Press Releases

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Wednesday, October 13, 2021

 

Driver Who Struck and Killed Six-Year-Old Girl in
Dyker Heights Crosswalk Indicted for Manslaughter

Allegedly Drove into Opposite Lane of Traffic and Around Another Vehicle
To Make a Left Turn, Striking Child as She Crossed the Street with her Mother

Brooklyn District Attorney Eric Gonzalez today announced that a Brooklyn man has been arraigned on an indictment in which he is charged with manslaughter, criminally negligent homicide and other charges for striking and killing a six-year-old child as she crossed a street in Dyker Heights.

District Attorney Gonzalez said, “This defendant allegedly recklessly drove into oncoming traffic to get around a vehicle that was in front of him and ended up striking and killing an innocent child. We will now seek to hold him accountable for his actions. I am committed to protecting pedestrians and all who use our streets from unsafe drivers who endanger our community.”

The District Attorney identified the defendant as Qiuhua Zhu, 30, of Sunset Park, Brooklyn. He was arraigned yesterday before Brooklyn Supreme Court Justice William Harrington on a 12-count indictment in which he is charged with second-degree manslaughter, criminally negligent homicide, second-degree assault, and related charges. He remains out on $50,000 bail and was ordered to return to court on December 1, 2021. He faces a maximum sentence of 15 years in prison if convicted of the top count.

The District Attorney said that, according to the investigation, on August 24, 2021, at approximately 8 p.m., the defendant was allegedly driving a 2017 Lexus GX460 southbound on 12th Avenue, crossing over the solid yellow pavement markings into the opposite lane of traffic and driving around another vehicle directly in front of the defendant’s vehicle. The other vehicle had stopped and had motioned for the child to cross the street. After driving around the other vehicle, the defendant allegedly made a left turn at the intersection of 67th Street and struck the child, Tamy Hiromi Quema Guachiac, who was crossing 67th Street in the east crosswalk, from north to south, with the pedestrian signal in her favor.

The child was taken to Maimonides Medical Center and died a short time later.

The case is being prosecuted by Senior Assistant District Attorney Steven Bravo and Assistant District Attorney Jessica Wishart, of the District Attorney’s Blue Zone Trial Bureau, under the supervision of Assistant District Attorney Kin Ng, Bureau Chief.

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

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Saturday, October 9, 2021

 

Street Co-Named in Honor of the Late Brooklyn District Attorney
Ken Thompson on the Fifth Anniversary of His Death

Stretch of Jay Street Between the Brooklyn DA’s Office and Brooklyn Supreme Court
Will be Known as Kenneth P. Thompson Way

Brooklyn District Attorney Eric Gonzalez today announced that a portion of Jay Street between Willoughby Street and Tech Place, which stretches between the Brooklyn DA’s Office and Brooklyn Supreme Court, has been named District Attorney Kenneth P. Thompson Way in honor of the late District Attorney who passed away five years ago. Thompson was the first African American DA in Brooklyn and put in place transformative reforms and radical changes to the criminal justice system. The resolution to rename the street was co-sponsored by Council Members Stephen Levin and Laurie Cumbo.

DA Gonzalez said, “The Great Ken Thompson had a bold vision of what Brooklyn could be and I am proud to have known him as a mentor and friend. He was the first of what has become a wave of progressive prosecutors across the country and the reforms he enacted – such as the Conviction Review Unit, marijuana decriminalization and the Young Adult Court – have had an impact far beyond Brooklyn. Ken’s commitment to safety, equity and fundamental fairness continue to guide me and our Office, and having this street co-named after him will serve as a daily reminder of these bedrock principles that guided him – and continue to guide us today.”

Lu-Shawn Thompson, Ken’s widow, said, “There are no words to express how I feel right now. I know Kenny would have been so proud and happy to have seen the street directly in front of his former office named in his honor. My children will have yet another example of the legacy and impact of their father. Through their father, they will know what it means to have a well lived life.”

