Press Releases

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Monday, January 9, 2017

 

Manhattan Man Sentenced to 20 Years in Prison for
Killing Acquaintance in Williamsburg

Purchased Two Knives after Argument, Returned and Stabbed Victim, Severing Femoral Artery

Acting Brooklyn District Attorney Eric Gonzalez today announced that a 59-year-old man from upper Manhattan was sentenced to 20 years in state prison for fatally stabbing another man in 2011. After a verbal argument, the defendant went to a store, purchased two kitchen knives, returned to the scene of the dispute, and stabbed the victim in the thigh, leaving him bleeding to death.

Acting District Attorney Gonzalez said, “The victim was a loving father, just one week from walking his daughter down the aisle at her wedding. He had the great misfortune to encounter this defendant, who stabbed him to death after a meaningless argument. The defendant’s taking of human life over something so trivial is unconscionable, and we are all well served by the lengthy sentence imposed today.”

The Acting District Attorney identified the defendant as Ramon Escobar, 59, of Inwood, Manhattan. He was sentenced today by Brooklyn Supreme Court Justice Matthew Sciarrino to 20 years in prison and five years’ post-release supervision following his conviction on November 17, 2016 of first-degree manslaughter and fourth-degree criminal possession of a weapon after a jury trial.

The Acting District Attorney said that, according to trial testimony, on the night of April 29, 2011, at the corner of South 9th Street and Roebling Street in Williamsburg, the defendant and the victim, 46-year-old David Fernandez, got into an argument after the defendant accused the victim of making inappropriate contact with Escobar’s girlfriend. The defendant was heard saying “I am going to kill him” before being ushered away from the scene; his girlfriend headed into a nearby subway station.

The defendant walked to the Crazy Loco 99 Cent store at 281 Broadway and purchased two 8-inch kitchen knives, the evidence showed. He then returned to the scene and began a struggle with Fernandez, during which he stabbed him in the left thigh. The six-inch wound pierced the bone and severed major blood vessels, including the femoral artery and vein, causing profuse and fatal bleeding.

The victim, who worked as a bike messenger, had two daughters, one of whom was set to get married the following week.

The defendant was arrested in April 2015, after an eyewitness came forward, and was connected to the crime through DNA, surveillance videos and other evidence.

The case was prosecuted by Senior Assistant District Attorney Chow Xie and Assistant District Attorney Michael Solomon of the District Attorney’s Trial Bureau, Grey Zone, under the supervision of Assistant District Attorney Timothy Gough, Bureau Chief.

#

 

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Wednesday, January 4, 2017

 

Brooklyn Man Sentenced to 23 Years to Life for Fatally Shooting Man
Following Argument in East Flatbush Bodega

Defendant Shot at Victim Eight Times in Broad Daylight

Acting Brooklyn District Attorney Eric Gonzalez today announced that a 31-year-old Flatbush man has been sentenced to 23 years to life in prison for fatally shooting a 42-year-old East Flatbush man following a dispute inside a bodega. The defendant fired eight times, striking the victim once in the back.

Acting District Attorney Gonzalez said, “This defendant fired off a barrage of bullets in broad daylight and only by sheer luck no one else was injured on that busy street. He has now been held accountable for senselessly taking a man’s life.”

The Acting District Attorney identified the defendant as Herman Lancaster, 31, of Flatbush, Brooklyn. He was sentenced today by Brooklyn Supreme Court Justice Danny Chun to 23 years to life in prison following his conviction last month on one count of second-degree murder and two counts of second-degree criminal possession of a weapon after a non-jury trial.

The Acting District Attorney said that, according to trial testimony, on January 27, 2015, at approximately 2:40 p.m., the defendant shot and killed Kerwin Craigwell, 42, outside of the Adrian Deli & Grocery, located at 2073 Nostrand Avenue in East Flatbush, following a dispute. The shooting started inside the store and the unarmed victim was struck on the sidewalk after slipping on snow, the evidence showed. The defendant was apprehended minutes after the incident during a canvass of the area and identified by an eyewitness.

The case was prosecuted by Senior Assistant District Attorney Lewis E. Lieberman, of the District Attorney’s Homicide Bureau, and Assistant District Attorney Joy Kieras, of the District Attorney’s Trial Bureau, Gray Zone, under the supervision of Assistant District Attorney Kenneth Taub, Homicide Chief.

