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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Tuesday, May 14, 2024

Construction Company Owner Convicted of Criminally Negligent Homicide in Death of 5-Year-Old Girl Struck by Pillars Following Wall Collapse

Defendant Built Dangerously Flawed Stone Fence in

Violation of Numerous Provisions of the NYC Building Code

Brooklyn District Attorney Eric Gonzalez, together with New York City Department of Investigation Commissioner Jocelyn E. Strauber and New York City Department of Buildings Commissioner James Oddo, today announced that the owner of a Nassau County construction company has been convicted of criminally negligent homicide and other charges after a wall he built collapsed on a child, killing her.

District Attorney Gonzalez said, “This is a heartbreaking instance where a young child was needlessly and senselessly taken from her family because this defendant chose to ignore safety protocols by violating numerous provisions of New York City’s building code, building a heavy stone fence and failing to secure it. Hopefully, today’s verdict will send a message that dangerous and sloppy work by contractors will have serious consequences.”

Commissioner Strauber said, “There is no excuse or tolerance for flouting the building code in New York City, conduct that can lead to dangerous conditions, fatal outcomes and, as this case shows, a criminal conviction.  I thank the Brooklyn District Attorney’s Office and the City Department of Buildings (DOB) for their partnership on this significant investigation that found the defendant had no DOB permit to construct a wall and built it without steel reinforcements, a violation of code, leading to the wall’s collapse and the tragic, needless death of a five-year-old girl.”

Commissioner Oddo said, “The death of Alysson Pinto-Chaumana was completely preventable. Simply put, if this contractor had obtained permits for the work to build this railing, and adhered to our city’s construction code regulations, this young girl would still be alive today. Since this terrible incident occurred, and a second similar fatality in 2021, the Department has conducted significant outreach to homeowners and industry professionals to get the word out about the dangers of shoddily constructed stone balustrade railings. I would like to acknowledge the hard work of District Attorney Gonzalez’s office, and our partners at the NYC Department of Investigation, for securing a meaningful conviction in this case, sending a strong message that we aren’t going to stand by as unscrupulous contractors endanger our children by cutting corners on the job.”

The District Attorney identified the defendant as Nadeem Anwar, 48, of Valley Stream and his company, City Wide Construction and Renovations, Inc., also of Valley Stream. Anwar was convicted today by Brooklyn Supreme Court Justice Danny Chun of criminally negligent homicide, first-degree offering a false instrument for filing, and second-degree falsifying business records following a bench trial. The defendant will be sentenced on August 14, 2024.

The District Attorney said that, according to the investigation, on August 29, 2019, at approximately 8:23 p.m., Alysson Pinto-Chaumana, 5, was with her mother and several friends while they were visiting a friend at 444 Harman Street, a three-story building in Bushwick, Brooklyn.

The group was outside waiting near the front door on an enclosed patio next to a granite wall that fenced in the patio and had a base of heavy stone pillars topped with stone horizontal plates. Suddenly, the pillars and a horizontal plate fell inward onto Alysson, crushing her skull and causing her death.

An investigation into the collapse determined that the defendant, a licensed contractor, who was hired to renovate the façade of the property and build the wall in September 2018 committed numerous violations of the New York City Building Code. Although he was licensed as a contractor in Nassau County, he was not authorized to file for work permits with the NYC Department of Buildings and had another contractor file the application for the work on the façade, but not for building the wall.

The defendant did not acquire a DOB permit to build a stone wall at 444 Harman Street, which was required, nor did he have a licensed engineer or architect conduct a post-construction analysis of the wall’s stability as required. A row of stone pillars must have at least one pillar every 48 inches with a steel reinforcing bar anchoring that pillar to the base. All of the pillars must also be secured to the base with an engineer-grade adhesive. The horizontal plates must be secured to the pillars with engineer-grade adhesive.

A DOB engineer who responded to the collapse observed there were no steel reinforcing bars in any of the pillars. Furthermore, he determined that there was no engineer-grade adhesive securing any of the wall’s component parts. Therefore, he determined, the wall was highly unstable and held together mostly by its own weight and gravity, an egregious violation of multiple provisions of the Building Code. The engineer described the conditions as “imminently perilous to life.”