Congressman Hakeem Jeffries said, “Ken Thompson was a groundbreaking district attorney who elevated the integrity and fairness of the criminal justice system in Kings County to unprecedented heights. He was a transformational figure in the fight for criminal justice reform nationally and a staunch defender of the safety and security of Brooklynites at home. I thank everyone who made this street co-naming possible and applaud all the individuals who are carrying the legacy of my friend forward.”

Council Member Levin said, “I am honored to be here today in remembrance of a great man. We gather here – with friends, family, community leaders, elected officials – for the co-naming of Jay Street as District Attorney Kenneth P. Thompson Way. Ken was a fighter all the way. He entered New York City government at a time when he was most needed. In the face of racial injustices and a myriad of challenging problems facing our city, he brought with him his expertise, candor, professionalism and vigor to a role in which he could be a public servant I the truest sense of the word. He committed to service, knowing that he would face opposition and challenges, because Ken knew deep down that the status quo when it comes to our criminal justice system needed a fresh set of eyes. A set of eyes from a perspective truly representative of those most impacted by the same system. He took on the issue of gun violence and left a legacy in the taskforce run by his successor, DA Eric Gonzalez. Ken knew we had to think big and tackle the issue of guns at their source and investigated the issue to get to the source of the problem – the iron pipeline allowing guns to come into New York and to Brooklyn. Bold. Visionary. These are two words which encapsulate his essence. It is only fitting that we gather here in front of the Brooklyn District Attorney’s Office on a thoroughfare in the heart of our justice system to put his name up as a reminder to all of what our leadership can aspire to.”
Council Member Cumbo said, “District Attorney Kenneth P. Thompson was an immense force for community service, hard work, justice, and fair treatment under the law. His dedication to law and his strategic intelligence has resulted in his legal influence both federally and locally. As Brooklyn’s first African American District Attorney, he provided a presence and mindset to help change and restore confidence in our criminal justice system. Kenneth P. Thompson is sorely missed but his legacy remains, and this street co-naming is a fitting tribute to the man who gave so much for the pursuit of justice.”
Following a career as a federal prosecutor and attorney in private practice, Thompson was elected to Brooklyn District Attorney in 2013, unseating a long-time incumbent and becoming the first African American DA elected in the borough. During his short tenure in office, he achieved a number of groundbreaking reforms. He established a Conviction Review Unit that quickly became a national model by exonerating over 20 wrongfully convicted individuals. To date, the CRU has vacated 120 convictions.

Thompson was also the first DA to stop prosecuting low-level marijuana possession as nearly 90% of those arrested were Black or Latino. That decision was a controversial move back in 2014 but proved to be the first step in the march toward legalization, which became the law in New York earlier this year. He was the first to establish a program to vacate summons warrants for minor infractions like walking a dog without a leash or being in a park after dark, leading the city and other DAs to follow suit. His vision resulted in the dismissals of hundreds of thousands of old outstanding warrants that held many people back from receiving education, housing and other benefits. He created the first Young Adult Court to provide needed interventions instead of seeking convictions against defendants ages 16 to 24, an approach that was used as a template for the “Raise the Age” legislation.

He strongly believed that everyone had a right to be safe in their own neighborhood and served as a fearless leader on behalf of social and racial justice in this country. He was also a loving husband to his wife Lu-Shawn and an adoring father to his two children. Thompson was diagnosed with colorectal cancer in 2016 and passed away on October 9, 2016.

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Tuesday, October 5, 2021

 

Queens Man Indicted for Sex Trafficking of Woman

Victim was Allegedly Drugged, Beaten and Forced to Engage in Prostitution, Held Against Her Will, Bound with Electrical Cord

Brooklyn District Attorney Eric Gonzalez today announced that a Long Island City man has been arraigned on an indictment in which he is charged with sex trafficking, promoting prostitution, assault, and related charges for the alleged sex trafficking of a young woman in Brooklyn and elsewhere.

