2015 and December 2016, the defendants prostituted nine young women, the majority of whom were ages 15 and 16, in Brooklyn, after luring most of them to the city from out of state, including Philadelphia, Baltimore and Cleveland. The defendants located the women on Backpage.com and it is alleged that they then texted them and invited them to come to New York to be prostituted, sending them bus tickets and then posting their photos on Backpage.com.

It is alleged that the defendants rented several rooms at various motels in Brooklyn and elsewhere, and drove the women to the locations where men paid to have sex with them.

Furthermore, according to the investigation, it is alleged that the defendants gave the girls drugs and physically assaulted them if they refused to work as prostitutes.

The 18-year-old sex trafficking victim had come to Brooklyn with a 17-year-old friend after that girl was allegedly contacted by Washington and lured to Brooklyn. The younger girl left after a few days and returned to Philadelphia. The 18-year-old, who had allegedly been beaten and raped by Harris, escaped and went to the police for help two months later.

The case was investigated by New York City Police Department Detective David Mills and Detective James Rufle of the Human Trafficking Team, Vice Enforcement Division, under the supervision of Sergeant Faoud Zahirudin, Lieutenant Christopher Sharpe and Captain Thomas Milano, and the overall supervision of Inspector James Klein.

KCDA Digital Forensic Analyst Thomas Woodburn assisted in the investigation.

The Acting District Attorney thanked Special Agents from the Federal Bureau of Investigation’s New York, Philadelphia and Baltimore field offices for their assistance in the investigation.

The case is being 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, Unit Chief, and the overall supervision of Assistant District Attorney Miss Gregory, Chief of the Special Victims Bureau.

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

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Wednesday, July 26, 2017

Bedford-Stuyvesant Man Indicted for Murder for
Fatally Stabbing Girlfriend Multiple Times

Acting Brooklyn District Attorney Eric Gonzalez today announced that a 53-year-old Bedford-Stuyvesant man has been charged with murder for fatally stabbing his girlfriend, whose body was found in their apartment with numerous stab wounds.

Acting District Attorney Gonzalez said, “This defendant allegedly committed a brutally violent act against his girlfriend of over seven years. He must now stand to face justice for this horrific crime.”

The Acting District Attorney identified the defendant as Anthony Bradford, 53, of Gates Avenue in Bedford-Stuyvesant, Brooklyn. He was arraigned today before Brooklyn Supreme Court Justice Evelyn LaPorte on one count of second-degree murder and one count of fourth-degree criminal possession of a weapon. The defendant was ordered held without bail and to return to court on September 28, 2017. He faces up to 25 years to life in prison if convicted.

The Acting District Attorney said that, according to the investigation, on the evening of July 2, 2017, between 6:30 and 7:00 p.m., the defendant and the victim, his girlfriend of over seven years, returned home from a barbecue with the defendant’s family on Monroe Street, around the corner from the defendant’s and victim’s apartment. At approximately 11:30 p.m. that night, the defendant returned to his family’s home with blood on his clothes and with cuts on his hands. His family called for an ambulance.

According to the investigation, paramedics soon arrived and began treating the defendant’s wounds, during which, they learned that there was another person injured. At this point, the defendant’s sons directed the paramedics around the corner to the defendant’s building on Gates Avenue. There the paramedics found a trail of blood from the main door all the way up to the fourth floor apartment where the defendant and the victim lived. When the paramedics entered the apartment, they found the victim in the bedroom in a pool of blood with multiple stab wounds to her chest, shoulders and arms. She was taken to the hospital where she was pronounced dead.

The defendant was arrested a short time later in front of his family’s home on Monroe Street.

The case was investigated by New York City Police Department Detective Willie Johnson, of the 79th Precinct Detective Squad and Detective Alexander Grandstaff, of the Brooklyn North Homicide Squad.