The case was investigated by New York City Department of Buildings Director of Forensic Engineering Unit, Marco Frias, PE, and New York City Department of Investigation Chief Investigator James McElligott, under the supervision of Senior Inspector General Gregory Cho, Deputy Commissioner/Chief of Investigations Dominic Zarrella.

The case was prosecuted by Assistant District Attorney Adam Libove, Deputy Chief of the Public Integrity Bureau, and Assistant District Attorney Pamela Murray, Deputy Chief of the District Attorney’s Frauds Bureau, under the supervision of Assistant District Attorney Michel Spanakos, Deputy Chief of the District Attorney’s Investigations Division, and the overall supervision of Assistant District Attorney Patricia McNeill, Chief of the Investigations Division.

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Monday, May 13, 2024

Bushwick Man Sentenced to 10 Years in Prison

for Illegal Possession of Ghost Guns

Defendant Assembled Arsenal of 13 Weapons Including AR-15 Style Rifles

Brooklyn District Attorney Eric Gonzalez today announced that a Brooklyn man has been sentenced to 10 years in for prison for assembling an arsenal of illegal and untraceable firearms known as ghost guns. The defendant was convicted of second-degree criminal possession of a weapon and other related charges in April after authorities recovered 13 weapons from his Bushwick apartment, including assault weapons, handguns, and rifles.

District Attorney Gonzalez said, “Ghost guns are a threat to New Yorkers everywhere, and my Office is working tirelessly with our partners in law enforcement to stop their proliferation. Today’s sentence should send a message to anyone who, like this defendant, would try to evade critically important background checks and registration requirements to manufacture and stockpile these dangerous weapons. Every ghost gun we take off the street is a win for public safety.”

The District Attorney identified the defendant as Dexter Taylor, 53, of Bushwick, Brooklyn. He was sentenced today by Brooklyn Supreme Court Justice Abena Darkeh to 10 years in prison. He was convicted of two counts of second-degree criminal possession of a weapon; three counts of third-degree criminal possession of a weapon; five counts of criminal possession of a firearm; unlawful possession of pistol ammunition; and prohibition on unfinished frames or receivers on April 16, 2024, following a jury trial.

The District Attorney said that, following an investigation, members of the New York City Police Department identified Taylor as having ordered numerous ghost gun kits and component parts from various online retailers that were shipped to the defendant’s address on Eldert Street in Bushwick, Brooklyn.

A search warrant was executed at the defendant’s apartment on April 6, 2022, and numerous items were recovered, including four AR-15 style assault weapons, five handguns, four rifles and over 50 rounds of ammunition in addition to gun powder, shell casings, triggers, a 3D printer, and various upper and lower receivers used to build firearms. The weapons were being stored in an unlocked safe as well as a closet.

According to evidence presented at trial, the defendant spent approximately $40,000 to obtain the ghost guns parts and tools. The defendant did not have a gun license.

The investigation was conducted by the New York City Police Department’s Major Case Field Intelligence Team and Detective Investigators from the District Attorney’s Investigations Bureau.

The case was prosecuted by Senior Assistant District Attorney Omar Harding and Senior Assistant District Attorney Jonathan Visotzky, of the District Attorney’s Violent Criminal Enterprises Bureau, under the supervision of Assistant District Attorney Alfred De Ingeniis, VCE Bureau Chief.

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Wednesday, May 8, 2024

Three Hoolie Gang Members Sentenced to Lengthy Prison Terms for Violent Crimes Including the Death of One-Year-Old Davell Gardner Jr.

Defendants Were Engaged in Gang War with Rival Street Gang;

Responsible for Three Murders and Six Shootings in Which the Victims Survived

Brooklyn District Attorney Eric Gonzalez today announced that three defendants variously convicted in a series of gang-related homicides and shootings, including the shooting death of Davell Gardner Jr., who was just 22 months old when he was shot and killed during a cookout in Bedford-Stuyvesant, have been sentenced to lengthy prison terms. A fourth defendant will be sentenced at a later date.

District Attorney Gonzalez said, “Today’s lengthy sentences must send a message to those engaged in gun violence that it will not be tolerated in Brooklyn. Senseless gang rivalries perpetrated by these defendants left six people injured and three people dead, including Davell Gardner Jr., who was shot in the abdomen. Little Davell never got to celebrate his second birthday. My heart breaks for his mother and father and all the families and victims affected by such devastating gun violence. I commend my prosecutors and the NYPD for their determination to bring these defendants to justice.”

