Press Releases

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Thursday, May 5, 2016

Coney Island Teenager Convicted of Murder and Arson in Death of
New York City Police Officer Dennis Guerra

Officer Killed Responding to Deadly Mattress Fire in Housing Development Hallway;
Officer Rosa Rodriguez, His Partner, Was Critically Injured

Brooklyn District Attorney Ken Thompson today announced that a Coney Island teenager has been convicted of felony murder and arson for setting fire to a mattress in the hallway of a New York City Housing Authority building. Officer Dennis Guerra and his partner, Officer Rosa Rodriguez, responded to the scene and were immediately overcome by smoke and carbon monoxide. Officer Guerra later died of his injuries.

District Attorney Thompson said, “Police Officers Guerra and Rodriguez showed great courage when they rushed into that building to save the lives of others. Tragically, Officer Guerra lost his life and his partner suffered severe and permanent life-threatening injuries – all because the defendant was bored and set a mattress on fire, and did so despite being clearly warned about the dangers of setting fires. May this verdict bring some comfort to Officer Guerra’s family, as well as to Officer Rodriguez and her loved ones and to the men and women of the NYPD.”

The District Attorney identified the defendant as Marcell Dockery, 18, of 2007 Surf Avenue in Coney Island. He was convicted today of second-degree murder, first-degree assault and fourth-degree arson following a jury trial before Brooklyn Supreme Court Justice Danny Chun. The defendant will be sentenced on June 14, 2016 at which time he faces up to 25 years to life in prison.

On April 6, 2014, at approximately 12:30 p.m., according to trial testimony, Officers Guerra and Rodriguez responded to a 911 call of a fire at the defendant’s apartment building located at 2007 Surf Avenue. When the officers arrived on the 13^th floor, the location of the fire, they were overcome by toxic smoke. Responding firefighters found both officers unconscious and rescued them from the building.

The District Attorney said that, according to testimony, the defendant, who lived on the 12^th floor, found a discarded mattress in a 13^th floor hallway and used a lighter to set it on fire.

The defendant admitted to setting the deadly fire and told investigators, according to evidence submitted at trial, “I decided to take a lighter and light the top of the mattress because I was bored.” He was convicted of causing a death while committing a felony, namely, arson.

Both officers were hospitalized for severe smoke inhalation and carbon monoxide poisoning. Officer Guerra, a second-generation police officer, succumbed to his injuries three days later. He is survived by his wife and four children. Officer Rodriguez recovered and is currently assigned to the New York City Police Department’s Medical Division and placed on limited duty due to her injuries.

Officer Guerra, an eight-year NYPD veteran, and Officer Rodriguez, a four-year veteran, were assigned to Police Service Area 1 of the Housing Bureau.

The case was prosecuted by Assistant District Attorney Howard L. Jackson, of the District Attorney’s Homicide Bureau and Assistant District Attorney Lauren Silver, under the supervision of Assistant District Attorney Kenneth Taub, Bureau Chief.

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Wednesday, May 4, 2016

Man Sentenced to 23 Years to Life for 1991 Murder

Arrested in Alabama in 2007 after 16 Years on the Lam

Brooklyn District Attorney Ken Thompson today announced that a 55-year-old man was sentenced to 23 years to life in prison for shooting a man in the face outside a New Year’s Eve party in 1991. The defendant was arrested in 2007 in Alabama, where he lived under an assumed identity. He was found guilty in 2011, but that conviction was overturned on appeal.

District Attorney Thompson said, “Justice finally prevailed in this case and a man who committed a brutal murder will now pay for his actions. I hope that the victim’s family, who waited so many years for some closure, will find solace in today’s sentence.”

The District Attorney identified the defendant as Derrick Lloyd, 55, of Montgomery, Alabama. He was sentenced today by Brooklyn Supreme Court Justice Neil Firetog to 23 years to life in prison, following his conviction on March 24, 2016 of second-degree murder after a jury trial.

The District Attorney said that, according to trial testimony, in the early morning hours of January 1, 1991, the defendant left a house party at 5624 Farragut Road in East Flatbush, Brooklyn, looking for an intoxicated man who had caused a disturbance at the party. He approached a group of people seated on a bench and demanded to know where the person he was looking for went. No one was able to answer the defendant.