The case is being prosecuted by Senior Assistant District Attorney Sabeeha Madni, of the District Attorney’s Domestic Violence Bureau, under the supervision of Assistant District Attorney Michelle Kaminsky, Bureau Chief.

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

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Tuesday, July 25, 2017

Former Employee of Williamsburg Pharmacy and Wife Indicted
For Stealing $3.7 million from Owners in Eight-year Embezzlement Scheme

Took Advantage of Sick Absentee Owners; Opened Fraudulent Business Accounts, Deposited Insurance Money and Used it for Travel, Mortgages and other Personal Expenses

Acting Brooklyn District Attorney Eric Gonzalez today announced that a Queens husband and wife have been indicted on charges of grand larceny, criminal possession of a forged instrument, falsifying business records and identity theft for allegedly stealing nearly $3.7 million over eight years from the sick absentee owners of a Williamsburg pharmacy where the husband worked. The defendants allegedly deposited insurance payments to the pharmacy into fraudulent accounts they had created and spent the money on a wide range of personal expenses.

Acting District Attorney Gonzalez said, “These defendants allegedly committed a theft not only on a huge scale – amounting to almost $3.7 million over eight years – but also in a reprehensible manner, taking advantage of their seriously ill employers who had entrusted them with the family business. With today’s indictment, we plan to hold the defendants fully accountable for their shameful acts.”

The Acting District Attorney identified the defendants as Jorge Vergara, 43, and his wife, Vanhia Narvaez, 44, both of Jackson Heights, Queens. The defendants were arraigned today before Brooklyn Supreme Court Justice Evelyn LaPorte on one count of first-degree grand larceny, four counts of second-degree criminal possession of a forged instrument, four counts of first-degree falsifying business records and four counts of first-degree identity theft. The defendants were ordered held on $2.5 million bail and to return to court on September 6, 2017. They face up to 25 years in prison if convicted of the top count with which they are charged.

The Acting District Attorney said that, according to the indictment, in 2007, Rafael Abreu, the owner of Gardner’s Pharmacy, located at 371 Broadway in Williamsburg, Brooklyn, became severely ill and unable to run the business. Soon after, in April of that year, Power of Attorney was granted to Abreu’s daughter, Gloria Adorno, making her Principal of Gardner’s Pharmacy. Adorno, however, was becoming increasingly responsible for the care of her father and decided to leave much of the pharmacy’s operation to defendant Vergara, the pharmacy’s long-time manager. Soon, Adorno became ill herself, and Vergara took over all day-to-day operation of the business.

The Acting District Attorney said that, according to the indictment, the defendants allegedly used the money for a range of personal expenses, including payments on personal credit card bills, auto loans, school tuition, mortgages, checks to their personal accounts and extensive domestic travel, to casinos and numerous vacation destinations around the country, including Disney World. The defendants even used the money to help finance a competing pharmacy that Vergara opened on the same block as Gardner’s Pharmacy.

According to the indictment, starting in February 2008, shortly after Vergara took over regular operation of the business, and continuing over the course of approximately eight years, the defendants allegedly used the identity of Gardner’s Pharmacy, as well as forged New York State Department of State documents, to open four fraudulent business checking accounts in Gardner’s Pharmacy’s name – all without the permission and authority of Abreu or Adorno. Over that time, the defendants allegedly deposited 934 checks made out to Gardner’s Pharmacy, totaling $3,697,399.35, into these accounts. These checks were insurance company payments to Gardner’s Pharmacy, resulting from prescription medications customers bought at the pharmacy using their health insurance.