District Attorney Gonzalez said, “This young woman allegedly suffered horrific abuse at the hands of this defendant. Thankfully, she was able to escape and get help. We must continue to do all we can to raise awareness of human trafficking and to prosecute those who engage in this appalling crime.”

The District Attorney identified the defendant as Walter Pinckney, 25, of Long Island City, Queens. He was arraigned today before Brooklyn Supreme Court Justice Danny Chun on a nine-count indictment in which he is charged with sex trafficking, second-, third- and fourth-degree promoting prostitution, second- and third-degree assault, criminal obstruction of breathing or blood circulation, and unlawful imprisonment. He faces up to 25 years in prison on the top count and would be required to register as a sex offender if convicted. He was ordered held on bail of $500,000 bond or $100,000 cash and to return to court on November 16, 2021.

The District Attorney said that, according to the investigation, between May 11, 2021 and June 6, 2021, the defendant allegedly forced a 24-year-old woman who he met through mutual friends to work as a prostitute after taking sexually suggestive photos of her and posting them in advertisements on megapersonals.com and skipthegames.com, offering sex in exchange for money.

It is alleged that when the victim said she did not want to work in prostitution, the defendant hit her. He allegedly arranged numerous dates for her throughout New York City and specifically at the Imperial Hotel in East New York, giving her Adderall and Ecstasy to keep her awake and working – sometimes for up to three consecutive days.

It is alleged that the abuse escalated throughout the course of the time the woman was with the defendant, including an instance where he allegedly placed both of his hands around her neck and applied pressure restricting her ability to breath because she did not want work as a prostitute.

On another occasion, it is alleged, she was tasered by an unidentified woman and beaten by the defendant after leaving a date and heading to the defendant’s residence on her own instead of waiting to be picked up. She was allegedly punched in the face, chest and abdomen by the defendant and suffered bruising and broken ribs.

Finally, it is alleged, the woman was taken to a house in East Flatbush in early June and held at the location and not given adequate food or water. She was confined to a single room and her wrists and ankles were bound with electrical cord. On June 6, 2021, she was able to loosen the cords, escape the residence, run down the street, and call 911 from a local corner store.

The case was investigated by Detectives Antonio Pagan and Liam O’Hara of the New York City Police Department, Human Trafficking Squad, under the supervision of Sergeant Robert Duplessis and Lieutenant Amy Capogna, along with Detective David Mills from the NYPD/HSI Public Safety Task Force, under the supervision of Sergeant Taiwo Adeleke. Both squads fall under the overall supervision of Captain Thomas Milano, Executive Officer and Inspector Fernando Guimaraes, Commanding Officer of the Vice Human Trafficking Unit.

The case is being prosecuted by Senior Assistant District Attorney Mary E. Monahan, under the supervision of Assistant District Attorney David Weiss, Deputy Chief of the District Attorney’s Human Trafficking Unit, and under the overall supervision of Assistant District Attorney Miss Gregory, Chief of the Special Victims Bureau.

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

 

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Tuesday, October 5, 2021

 

Queens Man Indicted for Sex Trafficking of Woman

Victim was Allegedly Drugged, Beaten and Forced to Engage in Prostitution, Held Against Her Will, Bound with Electrical Cord

Brooklyn District Attorney Eric Gonzalez today announced that a Long Island City man has been arraigned on an indictment in which he is charged with sex trafficking, promoting prostitution, assault, and related charges for the alleged sex trafficking of a young woman in Brooklyn and elsewhere.

District Attorney Gonzalez said, “This young woman allegedly suffered horrific abuse at the hands of this defendant. Thankfully, she was able to escape and get help. We must continue to do all we can to raise awareness of human trafficking and to prosecute those who engage in this appalling crime.”