#

 

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Thursday, December 29, 2016

 

Brooklyn is set to Finish 2016 as the Safest Year Ever

Fewest Shooting Incidents and Shooting Victims in Recorded History;
Second-lowest Number of Murders; Drops in Nearly All Other Crime Categories

Acting Brooklyn District Attorney Eric Gonzalez today announced that 2016 will end as the safest year in Brooklyn’s history, with the fewest number of shootings and shooting victims and second-fewest number of homicides since record-keeping began, according to the latest statistics compiled by the New York City Police Department.

Acting District Attorney Gonzalez said, “It is extremely gratifying to end the year with significant declines in nearly all crime categories, including murders and shootings. This historic achievement is a testament to the hard work and cooperation between the District Attorney’s Office and the NYPD and our joint crime reduction initiatives, including focus on specific individuals who drive crime, long-term gang investigations and targeting of firearm traffickers. While these year-end statistics are encouraging, more needs to be done and I remain committed to making Brooklyn an even safer and better place for all of its residents.”

The Acting District Attorney said that 127 murders were recorded in Brooklyn in 2016. That figure is down 15 murders (10.6%) compared to last year and represents the second fewest homicides ever recorded in a single year, following 2014, when 122 murders were committed. There were 61 fewer shooting incidents compared to 2015 (a total of 407, down 13%) and 75 fewer shooting victims (a total of 492, down 13.2%). These percent decreases outpaced the citywide declines during 2016 and Brooklyn was the only borough to register declines in all three categories over the past year. [All statistics are as of December 25, 2016, according to CompStat analysis].

In addition, the Total Index Crime in Brooklyn (representing the seven major felony crimes) is down 9.5% compared to last year, with decreases in all categories except felony assault (1.1% uptick). Significantly, burglaries were down 25% and robberies were down 14.4% compared to 2015.

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 violence – while expanding alternatives to incarceration for youth charged with non-violent offenses. It has also partnered with the NYPD on a number of initiatives to reduce violent crime. Those include:

• Establishing and expanding the Crime Strategies Unit to keep track of known gang members and other drivers of violence in order to keep them off the streets and to identify “hotspots,” or areas that experience an increase in violence, to proactively address them. The Unit also works with the NYPD to identify subjects of investigations to reduce gang and criminal activity.
• Long-term investigations by the Violent Criminal Enterprises Bureau, together with the NYPD, to target all criminal activities by gangs (including shootings, robberies and financial fraud) and to stop weapons traffickers, particularly those who transport firearms from out of state into Brooklyn.
• Creating 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.
• Bi-weekly teleconferences with NYPD officials, including Commanding Officers, Chiefs and an Assistant Commissioner, regarding all firearm arrests in Brooklyn for that period to ensure appropriate enhancements and aggressive prosecution.
• Participation in the NYPD’s CeaseFire program, an anti-violence outreach initiative aimed at reaching and educating high-risk individuals in an effort to change behavior and community norms.
• Establishing the Young Adult Court Bureau to handle most misdemeanor defendants ages 16 to 24, offering need-risk assessment, counseling, vocational and educational programs with the aim of reducing recidivism and enhancing public safety.

#

 

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Wednesday, December 21, 2016

 

Brooklyn Man Indicted for Murder of Williamsburg Landlord
During Botched Robbery and Kidnapping

He and Two Other Defendants Also Indicted for Conspiracy

Acting Brooklyn District Attorney Eric Gonzalez, together with New York City Police Commissioner James P. O’Neill, today announced a new indictment in the 2014 abduction and murder of Williamsburg landlord Menachem Stark. A 38-year-old Brooklyn man has been indicted for murder and kidnapping, while he and two co-defendants have also been indicted for conspiracy.

Acting District Attorney Gonzalez said, “This indictment is the latest step in our journey toward justice for Menachem Stark, his seven children and the rest of the family his killers took him from. The tireless work of NYPD investigators and prosecutors from my Office will ensure that all involved in this grievous crime are held to answer for their despicable acts. ”

Commissioner O’Neill said, “This was an especially callous crime, where the defendants acted on a desire for money alone. When the robbery led to the victim’s death, the defendants conspired to dump the body and set it on fire in a failed attempt to obstruct justice. I’m thankful to the members of the NYPD and the Brooklyn DA’s office who conducted the investigation that led to today’s indictment.”