The defendant then stated, “I want answers now,” the evidence showed. William Smith, 22, replied with words to the effect of “We all want answers” and the two got into a fight. In the course of the altercation, the defendant pulled out a gun and shot the victim in the face, killing him, according to testimony.

The defendant was identified by a witness on the day of the incident, but could not be located. In August 2007, he entered a Department of Motor Vehicles location in Alabama, where he has been living under the assumed name Rashad Hamid. A clerk noticed that he was using fraudulent documents and the defendant was subsequently identified as Derrick Lloyd, who had been the subject of an extensive search and featured on the “America’s Most Wanted” television program.

He stood trial in 2011, was convicted and sentenced to 18 years to life in prison. An appellate court overturned the conviction in 2014 and ordered a new trial.

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.

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Tuesday, May 3, 2016

Teen Gunman Sentenced to 12 Years to Life in Prison for
Murder of Innocent Man on Crowded Bus during Rush Hour

Victim Shot in Head and Killed by Gang Member

Brooklyn District Attorney Ken Thompson announced today that a Bedford-Stuyvesant teenager has been sentenced to 12 years to life in prison. The defendant was convicted earlier this year on charges of second-degree murder for pulling out a .357 Magnum revolver on a crowded city bus during rush hour to open fire on rival gang members, and instead, shooting an innocent 39-year-old man in the back of the head, killing him.

District Attorney Thompson said, “This young man will have many years in prison to think about how his act of senseless gang violence destroyed a family and took the life of an innocent man, Angel Rojas, who left behind a wife and two young children. He will now be held accountable.”

The District Attorney identified the defendant as Kahton Anderson, 16, of 660 Gates Avenue in Bedford-Stuyvesant. Brooklyn Supreme Court Justice Dineen Riviezzo today sentenced Anderson, as a juvenile, to 12 years to life in prison on his second-degree murder conviction, and three to nine years on his second-degree attempted murder conviction, ordering both sentences to run concurrently. Anderson was convicted following a jury trial.

The District Attorney said that, according to trial testimony, on the afternoon of March 20, 2014, Anderson – a Stack Money Goons gang member – was on a southbound B15 bus when three members of the rival Twan Family gang boarded. Anderson, who was 14-years-old at the time, pulled out a .357 revolver from his backpack and opened fire.

Angel Rojas, 39, who was married and the father of an 8-year-old daughter and a 12-year-old son, was sitting in a forward facing seat on the bus, talking on a cell phone. He was struck in the back of the head. After shooting Rojas, the defendant ran off the bus to pursue his rivals and continued to shoot until he emptied his gun. Rojas was pronounced dead shortly thereafter at Woodhull Hospital.

The case was prosecuted by Assistant District Attorney Nicole Chavis, Chief of the District Attorney’s Violent Criminal Enterprises Bureau and Assistant District Attorney Iris Das, of the Violent Criminal Enterprises Bureau, under the supervision of Executive Assistant District Attorney William E. Schaeffer, Chief of the District Attorney’s Investigations Division.

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Friday, April 29, 2016

Police Officer Convicted of Assault for Stomping on Suspect’s Head

Incident Caught on Cell Phone Video

Brooklyn District Attorney Ken Thompson today announced that a New York City Police Officer has been convicted of misdemeanor assault for stomping on the head of a suspect while he was face down on the ground, in the process of being handcuffed by other officers.

District Attorney Thompson said, “This police officer, in broad daylight and in front of a crowd of people, stomped on the head of a suspect while he lay on the ground, subdued and surrounded by other officers.  That’s why he was indicted, put on trial and convicted.  His conduct was simply outrageous.”

The District Attorney identified the defendant as Joel Edouard, 38, of Elmont, NY, who was assigned to the 81^st precinct at the time of the incident. He was found guilty today by Brooklyn Supreme Court Justice Alan Marrus of one count of third-degree assault, a misdemeanor, after a non-jury trial. The defendant is facing a maximum sentence of one year in jail and a minimum sentence of a conditional discharge when he is sentenced on June 10, 2016. 

The District Attorney said that, according to trial testimony, on July 23, 2014, at about 7:30 p.m., in the vicinity of 223 Malcolm X Boulevard, in Bedford-Stuyvesant, Brooklyn, the defendant and his partner observed Jahmi-El Cuffee, 32, drinking on the sidewalk and possessing what appeared to be marijuana. Cuffee resisted arrest and tussled with the officers. Additional officers arrived on the scene to assist Officer Edouard and his partner.