The District Attorney identified the defendants as Travis Scott, 36, of Bedford-Stuyvesant; Dashawn Austin, 28, of Canarsie; Jayquan Lane, 31, of Bedford-Stuyvesant; and Akeem Artis, 27, of Bedford-Stuyvesant. The defendants were variously convicted of first-degree manslaughter, second-degree murder, and other charges (see defendant addendum) following a six-month jury trial before Brooklyn Supreme Court Justice Danny Chun. The defendants were sentenced today by Justice Chun as follows: Scott was sentenced to 40 years to life in prison; Austin was sentenced to 50 years to life in prison; Artis was sentenced to 40 years in prison; Lane’s sentencing was adjourned to June 18, 2024.

The District Attorney said that, according to the evidence, the defendants are members of a violent street gang known as Hoolies, primarily based in and around the Roosevelt Housing Development in Bedford-Stuyvesant. The evidence presented at trial showed that the reason for Hoolies to commit acts of violence include retaliation against rival gangs and to display the gang’s strength.

Between May 2018 and May 2021, the Hoolies territory included 721 Willoughby Avenue and 303 Vernon Avenue, as well as the New York City Housing Authority Roosevelt Houses development and the surrounding area from Kosciuszko Street to Pulaski Street in between Marcus Garvey Boulevard to Stuyvesant Avenue.

The District Attorney said that, according to the evidence, on July 12, 2020, Dashawn Austin was seen entering the passenger seat of an Audi driven by Akeem Artis that turned on to Madison Street, near a park where there was a cookout. Austin fired into the park, striking Davell Gardner Jr., 22 months old, who later died, and three other people. Austin was convicted of second-degree murder and Artis was convicted of first-degree manslaughter for that shooting death. Austin was convicted of three counts of second-degree attempted murder and Artis was convicted of three counts of first-degree attempted assault in connection with the other three innocent victims struck in the park shooting. Artis was also convicted of one count of second-degree attempted murder in connection with a June 24, 2020, shooting.

Furthermore, according to the evidence, on March 3, 2020, Dashawn Austin and Jayquan Lane entered the Kinanm Lounge on Atlantic Avenue where alleged gang rival Janile Whitted was in attendance. They followed him when he left the lounge, and Austin fired several shots into his chest at close range, killing him. Austin and Lane were convicted of second-degree murder in that shooting death.

Travis Scott was also convicted of second-degree murder for the December 4, 2018 shooting death of Tyree Walker, 35, who was not a rival, as he walked towards his home on Myrtle Avenue, and of second-degree attempted murder for shooting and paralyzing a 23-year-old man that same night.

The case was prosecuted by Executive Assistant District Attorney and Chief of Staff Nicole L. Chavis, Executive Assistant District Attorney for the Trial Division Joseph P. Alexis, and Senior Assistant District Attorneys Michael Diamond and Fabiola Marrufo, of the District Attorneys Violent Criminal Enterprises Bureau.

DEFENDANT ADDENDUM:

Akeem Artis

• • Manslaughter in the 1^st
  • Assault in the 1^st – 3 counts
  • Attempt Murder in the 2^nd
  • Reckless Endangerment in the 1^st
  • Criminal Possession of a Weapon in the 2^nd – Intent
  • Criminal Possession of a Weapon in the 2^nd – Outside the home or place of business
  • Conspiracy in the 4^th

Jayquan Lane

• • Murder in the 2^nd degree
  • Criminal Possession of a Weapon in the 2^nd – Intent
  • Criminal Possession of a Weapon in the 2^nd – Outside the home or place of business
  • Conspiracy in the 2^nd
  • Conspiracy in the 4^th

Travis Scott

• • Murder in the Second degree
  • Attempt Murder in the Second Degree
  • Criminal Possession of a Weapon in the 2^nd – Intent ( 2 counts)
  • Criminal Possession of a Weapon in the 2^nd – Outside the home or place of business (2 Count)
  • Conspiracy in the 2^nd
  • Conspiracy in the 4^th