The Acting District Attorney identified the defendants as Erskin Felix, 38, and his brother, Kendall Felix, 28, both of Crown Heights, Brooklyn; and cousin Irvine Henry, 35, also of Crown Heights. Kendall Felix and Irvine Henry were arraigned today before Brooklyn Supreme Court Justice Danny Chun on an indictment in which they are variously charged with second- and fourth- degree conspiracy, tampering with physical evidence, attempted tampering with physical evidence and first-degree hindering prosecution. They were remanded without bail and ordered to return to court on February 8, 2017. Erskin Felix will be arraigned later today on charges of second-degree murder and first- and second-degree kidnapping. He faces up to 25 years to life in prison if convicted of the top count of murder. Kendall Felix and Irvine Henry face up to 25 years in prison if convicted of the top count of second-degree conspiracy.

A jury has already convicted Kendel Felix, Erskin’s cousin, of first-degree kidnapping and second-degree murder in the case; he was arrested in April 2014 and tried in September 2016. He is awaiting sentencing and faces up to 25 years to life in prison.

The Acting District Attorney said that, according to the investigation, cousins Erskin and Kendel Felix accosted Stark on the street as he left his office, located at 331 Rutledge Street in Williamsburg, on January 2, 2014, at approximately 11:30 p.m. After he fought unsuccessfully to escape, Stark was forced into a waiting vehicle and driven away from the location. Kendall and Henry allegedly joined their relatives. At some point, apparently while being restrained, Stark died of asphyxia.

According to the investigation, Erskin Felix, who was in the construction trade with Kendel Felix and Irvine Henry, had done work for Stark. Erskin Felix allegedly planned to extort money from Stark and enlisted Kendel Felix to help kidnap him, forming a conspiracy which also involved both Kendall Felix and Irvine Henry.

Upon discovering that Stark was dead, the four relatives allegedly returned to Rutledge Street, intending to retrieve physical evidence and dispose of Stark’s body. Upon arrival, Erskin and Irvine Henry got out of the vehicle, only to find the crime scene already flooded with police. As alleged, Erskin then directed Kendel and Kendall to go elsewhere to dispose of the body. They drove to Nassau County, threw the body in a dumpster and set it on fire.

Approximately 17 hours later, a Nassau County police officer found Stark’s partially burned body in a garbage dumpster behind a gas station in Great Neck, Long Island. The Nassau County Medical Examiner’s Office conducted an autopsy on Stark and determined that the cause of death was asphyxia by compression of the neck and chest.

The case was investigated by New York City Police Detective Christopher Scarry of the 90th Precinct Detective Squad, under the supervision of Lieutenant Seamus Doherty, and Detective Matthew Collins (retired), Detective Herbert Martin, Detective Albert Brust and other members of the Brooklyn North Homicide Squad, under the supervision of Lieutenant John Tennant.

The case is being prosecuted by Assistant District Attorney Howard Jackson, Counsel to the Homicide Bureau, and Senior Assistant District Attorney Emily Dean, of the District Attorney’s Homicide Bureau, under the supervision of Kenneth Taub, Chief of the Homicide Bureau, and by Assistant District Attorney Christopher Blank, a Bureau Chief in the District Attorney’s Investigations Division.

#

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

 

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Monday, December 19, 2016

 

East New York Man Sentenced to 23 Years to Life in Prison for
Murdering His Mother Amidst Family Dispute

Victim was to Meet with Authorities Regarding
Alleged Crime Defendant Committed against another Relative

Acting Brooklyn District Attorney Eric Gonzalez today announced that a 31-year-old East New York man was sentenced to 23 years to life in prison for killing his mother before she could meet with representative of the Brooklyn District Attorney’s Office regarding a crime the defendant allegedly committed against a relative.

Acting District Attorney Gonzalez said, “This defendant killed his own mother to prevent her from reporting him to law enforcement authorities. His reprehensible conduct has torn a family apart and he deserves the lengthy sentence that was imposed today.”

The Acting District Attorney identified the defendant as Apollo Hernandez, 31, of East New York, Brooklyn. He was sentenced today to 23 years to life in prison by Brooklyn Supreme Court Justice Neil Firetog. The defendant was convicted of second-degree murder following a jury trial last month.

The Acting District Attorney said that, according to trial testimony, on December 17, 2014, at approximately 6:30 p.m., the victim, Ruth Maceira, 48, was home alone when the defendant, her eldest son, arrived at her Bushwick apartment. At approximately 10 p.m., the defendant repeatedly beat his mother with a metal statue and used a kitchen knife to slit her throat. As he fled, the defendant left a trail of bloody footprints, including sneaker treads, leading from the victim’s fourth floor apartment to the front door of the building, according to the evidence.