The District Attorney identified the defendant as Walter Pinckney, 25, of Long Island City, Queens. He was arraigned today before Brooklyn Supreme Court Justice Danny Chun on a nine-count indictment in which he is charged with sex trafficking, second-, third- and fourth-degree promoting prostitution, second- and third-degree assault, criminal obstruction of breathing or blood circulation, and unlawful imprisonment. He faces up to 25 years in prison on the top count and would be required to register as a sex offender if convicted. He was ordered held on bail of $500,000 bond or $100,000 cash and to return to court on November 16, 2021.

The District Attorney said that, according to the investigation, between May 11, 2021 and June 6, 2021, the defendant allegedly forced a 24-year-old woman who he met through mutual friends to work as a prostitute after taking sexually suggestive photos of her and posting them in advertisements on megapersonals.com and skipthegames.com, offering sex in exchange for money.

It is alleged that when the victim said she did not want to work in prostitution, the defendant hit her. He allegedly arranged numerous dates for her throughout New York City and specifically at the Imperial Hotel in East New York, giving her Adderall and Ecstasy to keep her awake and working – sometimes for up to three consecutive days.

It is alleged that the abuse escalated throughout the course of the time the woman was with the defendant, including an instance where he allegedly placed both of his hands around her neck and applied pressure restricting her ability to breath because she did not want work as a prostitute.

On another occasion, it is alleged, she was tasered by an unidentified woman and beaten by the defendant after leaving a date and heading to the defendant’s residence on her own instead of waiting to be picked up. She was allegedly punched in the face, chest and abdomen by the defendant and suffered bruising and broken ribs.

Finally, it is alleged, the woman was taken to a house in East Flatbush in early June and held at the location and not given adequate food or water. She was confined to a single room and her wrists and ankles were bound with electrical cord. On June 6, 2021, she was able to loosen the cords, escape the residence, run down the street, and call 911 from a local corner store.

The case was investigated by Detectives Antonio Pagan and Liam O’Hara of the New York City Police Department, Human Trafficking Squad, under the supervision of Sergeant Robert Duplessis and Lieutenant Amy Capogna, along with Detective David Mills from the NYPD/HSI Public Safety Task Force, under the supervision of Sergeant Taiwo Adeleke. Both squads fall under the overall supervision of Captain Thomas Milano, Executive Officer and Inspector Fernando Guimaraes, Commanding Officer of the Vice Human Trafficking Unit.

The case is being prosecuted by Senior Assistant District Attorney Mary E. Monahan, under the supervision of Assistant District Attorney David Weiss, Deputy Chief of the District Attorney’s Human Trafficking Unit, and under the overall supervision of Assistant District Attorney Miss Gregory, Chief of the Special Victims Bureau.

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

 

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Wednesday, September 22, 2021

 

Brooklyn Man Indicted for Murder of Four-Year-Old Boy

Cause of Death was Battered Child Syndrome, Blunt Force Injury to Torso

Brooklyn District Attorney Eric Gonzalez today announced that a Brooklyn man has been arraigned on an indictment in which he is charged with murder, manslaughter and endangering the welfare of a child for allegedly causing the death of his girlfriend’s four-year-old son, Jayce Eubanks. An autopsy determined that the child had numerous old and new injuries about his body and suffered from battered child syndrome.

District Attorney Gonzalez said, “The autopsy of this helpless child revealed that he suffered unthinkable abuse in his short life and ultimately died, allegedly at the hands of this defendant, who we will now seek to hold accountable. I am committed to doing everything possible to protect children in our communities and to bring cowardly child abusers to justice.”

The District Attorney identified the defendant as Jerimiah Johnson, 27, of East New York, Brooklyn. He was arraigned today before Brooklyn Supreme Court Justice Donald Leo on an indictment in which he is charged with two counts of second-degree murder, one count of first-degree manslaughter and one count of endangering the welfare of a child. He was ordered held without bail and to return to court on November 18, 2021. The defendant faces up to 25 years to life in prison if convicted of the top count.