Dashawn Austin

• • Murder in the 2^nd(2 counts)
  • Attempted Murder in the 2^nd (3 counts)
  • Reckless Endangerment in the 1^st
  • Criminal Possession of a Weapon in the 2^nd – Intent (2 Count)
  • Criminal Possession of a Weapon in the 2^nd – Outside the home or place of business (2 Counts)
  • Conspiracy in the 2^nd
  • Conspiracy in the 4^th

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Friday, May 3, 2024

Brooklyn Man Sentenced to 19 Years in Prison

for Shooting and Wounding New York City Police Officer

Defendant Shot Officer Trying to Handcuff Him While Responding to Domestic Dispute

Brooklyn District Attorney Eric Gonzalez today announced that a Bronx man has been sentenced to 19 years in prison following his guilty plea to second-degree attempted murder for opening fire on New York City Police Officers in 2022. The defendant fired one shot, striking an officer in the foot, and fired additional shots at officers.

District Attorney Gonzalez said, “Police Officers put their lives on the line every day while responding to all kinds of disputes. Luckily Officer Orlando Adorno, and the other responding officers, were not seriously injured or killed by this defendant’s decision to open fire on police. Today’s lengthy sentence holds him accountable for his actions.”

The District Attorney identified the defendant as Raheen Joye, 43, of the Bronx. He was sentenced today by Brooklyn Supreme Court Justice Jane Tully to 19 years in prison and five years’ post-release supervision. The defendant pleaded guilty to second-degree attempted murder on April 10, 2024.

The District Attorney said that on December 21, 2022, at approximately 8:00 a.m., inside of an apartment at 277 Gates Avenue, in Bedford-Stuyvesant, Brooklyn, the defendant and his girlfriend had an argument, and the defendant kicked a hole in the wall. The girlfriend then called 911.

At approximately 8:50 a.m., police responding to the 911 call were met by the girlfriend and the defendant in front of the building. Police interviewed both individuals, and the defendant admitted to kicking a hole in the wall. When told he was going to be arrested, the defendant tried to run and Police Officers Orlando Adorno, Angel Valenzuela, and Gina Williams Gordon, tried to subdue him. The defendant resisted and pulled a blue gun out of his pocket and fired one shot, hitting Officer Adorno’s foot. The defendant then fled down Gates Avenue toward Bedford Avenue with police in pursuit.

While never losing sight of the defendant, police observed the defendant holding a blue handgun while fleeing towards Monroe Street. On Monroe Street, two other police officers pursued the defendant, who ran towards Police Officer Christopher Bowie. The defendant pointed his gun toward Police Officers Bowie and Alexander Bido. Gunfire was exchanged between the defendant and police. The defendant was shot and fell to the ground, where the defendant shot at Police Officer Bowie and Bido before dropping the blue handgun to the ground and being apprehended.

Officer Adorno was treated for a gunshot wound to the foot and Officer Valenzuela was treated for injuries to the ankle.

The defendant was taken to Methodist Hospital and treated for two gunshot wounds to the leg.

The case was prosecuted by Senior Assistant District Attorney Aleena Peerzada, of the District Attorney’s Blue Zone Trial Bureau, under the supervision of Assistant District Attorney Kin Ng, Chief of the Blue Zone.

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Thursday, May 2, 2024

Brooklyn Man Convicted of Selling Exotic Animal Body Parts 

Defendant Sold Mounted Cougar Head, Other Items, to Undercover Officer

Brooklyn District Attorney Eric Gonzalez and New York State Department of Environmental Conservation Interim Commissioner Sean Mahar today announced that a Brooklyn man pleaded guilty to violating New York State Environmental Conservation Law by selling a prohibited wild animal part – a cougar head – to an undercover officer. The defendant additionally turned over other prohibited contraband in his possession under the terms of the plea.

District Attorney Gonzalez said, “We’re committed to stopping the illegal wildlife trade in our communities, and by prosecuting cases like this, we’re not just enforcing the law—we’re sending a strong message that protecting endangered species from harm is a priority. I appreciate our strong partnership with the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation and the hard work of our prosecutors in securing this conviction.”

Interim Commissioner Mahar said, “Cracking down on the illegal wildlife trade in New York State helps save the lives of animals often targeted by brutal poachers. DEC’s Division of Law Enforcement explores every tip, chases down all leads, and fully investigates claims regarding the international illegal wildlife trade and its facilitators in New York State to ensure lawbreakers are held accountable for their crimes and animals are protected. DEC is proud to work with our partners in the Brooklyn District Attorney’s Office and advance this investigation that led to a successful prosecution.”