On December 20, 2014, emergency personnel were called to the victim’s apartment by a concerned relative who was unable to reach the victim. According to testimony and text messages, the victim was planning to confront the defendant regarding allegations that the defendant committed a felony offense against a younger family member, a crime that was disclosed by the younger family member earlier that year. The victim was also scheduled to meet with Brooklyn prosecutors about that matter the week following the murder.

The victim died as a result of an incised wound to the neck, according to the Medical Examiner.

When the defendant was arrested, the bottom tread of the sneakers he was wearing appeared melted. The evidence showed that melted rubber was found on the defendant’s stove after his apparent attempt to avoid being linked to the treads at the crime scene. In addition, police found a pair of jeans cut into pieces and soaking in a bucket of cleaning fluid in his apartment.

Surveillance video from the defendant’s apartment building showed him leaving his building on the day of the murder wearing a plaid hoodie, according to trial evidence. The defendant is seen on video returning to his apartment building after the murder not wearing the hoodie. A plaid hoodie, linked to the defendant by DNA, was found next to the victim’s body, according to testimony.

The case was prosecuted by Senior Assistant District Attorney Emily Dean, of the District Attorney’s Homicide Bureau, under the supervision of Kenneth Taub, Chief.

#

 

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Friday, December 16, 2016

 

More Than 250 Pounds of Illegal Psychedelic Mushrooms with a Street Value of Almost $2 Million Seized From Major Grow House in Sheepshead Bay

Three Defendants Charged With Possession of a Controlled Substance

Acting Brooklyn District Attorney Eric Gonzalez, together with Special Agent in Charge of the New York Division of the Drug Enforcement Administration James J. Hunt, New York City Police Commissioner James P. O’Neill, New York State Police Superintendent George P. Beach II and Special Agent in Charge of Immigration and Customs Enforcement Homeland Security Investigations in New York City Angel M. Melendez today announced that three men have been arrested in connection with the seizure of more than 250 pounds of psychedelic mushrooms and more than $30,000 in cash during the execution of search warrants at two locations in Sheepshead Bay.

Acting District Attorney Gonzalez said, “This investigation exposed and dismantled a massive psychedelic mushroom grow house, keeping hundreds of pounds of this illegal and dangerous drug off the streets. I would like to thank all of the partners of the DEA Strike Force for their commitment to keeping our communities safe.”

DEA Special Agent in Charge Hunt said, “Man-made drugs are our worst enemy these days. Those using synthetic cannabinoids, Carfentanil, U-47700, or psychedelic mushrooms are playing Russian roulette. I commend the partnership at the DEA Strike Force that led to these arrests and seizure.”

Police Superintendent Beach said, “The valuable partnerships developed through the Strike Force were instrumental in these arrests and the large seizure of drugs. We will not tolerate this kind of activity in our communities. I want to thank our partners for their hard work on this case.”

ICE HSI Special Agent Melendez said, “These individuals grew mind-altering mushrooms right in our own backyard of Brooklyn. At a few hundred dollars an ounce, this was no small business. But they were hallucinating on their own product if they had thought they could hide from the law. HSI’s joint law enforcement effort within the DEA’s Strike Force unit demonstrates our commitment to track this type of criminal activity and lock up the perpetrators.”

The Acting District Attorney identified the defendants as Vitali Yaromin, 50, of East 13th Street in Sheepshead Bay, Brooklyn; Nikita Medvedev, 26, of Staten Island; and Maksym Lyushnenko, 47, of East 11th Street in Sheepshead Bay. They are presently awaiting arraignment in Brooklyn Criminal Court on charges of second- and third-degree criminal possession of a controlled substance and second-degree criminally using drug paraphernalia. If convicted, they face up to 10 years in prison on the top count.

The Acting District Attorney said that Detective Investigators from the District Attorney’s office and members of the New York City Police Department executed search warrants at two locations in Sheepshead Bay, following a joint investigation with the DEA Strike Force.

At the first location, a private house on East 13th Street in Sheepshead Bay, detectives seized more than 200 pounds of psilocybin mushrooms a.k.a. psychedelic mushrooms, more than $30,000 in cash, more than 300 gift cards, one ounce of marijuana, and bank records.

At the second location, a private house on East 11th Street in Sheepshead Bay, more than 50 pounds of psychedelic mushrooms, $400 cash and a 2007 Lexus 350 SUV were seized.