The District Attorney said that, according to the evidence, a witness to the incident captured a cell phone video which depicts Cuffee on the ground, face down and being subdued by several officers. Also depicted on the video is Officer Edouard briefly pointing his gun at Cuffee, walking away from the scene of the arrest and then walking back and stomping on Cuffee’s head as he lay on the ground. Cuffee’s head then hit the concrete, causing him to suffer a contusion and later dizziness, headaches and nausea.

The case was investigated by Sergeant Amy Morin of the New York City Police Department’s Internal Affairs Bureau, under the supervision of Deputy Commissioner of Internal Affairs Joseph Reznick.

The case was prosecuted by Assistant District Attorney Marc Fliedner, Chief of the District Attorney’s Civil Rights Bureau and Assistant District Attorney India Sneed, also of the Civil Rights Bureau, under the overall supervision of Executive Assistant District Attorney William E. Schaeffer, Chief of the District Attorney’s Investigations Division.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Monday, April 25, 2016

Baltimore Man Convicted of Attempted Murder
And Other Charges for Shooting Three Individuals in Bedford-Stuyvesant

Brooklyn District Attorney Ken Thompson today announced that a 27-year-old man was convicted of attempted murder and other charges for opening fire on a Bedford-Stuyvesant street, striking three people. He faces up to 75 years in state prison when he is sentenced.

District Attorney Thompson said, “This defendant brazenly pulled out a handgun and fired nine times on a street filled with people going about their business. He struck three people, all of whom are lucky to be alive. Now he’s been held accountable and faces many years in prison.”

The District Attorney identified the defendant as Cush Wright-El, 27, of Baltimore, Maryland. He was convicted of one count of second-degree attempted murder, two counts of first-degree assault, second-degree criminal possession of a weapon and first-degree reckless endangerment following a jury trial before Brooklyn Supreme Court Justice Suzanne Mondo. He will be sentenced on May 10, 2016, at which time he faces a maximum of up to 75 years in prison.

The District Attorney said that, according to trial testimony, on October 1, 2014, at approximately 5:45 p.m., in the vicinity of Pulaski Street and Stuyvesant Avenue, the defendant, dressed in a dark hooded sweatshirt, approached William Mayo, 57, and his nephew, Kayshawn Mayo, 16, as they played a game of chess and opened fire, striking the older man in the ankle and the teenager in the shoulder and back, and grazing his head.

Furthermore, according to trial testimony, the defendant then ran down the street and continued firing, striking bystander Judith Daniel, 61, in the right leg, foot and left calf. William Mayo’s nephew, Demetrious Mayo, 28, got into his car and followed the defendant, allegedly ramming into him. The defendant was arrested and a .40 caliber weapon was recovered in a hooded jacket. Nine shell casings were recovered at the scene of the shooting.

The case was prosecuted by Assistant District Attorney Timothy Gough, Chief of the District Attorney’s Grey Zone Trial Bureau, with the assistance of Assistant District Attorney Krystyn Tendy, also of the Grey Zone.

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Wednesday, April 20, 2016

Brooklyn Man Sentenced to 22 Years to Life in Prison for
Murder at the Walt Whitman Houses in Fort Greene

Brooklyn District Attorney Ken Thompson today announced that a Fort Greene man has been sentenced to 22 years to life in prison following his conviction earlier this month on charges of murder and criminal possession of a weapon for the 2014 killing of a 42-year-old Boerum Hill man.

District Attorney Thompson said, “Keeping the residents of Brooklyn safe from senseless gun violence is my top priority. This case shows our resolve to punish anyone who uses guns to settle scores.”

The District Attorney identified the defendant as Shaquille Upson, 22, of North Portland Avenue, in the Walt Whitman Houses. He was sentenced to 22 years to life in prison by Brooklyn Supreme Court Justice Danny Chun, following his conviction earlier this month on charges of second-degree murder and two counts of second-degree criminal possession of a weapon following a jury trial.

The District Attorney said that, according to the investigation, on April 14, 2014 at approximately 12:10 a.m., the defendant fired multiple shots at Armal Mallory, 42, who was standing outside of 79 North Oxford Walk, which is located at the Walt Whitman Houses in Fort Greene.  The victim was shot multiple times and sustained gunshot wounds to the chest, leg and neck, ultimately dying of his injuries

An eyewitness, who knew the defendant, observed the defendant shoot the deceased, according to trial testimony. The witness heard several more shots as he fled. Video surveillance footage showed the defendant entering a nearby building shortly after the shooting, wearing clothing that matched the description given by the eyewitness. In addition, the defendant made an incriminating Facebook post and an incriminating phone call from Rikers Island, which were both introduced into evidence at trial.