The Acting District Attorney said that, according to the indictment, the defendants allegedly opened the first fraudulent account in February 2008 at Commerce Bancorp (now TD bank), which they opened by Vergara misrepresenting himself as President of Gardner’s Pharmacy Inc. The defendants deposited $426,588.70 in insurance checks made out to Gardner’s Pharmacy Inc. into this account between February 2008 and June 2009, withdrawing all but approximately $12,000. In June 2009, the defendants allegedly opened a second account, with Everbank, this time forging Abreu’s signature. They deposited and withdrew at least $1,706,517.20 in insurance checks via this account between June 2009 and November 2012. The next month, in December 2012, the defendants allegedly opened a third account, at Bank of Internet, again forging Abreu’s signature and going on to deposit and withdraw $628,562.31 until March 2014. Finally, in May 2014, the defendants opened a fourth account, at Flushing Bank, forging Abreu’s signature on documents. The defendants deposited $935,731.14 into the account until November 2015, with withdrawals continuing until the account was virtually empty in March 2016.

According to the indictment, Adorno was alerted to the alleged embezzlement sometime after Vergara resigned from the pharmacy. At this point, as Adorno was spending more time managing the business, she began to notice mail and other documents from banks she didn’t recognize.

The case was investigated by New York City Police Department Detective Kenneth Giallanza, of the 90th Precinct Detectives Squad.

The case was also investigated by Supervising Financial Investigator Deborah Wey, of the District Attorney’s Investigations Division.

The case is being prosecuted by Assistant District Attorney James Mariani, with the assistance of Assistant District Attorney Cooper Gorrie, both of the District Attorney’s Cyber Crimes Unit, under the supervision of Assistant District Attorney Dana Roth, Deputy Chief of the Frauds Bureau, and the overall supervision of Assistant District Attorney Patricia McNeill, Deputy Chief of the Investigations Division.

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

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Monday, July 24, 2017

Man who Raped and Robbed Sex Worker in Borough Park
Sentenced to 20 Years in Prison

Defendant and Second Man Duct Taped Victim, Who Was Then Raped and Robbed

Acting Brooklyn District Attorney Eric Gonzalez today announced that a 30-year-old Brooklyn man was sentenced to 20 years in prison for a violent attack in which he assaulted, raped and robbed a woman inside of an apartment. A second man has also been convicted in connection with the case.

Acting District Attorney Gonzalez said, “This defendant ruthlessly and viciously attacked a vulnerable woman, knowing that she would be an easy target. He has now been held accountable and will serve many years in prison.”

The Acting District Attorney identified the defendant as Robert Hernandez, 30, of Brooklyn. He was convicted on June 12, 2017 of first-degree rape, first-degree robbery, first-degree burglary and second-degree assault following a jury trial. He was sentenced today by Brooklyn Supreme Court Justice Joanne Quinones to 20 years in prison and 20 years’ post-release supervision.

The Acting District Attorney said that, according to trial testimony, on July 13, 2015, at about 3:15 p.m., the defendant, Robert Hernandez, arrived at an apartment on 51st Street in Borough Park, for a scheduled appointment with a 52-year-old sex worker who he had seen previously. The victim let him into the apartment, and then Hernandez let in another man, his co-defendant, Joel Lopez, 29.

Hernandez then pushed the woman to the floor, and he and Lopez duct taped her hands and feet and mouth and removed her underwear. Hernandez threatened to set her on fire if she didn’t stop struggling. They moved her to the bed and Hernandez raped her while Lopez held her legs above her head.

The defendants then stole two cell phones, a laptop and cash from the victim and fled. The victim then called her escort service, which called police. Both defendants were arrested three months later, following an investigation.

Lopez pleaded guilty to first-degree burglary on April 19, 2017 and was sentenced to 12 years in prison on May 11, 2017.

The case was prosecuted by Senior Assistant District Attorney Gwen Barnes and Assistant District Attorney Elizabeth Payne, both of the District Attorney’s Special Victims Bureau, under the supervision of Assistant District Attorney Miss Gregory, Chief.