The U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration’s (DEA) New York Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Strike Force is comprised of agents and officers of the DEA, the New York City Police Department, Immigration and Customs Enforcement – Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), the New York State Police, the U. S. Internal Revenue Service Criminal Investigation Division, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF), the Federal Bureau of Investigation, U.S. Secret Service, the U.S. Marshal Service, New York National Guard, the New York Department of Taxation and Finance, the Clarkstown Police Department, U.S. Coast Guard, Port Washington Police Department and New York State Department of Corrections and Community Supervision. The Strike Force is partially funded by the New York/New Jersey High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area (HIDTA), which is a federally funded crime fighting initiative.

The case is being prosecuted by Assistant District Attorney Gillian DiPietro, of the District Attorney’s Violent Criminal Enterprises Bureau, under the supervision of Assistant District Attorney Alfred De Ingeniis, First Deputy Bureau Chief and Assistant District Attorney Nicole Chavis, Bureau Chief, and the overall supervision of Executive Assistant District Attorney William E. Schaeffer, Chief of the Investigations Division and Assistant District Attorney Patricia McNeill, Deputy Chief.

#

 

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Friday, December 16, 2016

 

Homeless Man Convicted of Murder for Fatally Shooting Man
During Robbery on Brownsville Street Corner

Victim Had Received Threatening Text Messages from Defendant’s Phone

Acting Brooklyn District Attorney Eric Gonzalez today announced that a 49-year-old homeless man has been convicted of first-degree murder for fatally shooting an acquaintance during a robbery on a Brownsville street corner.

Acting District Attorney Gonzalez said, “After threatening the victim, this defendant robbed and shot him to death in cold blood. He’s now been held fully accountable for this deliberate and senseless act of gun violence.”

The Acting District Attorney identified the defendant as Keith Brannon, 49, of Brownsville, Brooklyn. He was convicted today of first-degree murder (intentional murder committed during the course of a felony) and second-degree criminal possession of a weapon following a jury trial before Brooklyn Supreme Court Justice Neil Firetog. He will be sentenced on February 6, 2017, at which time he faces up to life in prison without the possibility of parole.

The Acting District Attorney said that, according to trial testimony, on August 8, 2015, at approximately 8:40 p.m., at the corner of Atlantic Avenue and Sackman Street in Brownsville, the defendant fatally shot the victim, Christopher Tennison, 32, in the chest, while robbing him at gunpoint.

According to the investigation, a cell phone recovered from the victim at the crime scene contained threatening text messages traced to a phone in the defendant’s possession, which he later admitted to owning for several months. Following the defendant’s arrest, a gun was recovered in the room of a homeless shelter where he lived. The gun tested positive as the murder weapon.

The case was prosecuted by Senior Assistant District Attorney Bernarda Villalona, of the District Attorney’s Homicide Bureau, under the supervision of Kenneth Taub, Chief.

#

 

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Tuesday, December 13, 2016

 

Thirty-Five Alleged Gang Members and Associates Charged with
Financial Crimes, Burglaries, Weapons Possession and Drug Dealing
Following Year-Long Investigation

Defendants Tied to Brownsville-based Crews Charged in 15 Separate Indictments;
Used Forged Credit Cards to Purchase American Girl Dolls, Rental Cars, Concert Tickets;
Others Charges include a Home Invasion and Owning Gun 8-Year-Old Brought to School

Acting Brooklyn District Attorney Eric Gonzalez, together with New York City Police Commissioner James P. O’Neill, today announced that 35 alleged members of street gangs and crews have been variously charged in 15 indictments with narcotics distribution, weapons possession, burglaries, forgery and identity theft. The charges are the result of a long-term investigation that relied on electronic surveillance and exposed a multitude of criminal activities, from violent street crime to sophisticated credit card fraud.

Acting District Attorney Gonzalez said, “By targeting known gang members responsible for violence in our streets, we have exposed and interrupted a number of interconnected criminal enterprises, from drug dealing to credit card forgeries. As alleged, the defendants targeted not only their neighbors – who they attacked and robbed in their homes and on the street – but also strangers who they’d never met, stealing their identities to line their own pockets. It is no longer enough to target the perpetrators of violent acts; public safety also requires us to pursue the criminals whose fraudulent financial schemes support violent gangs and their members. Our strategic approach will continue until we have incapacitated the drivers of violence in our communities and financial schemers who make everyone a victim.”

Commissioner O’Neill said, “This case is the latest example of precision policing at work. The result of the NYPD’s focus is impressive. For those from Brownsville, this is the end of Hoodstarz’s violence, identity theft, bogus rental cars, and drug dealing that permeated the streets. I’d like to thank the Acting Brooklyn District Attorney for his work and partnership on this case – and many others.”