The case was investigated by Detective Herbert Martin of the Brooklyn North Homicide Squad and Detective Joseph Rodriguez of the 88^th Precinct Detective Squad. District Attorney Detective Investigators Robert Galvin and Chip Nigro assisted in the investigation.

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

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Wednesday, April 20, 2016

Brooklyn District Attorney Announces Summer High School Internships

Joint Partnership with United Federation of Teachers; Program Offers Unique Exposure
To the Inner Workings of the Criminal Justice System

Brooklyn District Attorney Ken Thompson, together with United Federation of Teachers President Michael Mulgrew, today announced that the District Attorney’s office is hosting a competitive summer internship program for high school students who live or attend school in the borough. Students with an interest in criminal justice or public service will participate in a comprehensive five-week program.

District Attorney Thompson said, “This inaugural program is a hands-on internship that will pair high school students with Assistant District Attorneys, offering the interns an insider’s view of the inner workings of one of the largest DA’s offices in the country. It’s a terrific opportunity to learn, grow and be mentored in a professional environment.”

President Mulgrew said, “This internship provides young people with real world experiences and expands the education process beyond the classroom. We are happy to join with the office of the Brooklyn District Attorney to help students acquire important new skills.”

Selected students will be assigned to a unit within the DA’s office and will support the work of Assistant District Attorneys and other members of the DA’s staff. They can expect to assist with legal research and analysis using the Internet, news articles and legal periodicals; assist attorneys on pretrial matters; work on case preparation, discovery, file maintenance and organizing court documents; participate in trial zone workshops; participate in judicial, legal and law enforcement-related  field trips; and observe criminal proceedings including trials, guilty pleas and sentencings.

The program is open to qualifying sophomores, juniors and rising seniors who must be able to commit to the entire duration of the program, which will run from July 11, 2016 to August 12, 2016, from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., Monday to Thursday and 9 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., on Friday.

Students will receive a weekly $150 stipend and a MetroCard. Applicants are required to supply their most recent school transcripts, a one-page resume, two letters of recommendation and evaluation forms, from either a teacher, coach, or mentor, and must submit a 300 word typed essay (12 pt. font and double-spaced) on why they are interested in interning with the Brooklyn District Attorney’s office and what impact they think it will have on their future personal and professional endeavors.

Completed documents should be emailed to the Brooklyn District Attorney’s Office at edprograms@brooklynda.org in pdf format, with the subject line: “Brooklyn DA Summer Internship Program,” no later than May 20, 2016.

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Tuesday, April 19, 2016

Statement of Brooklyn District Attorney Ken Thompson
Regarding the Sentencing of Peter Liang

“My office vigorously prosecuted Peter Liang for manslaughter because the evidence established that his conduct was criminal and the rule of law demanded that he be held accountable for his actions in taking Akai Gurley’s life.

The jury, the voice of the Brooklyn community, agreed and returned the verdict of guilty against Mr. Liang, who is now a convicted felon, forfeited his career as a police officer and must now always live with the fact that he recklessly caused Mr. Gurley’s death.

While our sentencing recommendation was fair under the unique circumstances of this case, we respectfully disagree with the judge’s decision to reduce the jury’s verdict and will fight to reverse it on appeal.”

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Tuesday, April 19, 2016

Two East New York Men Convicted of Kidnapping for Hire, Murder

Victim’s Body Found in Queens, Throat Cut from Ear-to-Ear

Brooklyn District Attorney Ken Thompson today announced that two East New York men have been convicted of first-degree kidnapping, second-degree murder and related charges for the forced abduction and murder of a Williamsburg man.

District Attorney Thompson said, “These two defendants kidnapped a man and then slit his throat all for money, drugs and a car.  They will now pay a steep price for their barbaric acts.”