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Monday, July 17, 2017

Coney Island Man Indicted for Killing his 16-Month-Old Daughter

Child Suffered Fractured Skull and Swelling of Brain;
Defendant Assaulted Mother as she Took Unresponsive Victim from his Home

Acting Brooklyn District Attorney Eric Gonzalez today announced that a 19-year-old man from Coney Island has been indicted on murder, assault and other charges for causing the death of his 16-month-old daughter, Nylah Lewis. He was previously charged with assault and charges were upgraded following the child’s death.

Acting District Attorney Gonzalez said, “This father was supposed to protect his innocent baby daughter but instead he allegedly violently and senselessly took her life and then assaulted her mother when she tried to come to her rescue. I intend to hold him fully accountable for this unspeakable crime.”

The Acting District Attorney identified the defendant as Shaquan Taylor, 19, of Coney Island, Brooklyn. The defendant was arraigned today before Brooklyn Supreme Court Justice Vincent Del Giudice on a 10-count indictment charging him with second-degree murder, first-degree manslaughter, first- and second-degree assault and other charges. He was ordered held without bail and to return to court on July 27, 2017. The defendant faces up to 25 years to life in prison if convicted of the top count.

The Acting District Attorney said that, according to the investigation, the defendant took custody of his daughter Nylah starting on June 16, 2017. On June 18, Father’s Day, he contacted the toddler’s 17-year-old mother via Facebook Messenger and asked her to pick Nylah up from his West 32nd Street home.

The mother found the child unresponsive and told the defendant to call 911, but he refused, the investigation found. The mother took Nylah out of the apartment and the defendant allegedly struck her, handed the child to a bystander and continued to assault the mother, who had an order of protection against him based on a previous incident, according to the indictment.

Nylah sustained a linear skull fracture and swelling of the brain, as well as swelling and bruising to the face and body. She was on life support in Maimonides Medical Center until June 23, 2017, when she succumbed to her injuries and died. The mother sustained cuts and swelling to her eye.

When interviewed by detectives, the defendant claimed that Nylah fell from the bed. Her injuries are allegedly inconsistent with such a fall.

The case is being prosecuted by Senior Assistant District Attorney Victoria Nunez, of the Brooklyn District Attorney’s Special Victim’s Bureau, and Assistant District Attorney Kelly Casey, Deputy Bureau Chief, under the overall supervision of Assistant District Attorney Miss Gregory, Chief.

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

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Tuesday, July 11, 2017

Brooklyn Man Sentenced to 40 Years to Life in Prison for
Fatally Shooting Man Multiple Times in East Flatbush

Defendant Shot Victim in Lobby While Three Women and A Baby Were Present;
Apprehended Days Later in Possession of Loaded Gun

Acting Brooklyn District Attorney Eric Gonzalez today announced that a 23-year-old Brooklyn man has been sentenced to 40 years to life in prison for killing a man in an East Flatbush building and for possessing a loaded firearm. The defendant shot the victim multiple times at close range in the lobby while three women and a baby in a stroller were also present.

Acting District Attorney Gonzalez said, “This defendant wanted to settle a score and shot the victim multiple times, disregarding the safety of innocent bystanders. He will now spend many years in prison for this senseless act of violence that took a man’s life.”

The Acting District Attorney identified the defendant as Keron Lynch, 23, of Crown Heights, Brooklyn. He was sentenced today by Brooklyn Supreme Court Justice Deborah Dowling to 40 years to life in prison following his conviction last month of second-degree murder and two counts of second-degree criminal possession of a weapon after a jury trial.

The Acting District Attorney said that, according to trial testimony, on April 15, 2015, at approximately 10:40 a.m., at 139 East 53rd Street in East Flatbush, Brooklyn, the defendant shot Daniel Weir in the lobby of the building. Weir, 29, had been lured to the lobby of the residential building by a phone call. The defendant shot Weir with a .40 caliber gun, hitting him eight times in the torso and once in the right arm. He continued shooting while the victim was on the ground. At the time of the shooting, there were three women with a baby in a stroller in the lobby.

The victim was transported to Kings County Hospital where he was pronounced dead.