The District Attorney said that, according to the investigation, on September 12, 2021, at approximately 5:30 a.m., inside the child’s home, located on Baltic Street in the Gowanus Houses, in Brooklyn, his mother, Rickia Delvalle, was awakened by the defendant, who was holding Jayce in his arms and who stated that the child was not breathing. The mother observed that the child was foaming at the mouth and his stomach was hard and swollen.

Jayce was taken to Brooklyn Hospital Center, where he was pronounced dead at approximately 6:54 a.m.

An autopsy performed by the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner determined that Jayce had several old and new injuries, including multiple bruises and abrasions to his body, limbs, back, chest and abdomen; a healing skull fracture, bite marks on both ears, multiple healing and recent rib fractures on both sides of the chest, trauma to the stomach causing it to perforate, causing bleeding into the gastrointestinal tract and abdominal cavity, and that the cause of death was battered child syndrome with recent blunt force injuries of the torso.

The case is being prosecuted by First Deputy Bureau Chief Frank DeGaetano and Assistant District Attorney Christopher Mirabella, of the District Attorney’s Special Victims Bureau, under the overall supervision of Assistant District Attorney Miss Gregory, Bureau Chief.

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

 

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Monday, September 20, 2021

 

Nine Contractors Indicted for Allegedly Bribing Superintendents at New York City Housing Authority Developments for “Micro Purchase” Contracts

New York City Department of Investigation began Undercover Probe after NYCHA Employees Reported Allegedly Being Offered Bribes and Unlawful Gratuities

Brooklyn District Attorney Eric Gonzalez, together with New York City Department of Investigation Commissioner Margaret Garnett, today announced that nine contractors have been variously charged in multiple indictments with bribery, giving unlawful gratuities, offering a false instrument for filing and conspiracy for allegedly offering NYCHA employees bribes in exchange for “micro purchase” contracts.

District Attorney Gonzalez said, “These defendants allegedly tried to seek favors from NYCHA superintendents by offering them bribes, corrupting a process meant to ensure contracts are fairly awarded. I commend the employees who came forward to report the bribe offers, kicking off this investigation. My Office will continue to work closely with DOI to make sure that bribery schemes and other forms of corruption are investigated and prosecuted.”

Commissioner Garnett said, “Bribery is one of the oldest and most blatant forms of public corruption. But, as this investigation shows, corruption cannot take root when honest employees step forward and report it. DOI commends the NYCHA employees who embraced the affirmative obligation that all employees of the City of New York have to report wrongdoing to DOI. Their willingness to report helped reveal these vendors’ charged conduct, which placed taxpayer-funded business up for sale to the highest dishonest bidder. This investigation is a prime example of why combatting corruption is so important – it supports equity in this City and defends government’s ability to do its job honestly and place the public interest above personal advantage. DOI thanks the Brooklyn District Attorney’s Office for their partnership on this important investigation and also thanks NYCHA for its cooperation.”

The District Attorney identified the defendants as Lakhwinder Kumar, 47, and Kumar Construction Corp., of South Ozone Park, Queens; Charanjit Singh, 58, Satbir Singh, 71, and Fine Touch Construction, of Floral Park, Queens; Davinder Singh, 45, Nishan Singh, 56, Yuvi Development Inc., and NB Builders, of Hicksville, New York; Surinder Singh, 59, Guriqbal Singh, 28, A. Peter Luger Construction, PKG Contracting Corp. and Heera and G. Builders, of South Richmond Hill, Queens; Jaswant Banga Singh, 57, and Khushi Construction Inc., of New Hyde Park; and Bakhshish Chand, 68, and Amar Contracting, of Richmond Hill, Queens. The defendants are variously charged in multiple indictments with third-degree bribery, first-degree offering a false instrument for filing, giving unlawful gratuities and fifth-degree conspiracy. They are being arraigned today before Brooklyn Supreme Court Justice Danny Chun and released without bail.