The District Attorney identified the defendant as Usher Weiss, 26, of Borough Park, Brooklyn. He pleaded guilty today to violating Environmental Conservation Laws before Brooklyn Criminal Court Judge Dale Fong-Frederick. Under the terms of the plea agreement, he was ordered to pay a $5,000 fine and to surrender the additional contraband in his possession.

The District Attorney said that, according to the investigation, on November 2, 2023, at approximately 8:15 p.m., an undercover investigator for the NYS DEC met the defendant at a building on 49^th Street in Borough Park. In the basement of the building the undercover gave the defendant $900 in exchange for a cougar head mount. The defendant then offered the undercover a full cheetah head mount for $10,000.

Furthermore, according to the investigation, on December 5, 2023, at approximately 8:30 p.m., the undercover met the defendant at a building on 53^rd Street in Borough Park. The defendant handed the undercover a cheetah head mount, the skull of a big cat, the skin of a pinniped pup, and a bird mount.

Finally, according to the investigation, Weiss had several other illegal items in his possession in violation of the Environmental Conservation Law, including: a full alligator taxidermy, a tiger skin, a cheetah skin, and an elephant foot. He bought the items on websites, including Craigslist and OfferUp, and surrendered the items to the DEC last month.

The District Attorney thanked the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC), Division of Law Enforcement, specifically Captain Sara Komonchak, Captain Jesse Paluch, Lieutenant George Wilber and the investigators involved, for bringing about this investigation.

The case was prosecuted by Senior Assistant District Attorney Jessica White, of the District Attorney’s Frauds Bureau, under the supervision of Assistant District Attorney Pamela J. Murray, Deputy Chief of the Frauds Bureau, Assistant District Attorney Gregory Pavlides, Chief of the Frauds Bureau, 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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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Wednesday, May 1, 2024

Brooklyn Man Who Allegedly Punched Woman in Random,

Unprovoked Attack Indicted for Felony Assault

Victim Suffered Broken Jaw

Brooklyn District Attorney Eric Gonzalez today announced that a 33-year-old man from Crown Heights, Brooklyn has been indicted for felony assault and related charges for allegedly punching a 57-year-old woman in the face unexpectedly and with no provocation, breaking her jaw.

District Attorney Gonzalez said, “Random attacks against strangers, especially women, are beyond senseless and completely unacceptable. A grand jury that heard all the evidence returned an indictment for felony assault and we will now seek to hold the defendant accountable, so he will not repeat this outrageous and criminal conduct.”

The District Attorney identified the defendant as Franz Jeudy, 33, of Crown Heights, Brooklyn. He was arraigned today before Brooklyn Supreme Court Justice Matthew Sciarrino on an indictment charging him with second-degree assault, attempted second-degree assault, third-degree assault, and related counts. He remains on supervised release (The DA’s Office requested $25,000 cash bail or $50,000 bond) and was ordered to return to court on July 2, 2024. The defendant is facing a maximum sentence of seven years in prison if convicted of the top count.

The District Attorney said that on March 26, 2024, at about 5 p.m., the victim, a 57-year-old woman from Crown Heights, who was heading home from her work as a school bus driver, was walking on Grand Avenue near Atlantic Avenue in Crown Heights.

She walked by the defendant, a stranger, who allegedly punched her in the face unexpectedly and without any provocation or words being exchanged between them beforehand. The victim ran to a nearby restaurant where her brother works and pointed out the defendant to him. The brother chased the defendant for several blocks and held the defendant until police officers arrived.

The victim was transported to New York Presbyterian Methodist Hospital. She suffered fractures to both sides of her jaw and lost multiple teeth. The case was initially charged as a misdemeanor assault but, after a review of the circumstances and the extent of injuries, the charges were upgraded to a felony.

The case is being prosecuted by Senior Assistant District Attorney Matthew Barg, of the District Attorney’s Orange Zone Trial Bureau, under the supervision of Assistant District Attorneys Michael Trabulsi, Iris Das and Linda Hristova, Deputy Bureau Chiefs, and the overall supervision of Assistant District Attorney Danielle Eaddy, Bureau Chief.