When interviewed by detectives, the defendant said the victim was responsible for sending two masked men to rob him at gunpoint two weeks before.

On April 26, 2015, police officers responded to a ShotSpotter alert near Howard Avenue and Saint John’s Place in East Flatbush, where they found the defendant who had been shot in the leg and foot. The defendant said he exchanged fire with another man, and dropped the gun under a parked car. Police recovered a .40 caliber gun under a car, and a ballistics report later matched it to the Weir shooting.

The case was prosecuted by Senior Assistant District Attorney Olatokunbo Olaniyan, of the District Attorney’s Homicide Bureau, and Assistant District Attorney Artur Jagielski, of the District Attorney’s Special Victims Bureau, under the supervision of Assistant District Attorney Timothy Gough, Homicide Bureau Chief.

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Thursday, July 6, 2017

Crime in Brooklyn Continued to Drop in First Half of 2017,
Outpacing Last Year’s Record Low Numbers

Double-Digit Declines in Murders, Shootings and Shooting Victims;
Decreases in Nearly All Other Crime Categories

Acting Brooklyn District Attorney Eric Gonzalez today announced that Brooklyn continued to experience major declines in crime during the first half of 2017, outpacing statistics from 2016, which was the safest year since record keeping began. There were double-digit drops in shooting incidents, shooting victims and homicides, as well as decreases in nearly all other crime categories, according to the latest statistics compiled by the New York City Police Department.

Acting District Attorney Gonzalez said, “I am very proud that crime has continued to plummet so rapidly in Brooklyn, a trend that shows that the targeted approach employed by the NYPD and my Office in fighting violent crime is working. It is also proof that we can implement criminal justice reforms while still enhancing public safety. We have launched innovative new programs to reduce reliance on bail, to protect immigrants and to divert low-level offenders from incarceration as we continue to drive down violence and improve the quality of life in all parts of Brooklyn.”

The Acting District Attorney said that 50 murders were recorded in Brooklyn so far in 2017. That figure is down 11 murders (18%) compared to this time last year and is on track for the fewest in the borough’s history (there were 128 murders in 2016 and 122 in 2014, the lowest year on record). There were 32 fewer shooting incidents compared to this time last year (a total of 136, down 19.2%) and 48 fewer shooting victims (a total of 155, down 23.7%).

Like in 2016, Brooklyn was the only borough to register declines in all three categories over this time period and the percent decreases outpaced the impressive citywide declines except for homicides, where the citywide drop was 21.6%. [All statistics are as of June 30, 2017, according to CompStat analysis]. It is notable that seven of the 50 murders are reclassified homicides that took place in previous years, meaning the number of murders actually committed during the first half of 2017 in Brooklyn stands at 43 (there were three reclassified homicides in all of 2016).

In addition, the Total Index Crime in Brooklyn (representing the seven major felony crimes) is down 4.5% for the year so far with declines in all categories except for rape (two additional reported incidents or a .9% uptick compared to this time last year).

In the past few years, the Brooklyn District Attorney’s Office has increased its focus on the drivers of crime – individuals responsible for most of the shootings – and has partnered with the NYPD on a number of initiatives to reduce violent crime. Those include the work of the Crime Strategies Unit that keeps track of known gang members and other drivers of violence; long-term investigations by the Violent Criminal Enterprises Bureau, together with the NYPD, to target all criminal activities by gangs and to stop weapons traffickers; creation of the Firearms Prosecution Unit, which operates in the only Expedited Firearms Court in the city with the goal of prosecuting gun possession cases faster and more efficiently in Brooklyn; and other initiatives.

So far in 2017, The Brooklyn DA’s Office established the Public Housing Crime Suppression Unit to help drive down crime in housing developments by using data-driven intelligence and working with resident associations, community members, NYCHA and the NYPD. A Cold Case Unit was also created to investigate unsolved homicides and a DNA expert was hired to assist in this effort and to help in forensic analyses in other cases, including those involving guns and shootings.