For larger construction projects and repairs to be performed by an outside vendor, NYCHA generally solicits multiple bids before awarding a contract. For smaller repairs involving contracts up to $10,000, NYCHA implemented the micro purchase process which does not require multiple bids. Instead, the superintendent or assistant superintendent of a housing development has the discretion to choose a vendor and request an estimate.

The District Attorney said that, according to the investigation, in November 2018 defendant Lakhwinder Kumar allegedly told an assistant superintendent at a NYCHA development in Brooklyn that he appreciated the jobs he received and offered him money. That employee reported the bribe offer to DOI, which then equipped him with audio and video recording devices. A month later the defendant was recorded allegedly handing that assistant superintendent $450 in exchange for a micro purchase job at the development.

The following year, in July 2019, in an unrelated incident, defendant Surinder Singh, allegedly handed $600 cash to the superintendent of another NYCHA development in Brooklyn. The employee tried to return the money, but Singh allegedly refused to take it. The superintendent then reported the matter to DOI. A few weeks later, he allegedly left cash in the employee’s office who again reported it to DOI, which then equipped the employee with audio and video recording devices.

Starting in Spring 2019, DOI placed undercover investigators posing as assistant superintendents at the Red Hook Houses West and Lafayette Gardens in Clinton Hill. Over a period of many months, the undercover at Red Hook allegedly recorded a number of contractors including Charanjit Singh and Satbir Singh, who are partners; Davinder Singh and Nishan Singh, who are brothers; and another contractor, Guriqbal Singh, discussing jobs at the development on numerous occasions and handing the undercover amounts of cash ranging from $500 to $1,000 in exchange for micro purchase jobs.

The undercover at Lafayette Gardens allegedly recorded Kumar, Charanjit Singh and another contractor also allegedly giving cash bribes to the undercover.

As the investigation continued, it expanded to capture recordings of Surinder Singh allegedly paying additional bribes to a NYCHA employee at a NYCHA development in Brooklyn and Jaswant Banga Singh and Bakhshish Chand allegedly giving cash bribes to an employee at a NYCHA development in Queens.

It is alleged that between December 2018 and May 2021 the defendants paid bribes or unlawful gratuities to NYCHA employees or undercover investigators totaling about $20,000 in cash, in addition to two $500 gift cards and four bottles of Johnnie Walker scotch with a total approximate value of $115 in exchange for various jobs such as tile work, installation of tub enclosures, installation of a chain link fence, and repairing windows.

The case was investigated by DOI Confidential Investigator Delcine Doscher, Chief Investigators Enio Bencosme and Louis Vega, and Assistant Inspector General Robin Jacknow, under the supervision of Deputy Inspector General Gregory DeBoer, Inspector General Ralph Iannuzzi, Deputy Commissioner/Chief of Investigations Dominick Zarrella and First Deputy Commissioner Daniel Cort.

The case is being prosecuted by Assistant District Attorney Adam Libove, Deputy Chief of the District Attorney’s Public Integrity Bureau, and Senior Assistant District Attorney Sara Walshe, also of the Public Integrity Bureau, under the supervision of Assistant District Attorney Laura Neubauer, Bureau Chief, and Assistant District Attorney Michel Spanakos, Deputy Chief of the Investigations Division, and the overall supervision of Assistant District Attorney Patricia McNeill, Chief of the Investigations Division.

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

 

[Note: copies of the indictment and of materials shown during the press conference can be viewed here]

 

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Friday, September 17, 2021

 

Bronx Man Indicted for Rape of Stranger on A Train

Defendant Allegedly Approached Woman on Platform at Liberty Avenue,
Then Boarded Subway and Sexually Assaulted Her Multiple Times

Brooklyn District Attorney Eric Gonzalez today announced that a Bronx man has been indicted for allegedly attacking a woman in the early morning hours of August 11, 2021 on board a northbound A train.

District Attorney Gonzalez said, “Keeping our communities safe from violent sexual predators is a top priority. This defendant is charged with a frightening and life-altering attack of an innocent young woman who was riding the subway and we will now seek to hold him accountable for his heinous actions.”