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

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Monday, April 29, 2024

East Flatbush Man Indicted for Murder of Neighbor’s Three-Year-Old Son

Defendant Allegedly Lured Toddler to Vacant Apartment Before Beating and Drowning Death

Brooklyn District Attorney Eric Gonzalez today announced that a Brooklyn man has been arraigned on an indictment in which he is charged with second-degree murder and kidnapping for the alleged beating and drowning death of a three-year-old boy. The child’s mother had left the boy in the care of the defendant’s stepfather, a next-door neighbor, when the defendant allegedly lured the child into a vacant apartment next door and killed him.

District Attorney Gonzalez said, “Denim Brown was an innocent child whose life ended in unthinkable violence, allegedly at the hands of this defendant. We are determined to see that this defendant is held responsible for this crime. Our hearts are with the boy’s mother and loved ones as they grieve this horrific loss.”

The District Attorney identified the defendant as Kevin James, 29, of 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, two counts of first-degree manslaughter, first-degree kidnapping, second-degree kidnapping, first-degree assault, and luring a child. The defendant was ordered held without bail and to return to court on June 20, 2024. He 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 March 17, 2024, the mother of three-year-old Denim Brown left him in the care of the defendant’s stepfather. The families live in the same building on New York Avenue in East Flatbush and the stepfather frequently babysat for the boy. At approximately 7 p.m., the defendant was allegedly seen leaving his family’s fourth-floor apartment with Brown.

Furthermore, according to the evidence, when the stepfather realized the boy was missing, he and other family members began to frantically search the building for him. At approximately 9:30 p.m., Brown was found face down in a bathtub full of water inside a vacant apartment down the hall.

The child, who showed signs of being severely beaten, was rushed to Kings County Hospital where he was pronounced dead.

Furthermore, according to the investigation, the defendant’s credit card was allegedly discovered inside the vacant apartment near the boy’s body.

An autopsy by the Office of the New York City Medical Examiner concluded that Brown’s cause of death was drowning with a contributing factor of blunt force trauma to the head and body.

The case is being prosecuted by Senior Assistant District Attorney Daniel Newcombe, of the District Attorney’s Special Victims Bureau, under the supervision of Assistant District Attorney Olatokunbo Olaniyan, First Deputy Bureau Chief, and 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

Tuesday, April 23, 2024

Brooklyn Man Sentenced to Life in Prison for Armed Robbery and Shooting Spree in East Williamsburg That Left One Dead, One Injured

Defendant Convicted of First- and Second-Degree Murder Following Jury Trial 

Brooklyn District Attorney Eric Gonzalez today announced that a Boerum Hill man has been sentenced to life in prison without parole for fatally shooting a man and wounding another during an armed robbery spree in East Williamsburg in 2021. The defendant was convicted of first- and second-degree murder, as well as numerous other charges.

District Attorney Gonzalez said, “This was a vicious crime spree that left a trail of terror and trauma to multiple victims, including a father of three who did not survive being shot by the defendant. With today’s sentence, the defendant has been held accountable for his actions. We will never tolerate such violence in Brooklyn.”

The District Attorney identified the defendant as Ramel Chapman, 32, of Boerum Hill, Brooklyn. He was sentenced today by Brooklyn Supreme Court Justice Eugene Guarino to life in prison without the possibility of parole. He was convicted of first-degree murder, two counts of second-degree murder, four counts of first-degree robbery, and three counts of second-degree criminal possession of a weapon on February 14, 2024, following a jury trial.

The District Attorney said that, according to the evidence, on June 13, 2021, at approximately 12:39 a.m., at 200 Morgan Avenue, in East Williamsburg, Sean Robinson, 33, of Stamford, Connecticut, and his friend, a 38-year-old man, were hanging out after attending a party and were targeted by the defendant. Robinson was sitting in his Ford Mustang convertible when the defendant approached him, pointed a 9-millimeter handgun at him and yelled, “This ain’t no joke, give me your sh-t!” The defendant grabbed Robinson, shot him once in the chest and ripped two gold chains from his neck. The defendant then approached the second man, who was standing on the other side of the car, pistol-whipped him in the face, and ripped a gold chain from his neck.