Together with the focus on violent crime, the DA’s Office has been implementing numerous criminal justice reforms, including a change in its bail policy under which no bail is requested for nearly all misdemeanors and a new policy to protect non-citizen defendants by considering collateral immigration consequences of convictions with the assistance of two newly-hired immigration attorneys. The Office also previously announced that it will soon launch a program to allow certain drug-dependent defendants to be sent to treatment in lieu of prosecution, an innovative approach that will keep these offenders from ever setting foot in a courtroom and provide them with necessary help.

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Wednesday, July 5, 2017

Bedford-Stuyvesant Man Sentenced to 31 Years in Prison for Robbing
Four Women at Gunpoint in Windsor Terrace and Kensington

Defendant Followed Victims Walking Alone at Night;
Pistol-whipped One Victim before Robbing Her

Acting Brooklyn District Attorney Eric Gonzalez announced today that a 31-year-old Bedford-Stuyvesant man has been sentenced to 31 years in prison for a spree of armed robberies over a nine-day period in Windsor Terrace and Kensington, during which he robbed four women at gunpoint, including one whom he pistol-whipped in the head.

Acting District Attorney Gonzalez said, “For more than a week, this defendant preyed upon vulnerable women walking alone at night, robbing and terrorizing them at gunpoint. Such cowardly acts of violence have no place on the streets of Brooklyn. Today’s sentence ensures that this defendant will be off of our streets and in prison for a very long time.”

The Acting District Attorney identified the defendant as Justin Farrow, 31, of Bedford-Stuyvesant, Brooklyn. He was sentenced today by Brooklyn Supreme Court Justice Deborah Dowling to 31 years in prison and five years’ post-release supervision. The defendant was convicted of four counts of first-degree robbery, second-degree criminal possession of a weapon, second-degree assault and three counts of fifth-degree criminal possession of stolen property following a jury trial in May.

The Acting District Attorney said that, according to trial testimony, in four separate incidents between August 20 and August 29, 2015, the defendant robbed four women who were walking alone at night in Windsor Terrace and Kensington, Brooklyn. The defendant committed all of the robberies in a similar fashion, approaching his victims – in most cases from behind – brandishing a silver handgun, stealing property and telling his victims to walk away and not look back. After each robbery, according to video surveillance, the defendant entered the Fort Hamilton Parkway subway station using a MetroCard he stole from his first victim.  The robberies occurred as follows:

• On August 20, 2015, at approximately 2:15 a.m., at the corner of Caton Avenue and East 7^th Street, the defendant approached a 58-year-old woman from behind, brandished a silver handgun and demanded her purse and phone. When the victim did not immediately comply, the defendant threatened her with his gun, at which point the victim surrendered her property, including a monthly MetroCard, which was registered to her. The defendant then fled to the Fort Hamilton Parkway subway station, where he used the recently stolen MetroCard. According to video surveillance, he was wearing a multi-colored shirt with a fleur-de-lis pattern.
• On August 23, 2015, at approximately 1:30 a.m., in front of 115 East 4^th Street, the defendant approached a 35-year-old woman from behind, brandished his gun and demanded her bag and phone. The victim surrendered the items and the defendant fled to the subway station where, according to video surveillance, he was again wearing the same distinct shirt.
• On August 27, 2015, at approximately 12:45 a.m., at the corner of Ocean Parkway and Caton Avenue, the defendant approached a 28-year-old woman from behind, brandished a gun and demanded her property. When the victim did not immediately comply, the defendant hit her repeatedly with the butt of the gun, causing injuries to her ear, head and hand. The victim surrendered her property, including a tote bag, and the defendant fled to the subway station.
• On August 29, 2015, shortly before 11:30 p.m., near 19th Street and Sealy Street, the victim, a 20-year-old woman, passed the defendant on the street as they walked in opposite directions. After passing, unbeknownst to the victim, the defendant turned and began to follow her. A few minutes later, at approximately 11:30 p.m., the defendant approached the victim from behind, removed a gun from a duffel bag and put the gun to her ribs, demanding she surrender her property. The defendant then physically searched the victim and proceeded to steal her cellphone and a MetroCard. The defendant used his gun to push the victim away and ordered her not to look back. He then fled and entered the Fort Hamilton Parkway subway station, once again wearing the same multi-colored, patterned shirt.