The District Attorney identified the defendant as Dashawn Lewis, 30, of the Bronx. He was arraigned today before Brooklyn Supreme Court Justice Jill Konviser on a 20-count indictment in which he is charged with first-degree rape, first-degree criminal sexual act, first-degree sexual abuse, third-degree robbery, forcible touching and related charges. He was ordered held on $500,000 bail and to return to court on September 21, 2021. He faces up to 25 years in prison if convicted of the top count.

The District Attorney said that, according to the investigation, on August 11, 2021, at approximately 3:15 a.m., the victim, a 24-year-old woman, was seated on a bench at the Liberty Avenue subway station in East New York where the alleged sexual assault started.

The defendant allegedly followed her onto the train, sexually assaulted her and raped her.

The defendant then allegedly threatened her and directed her not to report the assault. Police were called and the victim was taken to a hospital, where a sexual assault kit was prepared.

The defendant was arrested for farebeating at approximately 5:45 a.m., at a nearby train station, by New York City Police Officers who recognized him as fitting the description of the suspect in the rape and sexual assault, and he was subsequently charged with the rape and sexual assault.

The case is being prosecuted by Senior Assistant District Attorney Laura Dilimetin of the District Attorney’s Special Victims Bureau, under the overall supervision of Assistant District Attorney Miss Gregory, Bureau Chief.

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

 

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Monday, September 13, 2021

 

Coney Island Man Sentenced to 10 Years in Prison Following
Guilty Plea to Sex Trafficking of a Child

Defendant Raped and Trafficked 16-Year-Old Girl

Brooklyn District Attorney Eric Gonzalez today announced that a Coney Island man has been sentenced to 10 years in prison for the trafficking of a child, who was the friend of his relative, a 17-year-old girl.

District Attorney Gonzalez said, “Thankfully, two teenagers are now safe from this defendant, who betrayed the trust of a relative and trafficked her vulnerable young friend. With today’s sentence he has been held to account for his crimes. I remain committed to bringing sexual predators such as this to justice and protecting victims of sexual assault and trafficking.”

The District Attorney identified the defendant as Bruce Vanderveer, 46, of Coney Island, Brooklyn. He was sentenced today by Brooklyn Supreme Court Justice Danny Chun to 10 years in prison following his May 26, 2021 guilty plea to one count of sex trafficking of a child. The defendant was also sentenced to 10 years’ post-release supervision and must register as a sex offender upon his release from prison.

The District Attorney said that, according to the investigation, on July 18, 2019, the defendant raped a 17-year-old relative inside of his apartment on West 24th Street in Coney Island. Afterward, the girl locked herself in the bathroom and called her aunt, who called 911. Police responded and found the teen crying outside of the apartment building and the defendant was arrested.

Subsequently, an investigation by the New York City Police Department determined that between June 9, 2019 and July 18, 2019, the relative’s 16-year-old friend also stayed at the defendant’s apartment. On numerous occasions, the defendant sexually assaulted and raped the 16-year-old while she was asleep.

Furthermore, according to the investigation, the defendant had the younger girl engage in sexual acts for money with other adult men, both inside of his apartment and elsewhere. She was forced to give over all the proceeds from the sexual encounters to the defendant.

The case was prosecuted by Senior Assistant District Attorney Jacques Roussel, of the District Attorney’s Human Trafficking Unit, under the supervision of Assistant District Attorney Sabeeha Madni, Deputy Unit Chief, and the overall supervision of Assistant District Attorney Miss Gregory, Chief of the District Attorney’s Special Victims Bureau.

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Thursday, September 9, 2021

 

Queens Man Indicted for Vicious Assault of
68-Year-Old Man in Brooklyn Street

Robbed Defenseless Victim of Cell Phone; Attack Caught on Surveillance Video

Brooklyn District Attorney Eric Gonzalez today announced that a 21-year-old man from Queens has been indicted of assault and robbery for a vicious daytime attack of a 68-year-old man in East New York, Brooklyn. The brutal beating was caught on surveillance video, leading to the apprehension of the defendant.