Furthermore, according to the evidence, the defendant then ran to the corner of Stagg Street and Morgan Avenue, where a third victim was standing by his Dodge vehicle. The defendant pointed the handgun at the man and asked, “Do you want some too, big man?” At that point, the third victim retreated. The defendant then entered the vehicle and stole money, marijuana, and keys to the vehicle.

From there, according to the evidence, the defendant went to The Anchored Inn, a bar located three blocks away. Video surveillance captured the defendant examining the robbery proceeds. The defendant then left and headed home in a Lyft. Cell site records and video surveillance track the defendant traveling from the bar back to his home in Boerum Hill.

Robinson, a father of three who was engaged to marry his fiancé, was pronounced dead at Woodhull Medical Center. Testimony showed a bullet tore through his rib cage and right lung before it penetrated his heart and lodged in his spine.

The defendant, who was on parole, was identified on surveillance footage by two of his parole officers. He was arrested on July 27, 2021.

The case was prosecuted by Senior Assistant District Attorney Jhounelle Cunningham, of the District Attorney’s Homicide Bureau, and Senior Assistant District Attorney Nallely Duarte, of the Grey Zone Trial Bureau, under the supervision of Assistant District Attorney Leila Rosini, Homicide Bureau Chief.

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Tuesday, April 23, 2024

Burglar Who Broke into Gargiulo’s Restaurant in Coney Island

Sentenced to up to 8 Years in Prison

Caught on Camera Stealing Approximately $100,000 from Safe;

Re-Arrested After Jumping Bail

Brooklyn District Attorney Eric Gonzalez today announced that a Brooklyn man has been sentenced to up to eight years in prison after breaking into Gargiulo’s Restaurant in Coney Island and stealing approximately $100,000 from a safe. The defendant failed to appear in court after being released on bail. He was rearrested after an alleged break-in on the Lower East Side. He pleaded guilty to second-degree grand larceny and second-degree bail jumping in March.

District Attorney Gonzalez said, “Beyond breaking into Gargiulo’s, a beloved Coney Island landmark for more than a century, this defendant is a serial burglar who has shown that he will continue to commit crimes if he remains at large, necessitating today’s prison sentence. My office is committed to protecting the property of everyone in Brooklyn and to holding offenders to account.”

The District Attorney identified the defendant as Luis Mercado, 34, of Coney Island. He was sentenced today by Brooklyn Supreme Court Justice Joanne Quinones to two concurrent prison terms of four to eight years and one-and-a-half to three years in a jail, following his guilty plea on March 11, 2024, to second-degree grand larceny and second-degree bail jumping.

The District Attorney said that, according to the evidence, on June 29, 2022, at about 2 a.m., the owner of Gargiulo’s Restaurant located at 2911 West 15^th Street in Coney Island, was alerted that the alarm had been activated. About $100,000 in cash was missing from the safe in a back office and video surveillance captured the defendant and an accomplice breaking into the building. The defendant and the accomplice, who were wearing black clothing, gloves, and blue surgical masks, then fled through a side door towards West 15th Street and down Mermaid Avenue.

Furthermore, according to the evidence, detectives from the New York City Police Department’s 60th Precinct recovered video surveillance from numerous locations in the area that tracked the defendant and the accomplice as they traveled from the defendant’s home at 2760 West 33^rd Street to Gargiulo’s and back to 2760 West 33^rd Street. At that point, according to the evidence, the defendant entered the building’s elevator. He is then shown on camera removing the blue surgical mask covering his face.

The defendant was arrested on July 6, 2022, and indicted on charges of second-degree grand larceny and third-degree burglary.

After the defendant failed to appear in court on August 22, 2023, a bench warrant was issued. The defendant was subsequently arrested on September 12, 2023, for allegedly burglarizing a Lower East Side nightclub, and returned to Brooklyn. On January 31, 2024, the defendant was rearrested and charged with second-degree bail jumping.

The District Attorney thanked the NYPD’s 60^th Precinct Detective Squad, Supervising Paralegal Aneudy Mata, and Paralegal Andy Wang for their assistance on the case.

The case was prosecuted by Senior Assistant District Attorney Danyelle Shapiro and Assistant District Attorney Adam Ghalmi, of the District Attorney’s Green Zone Trial Bureau, under the supervision of Assistant District Attorney Michael Boykin, Deputy Bureau Chief, and under the overall supervision of Assistant District Attorney Frank DeGaetano, Bureau Chief.