The Acting District Attorney said that, according to trial testimony, a few days later, on September 4, 2015, at approximately 11 p.m., a man who had witnessed the defendant fleeing on August 29 saw the defendant near Vanderbilt Street and Prospect Park Southwest and called 911. Responding New York City Police Department officers chased and quickly arrested the defendant, but not before he removed a plastic bag containing an object from a duffel bag he was carrying and threw it over a nearby fence. The officers recovered the bag, which contained a loaded silver .9 millimeter handgun registered to the defendant.

The defendant also was in possession of MetroCards belonging to three of his victims, including the card he stole on August 20 and used to enter the subway after each robbery. Further, at the time of arrest, the defendant was wearing a multi-colored shirt with a fleur-de-lis pattern, virtually identical to the shirt he was wearing following three of the robberies.

The case was prosecuted by Senior Assistant District Attorney Jacob Uriel and Assistant District Attorney Eva Oginar, of the District Attorney’s Trial Bureau Grey Zone, under the supervision of Assistant District Attorney Danielle Eaddy, Chief.

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Monday, July 3, 2017

Flatbush Man Indicted for Assault as a Hate Crime for Allegedly Beating Woman Unconscious on Subway Train

Faces Up To 15 Years in Prison

Acting Brooklyn District Attorney Eric Gonzalez announced today that a 27-year-old man has been indicted on charges of assault as a hate crime, and other offenses for allegedly punching a woman in the face and knocking her unconscious while shouting homophobic slurs on a Brooklyn-bound Q train.

Acting District Attorney Gonzalez said, “Brooklyn is a model of inclusion and diversity where bias and bigotry will not be tolerated. This defendant’s alleged actions were an attack on everyone’s right to be who they are, and to love whom they choose. He will now be held accountable for this alleged attack that left a woman unconscious.”

The Acting District Attorney identified the defendant as Antoine Thomas, 27, of Flatbush, Brooklyn. He was arraigned today before Brooklyn Supreme Court Justice Neil Firetog on an indictment in which he is charged with second-degree assault as a hate crime, third-degree assault as a hate crime and other related offenses. He is due back in court on September 8, 2017 and faces up to 15 years in prison if convicted of the top count.

The Acting District Attorney said that, according to the investigation, on May 20, 2017, at approximately 7:30 p.m., the defendant boarded a Brooklyn-bound Q train at Union Square, and sat next to the victim and her girlfriend. The defendant, it is alleged, began shouting anti-gay slurs at the victim and her female companion regarding their sexual orientation. During the train ride the defendant continued shouting at the couple, and at one point aggressively bumped into the victim when the train made a sudden stop. The defendant then allegedly punched the victim in the face as the train arrived at the Dekalb Avenue station in Downtown Brooklyn.

The defendant attempted to leave the train by walking between cars, but was arrested at the station after the conductor called the police.

The unconscious victim was taken to New York Presbyterian Hospital where she was treated for a concussion, nasal fracture, a contusion and eye lacerations requiring eight stitches.

The case was investigated by New York City Police Department Detective John Hidalgo and Detective Juan Espaillat of the Hate Crimes Task Force.

The case is being prosecuted by Assistant District Attorney T. Peter Choi, of the District Attorney’s Civil Rights Bureau, under the supervision of Assistant District Attorney Kelli M. Muse, Deputy Bureau Chief, and the overall 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