The District Attorney identified the defendants as Tramel Cuencas, 24, and Irving Gavin, 28, both of 702 Warwick Street in East New York, Brooklyn. Defendant Cuencas was convicted on April 14, 2016, of two counts of second-degree murder and one count of second-degree robbery following a jury trial. Defendant Gavin was convicted of first-degree kidnapping and first-degree burglary by a separate jury on April 18, 2016. Both defendants will be sentenced before Brooklyn Supreme Court Justice Danny Chun on May 3, 2016 at which time they face a maximum of ­­­50 years to life behind bars.

The District Attorney said that, according to trial testimony, on the afternoon of November 14, 2012, the defendants forced their way into the apartment of Thomas Dudley and held him and three other occupants at gun point. They then took approximately $10,000 from a safe inside the home. Three of the victim’s family members, including his 8-year-old sister, were in the apartment at the time.

The defendants then forced the victim to get dressed, tied his hands and then directed him into a U-haul truck waiting outside. The victim’s body was found the following day in Forest Park, Queens; his throat was cut from ear-to-ear and both wrists were slashed.

After the defendants, both members of the Elm Street Piru gang, were arrested on November 19, 2012, they made incriminating statements admitting to the kidnapping and indicated that the kidnapping was ordered by another gang member as retaliation for an alleged drug dispute involving the victim. In exchange for kidnapping Dudley, the defendants expected to be paid in cash, drugs and his Jaguar.

The case was investigated by New York City Police Detective Erik Malak of the 90 Precinct Detective Squad and Detectives Robert McCormick and Kahlid Ragab of the 102^nd Precinct Detective Squad and Detective Peter Galasso of the Queens Homicide Squad.

The case was prosecuted by First Deputy Chief Alfred De Igeniis and Assistant District Attorney James Slattery of the District Attorney’s Violent Criminal Enterprises Bureau, under the supervision of Kenneth Taub, Chief of the District Attorney’s Homicide Bureau.

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Monday, April 18, 2016

Brooklyn Man Sentenced to 45 Years to Life in Prison
For Robbing and Attempting to Rape Woman in Bedford-Stuyvesant

Victim Attacked After Being Followed Into Apartment Building

Brooklyn District Attorney Ken Thompson today announced that a Brooklyn man was sentenced to 45 years to life in prison for attacking a 22-year-old Bedford-Stuyvesant woman and trying to rape her after she entered the lobby of her Myrtle Avenue apartment building.

District Attorney Thompson said, “This defendant cowardly stalked and attacked a defenseless woman and tried to rape her before running off with her cell phone and cash. Today’s sentence holds him accountable and will give him plenty of time to think about his actions.”

The District Attorney identified the defendant as John Duncan, 43, of 1419 Bushwick Avenue, in Bushwick, Brooklyn. The defendant was today sentenced to an indeterminate term of 45 years to life in prison by Brooklyn Supreme Court Justice John Ingram. He was convicted on March 21, 2016, of first-degree burglary as a sexually motivated felony, first-degree robbery as a sexually motivated felony, first-degree attempted rape and first-degree sexual abuse following a jury trial.

The District Attorney said that, according to trial testimony, on March 10, 2014, at approximately 1:50 p.m., the victim, a 22-year-old woman, who had been grocery shopping, was walking home from the supermarket and entering her apartment building when the defendant grabbed her from behind and put his arm around her throat, and told her he had a gun, not to look at him, and that he wasn’t going to rape her, he was just going to rob her.

The defendant pushed the woman into the lobby of her building, according to trial testimony, and took her cell phone and $60. He pushed her down onto the stairs and pushed her onto her knees, tied her hands behind her back, ripped off her shirt and tore it into pieces and took a piece of her shirt and shoved it down her throat. He put his hand in her bra and then ripped off the bra and used it to cover the victim’s face.

After repeatedly saying he was not going to rape her, according to testimony, the defendant pulled down the victim’s pants and underwear, and began to unbuckle his pants and belt. The victim began pleading loudly with the defendant to stop and let her go and he ran off. The victim then went to her apartment and called 911.

The defendant was ultimately arrested, according to testimony, after surveillance video that was recovered from the supermarket and the streets near the victim’s home showed the defendant following her as she shopped and then following her home. The video was released to the press and an anonymous caller identified the defendant, who subsequently surrendered to police and made incriminating statements.

The case was prosecuted by Assistant District Attorney Bridget K. Brodzinski and Senior Assistant District Attorney Lisa Nugent of the Special Victims Bureau, under the supervision of Assistant District Attorney Miss Gregory, Bureau Chief.

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