The Acting District Attorney said that the defendants were arraigned last week and yesterday. The prosecution is divided into three areas: narcotics distribution; burglaries, weapons possession and other acts of violence; and financial crimes. Four defendants have been variously charged in a 94-count indictment with first-, second- and third-degree criminal sale of a controlled substance, criminal possession of a controlled substance, second-degree conspiracy and related counts. Fourteen defendants have been variously charged in three indictments totaling 238, 137 and 40 counts with second-degree forgery, second-degree criminal possession of a forged instrument, second-degree criminal possession of stolen property, first-degree identity theft and related counts. Twenty-two defendants have been variously charged in 11 indictments with first-degree burglary, second-degree criminal possession of a weapon, second-degree assault and other counts. [Some of the defendants have been charged in multiple indictments; see defendant addendum].

The Acting District Attorney said the investigation started in the fall of 2015 and focused on gang-related gun violence, narcotics sales, robberies and other criminal activities in Brownsville, Brooklyn, by individuals associated with the Hoodstarz street gang and affiliated crews, including Folk Nation and the 823 Crips. The investigation relied primarily on electronic surveillance, including monitoring of Facebook conversations and cell phone communications. The evidence has led to charges relating to various crimes, including:

• On January 26, 2016, Jayquan Wimms, Shaquille Armstrong, Jhalanie Jones, Kamal Chase and Sebastian Maione allegedly committed a home invasion at an apartment on St. Marks Street in Prospect Heights, Brooklyn. Maione, who knew the victim, a purported marijuana dealer, entered the apartment and, moments later, the co-defendants pushed their way in. The apartment dweller was pistol-whipped and he and his girlfriend were held at gun point, according to the investigation. The defendants left with cash, cell phones, computers and a Play Station 4 gaming system that was later sold by Wimms at a GameStop location, the evidence showed.
• On May 27, 2016, an 8-year-old boy was caught inside Public School 91 in East Flatbush with an operable gun that was in his backpack. Later that day, the evidence showed, Sean Burgess was heard in a phone conversation saying, “Bro, my, my brother got caught up in a jam…that was my chop,” referring to the firearm. The investigation determined that the boy was a relative who lived with Burgess at the same residence and the defendant has been charged with second-degree criminal possession of a weapon.
• On August 10, 2015, a group of people entered the Upper 90 soccer store in Boerum Hill, took $4,000 worth of merchandise and stormed out. Through communications that were intercepted months later, Khalil Chase, Sherif Randolph and Shavelle Mills were identified as the alleged perpetrators of the theft and indicted for grand larceny.
• Between November 2015 and October 2016, Andre Cheeves, Hasean Wyche, Andrew Leebing and Tyrone Sexton were allegedly engaged in a conspiracy to sell cocaine on the streets of Brooklyn, primarily in and around Brownsville. The defendants used coded and cryptic communication to evade law enforcement, according to the indictment.
• On December 2015 and January 2016, Tyrone Sexton made at least two online purchases totaling about $378 and $384 from American Girl, the doll company owned by Mattel, allegedly using credit card information stolen from two women. The merchandise was shipped to his Brownsville apartment, the evidence showed. On May 2, 2016, Sexton purchased 16 tickets to the Summer Jam concert at MetLife Stadium for $1,960, allegedly using stolen credit card information of a woman from Minnesota. Following a conversation with a customer representative who asked for “Carol” and was told by the defendant that he was Carol and he has a “female name,” the transaction was cancelled.
• Between December 2015 and May 2016, Felipe Avila Sr. and Felipe Avila Jr. (father and son) allegedly used a forged Pennsylvania driver’s license, other documents and stolen financial information that was embossed onto fraudulent credit cards to create ZipCar accounts. They then used the bogus cards to rent a BMX X3, a Cadillac ATS, a Chrysler 200 and other vehicles from ZipCar and other rental companies, according to the indictment. During the execution of a search warrant at the defendants’ home, over 700 allegedly forged credit, debit and gift cards and three embossing machines were recovered.
• On January 5, 2016, Shaquille Reid was allegedly provided by Sexton with a Bank of America account number and received a blank credit card from Avila Jr., according to the indictment. Using an embossing machine, Reid allegedly created a forged credit card bearing his name and used it to pay for numerous taxi rides and other expenses. At various times, in order to check that the card was still active without raising suspicion, the defendant made $1 purchases at a Muni Meter parking machine, the investigation found.