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Tuesday, April 16, 2024

Four Hoolie Gang Members Variously Convicted in Multiple Shootings, Including the Death of One-Year-Old Davell Gardner Jr. in Bed-Stuy  

Defendants Were Engaged in Gang War with Rival Street Gang

Brooklyn District Attorney Eric Gonzalez today announced that four defendants have been convicted in a series of gang-related homicides and shootings, including the shooting death of Davell Gardner Jr., who was just 22 months old when he was shot and killed during a cookout in Bedford-Stuyvesant. The defendants were convicted following a six-month jury trial.

District Attorney Gonzalez said, “Today’s verdict sends a clear message that Brooklyn’s streets will not be playgrounds for gang wars. The reckless bloodshed perpetrated by these individuals not only robbed the innocent Davell Gardner, Jr., of a future but has also left an indelible scar on our community. These defendants will be held accountable for their horrific crimes, and my office stands unwavering in our fight against the scourge of gang violence in our neighborhoods. I commend the outstanding prosecutors in my office who tried this complex and lengthy case and thank the NYPD for their excellent work.”

The District Attorney identified the defendants as Travis Scott, of Bedford-Stuyvesant, Dashawn Austin, of Canarsie, Jayquan Lane, of Bedford-Stuyvesant, and Akeem Artis of Bedford-Stuyvesant. Scott, Austin and Lane were variously convicted today of second-degree murder, second-degree attempted murder, first-degree reckless endangerment, second-degree criminal possession of a weapon, and second- and fourth-degree conspiracy following a six-month jury trial before Brooklyn Supreme Court Justice Danny Chun. Artis was convicted of first-degree manslaughter, second-degree attempted murder, second-degree criminal possession of a weapon, fourth-degree conspiracy, and first-degree reckless endangerment. Sentencing was set for May 1, 2024 for Artis and May 8, 2024 for the other defendants.

The District Attorney said that, according to the evidence, the defendants are members of a violent street gang known as Hoolies, primarily based in and around the Roosevelt Housing Development in Bedford-Stuyvesant. The evidence presented at trial showed that the reason for Hoolies to commit acts of violence include retaliation against rival gangs and to display the gang’s strength.

Between May 2018 and May 2021, the Hoolies territory included 721 Willoughby Avenue and 303 Vernon Avenue, as well as the New York City Housing Authority Roosevelt Houses development and the surrounding area from Kosciuszko Street to Pulaski Street in between Marcus Garvey Boulevard to Stuyvesant Avenue.

The District Attorney said that, according to the evidence, on July 12, 2020, Dashawn Austin was seen entering the passenger seat of an Audi driven by Akeem Artis that turned on to Madison Street, near a park where there was a cookout. Austin fired into the park, striking Davell Gardner Jr., 22 months old, who later died, and three other people. Austin was convicted of second-degree murder and Artis was convicted of first-degree manslaughter for that shooting death. Austin was convicted of three counts of second-degree attempted murder and Artis was convicted of three counts of first-degree attempted assault in connection with the other three innocent victims struck in the park shooting. Artis was also convicted of one count of second-degree attempted murder in connection with a June 24, 2020 shooting.

Furthermore, according to the evidence, on March 3, 2020, Dashawn Austin and Jayquan Lane entered the Kinanm Lounge on Atlantic Avenue where alleged gang rival Janile Whitted was in attendance. They followed him when he left the lounge, and Austin fired several shots into his chest at close range, killing him. Austin and Lane were convicted of second-degree murder in that shooting death.

Travis Scott was also convicted of second-degree murder for the December 4, 2018 shooting death of Tyree Walker, 35, who was not a rival, as he walked towards his home on Myrtle Avenue, and of second-degree attempted murder for shooting and paralyzing a 23-year-old man that same night.

The case was prosecuted by Executive Assistant District Attorney and Chief of Staff Nicole L. Chavis, Executive Assistant District Attorney for the Trial Division Joseph P. Alexis, and Senior Assistant District Attorneys Michael Diamond and Fabiola Marrufo, of the District Attorneys Violent Criminal Enterprises Bureau.