District Attorney Gonzalez said, “This defendant allegedly unleashed an unprovoked and violent assault on an elderly man and continued to beat and rob him as he laid unconscious. Such abhorrent and cruel behavior shocks the conscience, and we will now work to make sure that the defendant pays a steep price for his criminal actions.”

The District Attorney identified the defendant as Zamori Simmons, 21, of Jamaica, Queens. He was arraigned today before Brooklyn Supreme Court Justice Matthew Sciarrino on an indictment in which he is charged with second- and third-degree assault, second- and third-degree robbery and other related charges. He was ordered held on $20,000 bond or $10,000 cash bail and to return to court on October 14, 2021. The defendant faces up to seven years in prison if convicted of the top count.

The District Attorney said that, according to the investigation, on July 24, 2021 at about 9:05 a.m., near the corner of Pitkin Avenue and Barbey Street in East New York, the defendant was accosting a woman who asked a 68-year-old-man for help. The defendant then repeatedly punched that man until he fell to the ground, the evidence shows.

As the victim laid defenseless on the ground, the defendant allegedly stomped on his head, ripped a necklace off his neck and stole his cell phone, according to the indictment. He then fled on a Citi Bike. The victim lost consciousness and was treated in Brookdale Hospital for a broken wrist, multiple orbital fractures and other injuries.

Video surveillance of the attack was disseminated to the media and an anonymous tipster identified the defendant, who surrendered on August 5, 2021 and was placed under arrest.

The case is being prosecuted by Assistant District Attorney Jennifer Da Rin of the District Attorney’s Red Zone Trial Bureau, under the supervision of Assistant District Attorney Karla Watson, Bureau Chief.

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

 

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Monday, August 30, 2021

 

Serial Burglar Sentenced to up to 12 Years in Prison for
Three Break-ins of Brooklyn Apartments

Stole Jewelry, Electronics and Other Items When Owners Weren’t Home

Brooklyn District Attorney Eric Gonzalez today announced that a Staten Island man has been sentenced to six to 12 years in prison for a string of residential burglaries of empty Brooklyn apartments.

District Attorney Gonzalez said, “This defendant is a serial burglar who has shown that he will continue to invade the sanctity of people’s homes if he remains at large, necessitating this prison sentence. My Office is committed to protecting the safety and property of everyone living in Brooklyn and will continue to prosecute those who victimize our neighbors.”

The District Attorney identified the defendant as Casey Knight, 53, of Staten Island. He was sentenced today by Brooklyn Supreme Court Justice John Hecht to three consecutive prison terms of two to four years, for a total of six to 12 years, following his guilty plea earlier this month to three counts of third-degree burglary.

The District Attorney said that, according to the investigation, on October 24, 2018 at approximately 10:10 p.m., a man returned to his Sudyam Street home in Bushwick and heard noises from the basement. He then saw the suspect run out through a cellar door. Two laptops were missing, and video surveillance captured the defendant entering the residence through the cellar door.

On October 26, 2018, at about 5:47 p.m., according to the evidence, a woman was alerted that the alarm at her Lafayette Avenue home in Bedford-Stuyvesant has been activated. About $13,000 worth of jewelry was missing from her roommate’s bedroom and video surveillance captured the defendant break a windowpane of a door and enter the apartment.

Finally, a man who left for vacation on October 31, 2018 returned to his Clifton Place apartment in Clinton Hill on November 4, 2018 to find various electronics, a bicycle and a guitar missing. Fingerprints lifted from the living room matched the defendant.

The case was prosecuted by Assistant District Attorney Jonathan Hutchinson, of the District Attorney’s Grey Zone Trial Bureau, under the supervision of Assistant District Attorney Robert Walsh, Bureau Chief.

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