The investigation was conducted by New York City Police Department Detectives James Miles and Andy Ramaya, Sergeant Andy Dunton and Lieutenant Richard Zacarese of the NYPD’s Gun Violence Suppression Division, under the supervision of Assistant Chief James Essig and the overall supervision of Chief of Detectives Bob Boyce.

The case is being prosecuted by Assistant District Attorneys Corey S. Shoock, Laurie Baio and Nicholas Scott of the District Attorney’s Violent Criminal Enterprises Bureau, and Jonathan R. Sennett, Deputy Chief, with the assistance of Assistant District Attorney David McMaster, formerly of VCE, under the supervision of Assistant District Attorney Nicole Chavis, Bureau Chief, and the overall supervision of Executive Assistant District Attorney William E. Schaeffer, Chief of the District Attorney’s Investigations Division and Patricia McNeill, Deputy Chief.

#

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

Defendant Addendum

Narcotics Distribution

1. Andre (“Cool Breeze”) Cheeves, 27, of Crown Heights, Brooklyn
2. Hasean (“Sonny”) Wyche, 37, of Brownsville, Brooklyn
3. Andrew Leebing, 29, of Brownsville, Brooklyn
4. Tyrone (“Ty”) Sexton, 29, of East New York, Brooklyn

Financial Crimes

1. Tyrone (“Ty”) Sexton, 29, of East New York, Brooklyn
2. Shaquille (“Lotso”) Reid, 23, of Brownsville, Brooklyn
3. Tasheem (“Drugz”) Banks, 26, of Brownsville, Brooklyn
4. Jayquan (“Little Jay”) Wimms, 19, of Brownsville, Brooklyn
5. Shaquille (“Shaq”) Armstrong, 22, of Brownsville, Brooklyn
6. Christina (“Chrissy) Garcia, 19, of Rockaway Park, Queens
7. Zaria Watson, 19, of South Ozone Park, Queens
8. Abigail Foster, 21, of Brownsville, Brooklyn
9. Felipe (“Flip”) Avila Jr., 25, of  Brownsville, Brooklyn
10. Felipe Avila Sr., 54, of Brownsville, Brooklyn
11. Jordan (“Spade”) Amador, 23, of  East Flatbush, Brooklyn
12. Sayquan (“Gucci”) McKenzie, 25, of Camden, NJ
13. Bahiem Gary, 19, of Brownsville, Brooklyn
14. Jeremiah Mattis, 26, of Brownsville, Brooklyn

Violent Crimes

1. Khalil Chase, 19, of Brownsville, Brooklyn
2. Sharif Randolph, 19, of Brownsville, Brooklyn
3. Shavelle Mills, 19, of Brownsville, Brooklyn
4. Shaquille (“Lotso”) Reid, 23, of Brownsville, Brooklyn
5. Jayquan (“Little Jay”) Wimms, 19, of Brownsville, Brooklyn
6. Shaquille (“Shaq”) Armstrong, 22, of Brownsville, Brooklyn
7. Jhalanie Jones, 20, of Ozone Park, Queens
8. Kamal (“Bugatti”) Chase, 19, of Brownsville, Brooklyn
9. Sebastian Maione, 20, of Prospect Heights, Brooklyn
10. Tyrone (“Ty”) Sexton, 29, of East New York, Brooklyn
11. Gary (“Slary”) Sexton, 21, of Brownsville, Brooklyn
12. Dextaryon Patterson, 27, of Brownsville, Brooklyn
13. Dwayne Walcott, 27, of Brownsville, Brooklyn
14. Keith (“Dope”) Daniels, 31, of Sheepshead Bay, Brooklyn
15. Sean Burgess, 20, of Stapleton, Staten Island
16. Adrian (“Smutta”) Febus, 24, of East Flatbush, Brooklyn
17. Kareem Hendricks, 18, of East New York, Brooklyn
18. Yonny Skinner, 23, of Brownsville, Brooklyn
19. Jermoine Faison, 22, of Brownsville, Brooklyn
20. Michael Duncan, 28, of Sunset Park, Brooklyn
21. Sideequah Taylor, 18, of Brownsville, Brooklyn
22. Dwayne (“Weezy”) Butts, 32, of Fredericksburg, Virginia

 

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Monday, December 12, 2016

 

Brooklyn Man Convicted of Raping
82-Year-Old Woman in her Brighton Beach Home

Faces Up to 122 Years in Prison

Acting Brooklyn District Attorney Eric Gonzalez today announced that a 20-year-old Brooklyn man has been convicted of rape, sexual abuse, assault and other charges for attacking an 82-year-old woman in her Brighton Beach home last year.

Acting District Attorney Gonzalez said, “This defendant committed a reprehensible and terrifying assault on a vulnerable elderly woman who had the courage to face her attacker in court. This defendant has now been brought to justice and held accountable for his actions.”

The Acting District Attorney said that the defendant, Asa Robert, 20, of Brooklyn, was convicted today of first-degree rape and first-degree criminal sexual act, following his conviction last week of first-degree sexual abuse, second-degree assault, first-degree burglary, first-degree robbery, second-degree burglary and two counts of second-degree criminal trespass, following a jury trial before Brooklyn Supreme Court Justice Vincent Del Giudice. The judge set sentencing for January 10, 2017, at which time the defendant faces up to 122 years in prison.

The Acting District Attorney said that, according to trial testimony, on July 13, 2015, at approximately 2 a.m., in the vicinity of Brighton 11th Street in Brighton Beach, the defendant entered the victim’s apartment while she was outside taking out the garbage. A short while later, after the victim went to bed she heard a noise and discovered the defendant hiding in her bedroom. The victim yelled for him to leave, but he refused. Instead, he strangled her and forced her onto the bed, where he held a knife to her face, demanded money and punched her in the chest. The defendant then tied her hands behind her back and ransacked the bedroom.

The Acting District Attorney said that, according to trial testimony, the defendant then brought the victim into her kitchen and again assaulted her and ordered her not to call the police. The defendant brought the victim back to her bedroom shortly thereafter and raped and sodomized the victim.

After again instructing the victim not to call the police, the defendant fled the home with a bag containing the victim’s personal items. The victim called family members, who called 911. Police responded and the victim was treated at Kings County Hospital.

The defendant led the police on a four-day chase through various homes in Brooklyn. He was arrested on July 17, 2015 after being found hiding in the kitchen of a private residence.

The case was prosecuted by Senior Assistant District Attorney Lisa Nugent of the District Attorney’s Special Victims Bureau and Senior Assistant District Attorney Olatokunbo Olaniyan, formerly of the District Attorney’s Special Victims Bureau, under the supervision of Miss Gregory, Chief.

#

 

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Friday, December 9, 2016

 

Gravesend Man Arraigned on Indictment Charging Him
With Assault of Three-Year-Old Boy

Child Later Died From His Injuries

Acting Brooklyn District Attorney Eric Gonzalez today announced that a Gravesend man has been indicted on multiple charges of assault and endangering the welfare of a child for allegedly beating his girlfriend’s three-year-old son. The child later died.

Acting District Attorney Gonzalez said, “Jaden Jordan was an innocent and helpless child who died senselessly, allegedly after a cowardly and inexplicable assault at the hands of this defendant. There is no excuse ever, under any circumstances, for attacking a child. This investigation is continuing and the charges are expected to be upgraded at a later date, following a final determination by the Medical Examiner.”

The Acting District Attorney identified the defendant as Salvatore Lucchesse, 24, of Gravesend, Brooklyn. The defendant was arraigned today before Brooklyn Supreme Court Justice Deborah Dowling on an indictment charging him with one count of first-degree assault, three counts of second-degree assault and one count of endangering the welfare of a child. The defendant was ordered held without bail and to return to court on January 27, 2017. He faces up to 25 years in prison if convicted of the top count.

The Acting District Attorney said that, according to the investigation, the victim, Jaden Jordan, 3, was left home alone with the defendant while the victim’s mother was at work, between roughly 9 a.m. and 4:30 p.m., on November 28, 2016. At some point while in the defendant’s care, the toddler allegedly defecated on himself. At approximately 4:30 p.m., emergency personnel responded to the victim’s home after the defendant called 911 and reported that the child was bleeding and unconscious.

The victim, found soiled and unresponsive, was taken to Coney Island Hospital and then transferred to Columbia Presbyterian Medical Center where he remained after falling into a coma. Later examination revealed that Jaden had sustained severe head trauma and injuries to his liver, consistent with a sharp blow to the abdomen. According to the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner, the victim was removed from life support on Saturday, December 3, 2016, and died the same day. The fatal injuries are allegedly inconsistent with an accident, but instead inflicted by the defendant.

The case is being investigated by New York City Police Detective Janet Pena of the 61st Precinct Detective Squad and Detective Michael Habert of the Brooklyn South Homicide Squad.

The case is being prosecuted by Senior Assistant District Attorney Linda Weinman, 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.

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

#