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Friday, December 15, 2023

Brooklyn Woman Sentenced to 15 Years in Prison for

 Death of 9-year-old Daughter in Crown Heights Apartment

Child Died Trying to Escape Beating by Defendant, Hid Under Bed that Collapsed on Her

Brooklyn District Attorney Eric Gonzalez today announced that a Brooklyn woman has been sentenced to 15 years in prison for beating her 9-year-old daughter, Shalom Guifarro, to death in the family’s apartment in Crown Heights. The defendant pleaded guilty to manslaughter in October.

District Attorney Gonzalez said, “The life of an innocent young girl was tragically and horrifically cut short at the hands of her own mother. Hopefully today’s sentence allows for some closure for all who were deeply affected by this heart wrenching case.”

The District Attorney identified the defendant as Shemene Cato, 50, of Crown Heights, Brooklyn. She was sentenced today by Brooklyn Supreme Court Justice Donald Leo to 15 years in prison. The defendant pleaded guilty to first-degree manslaughter on October 26, 2023.

The District Attorney said that, according to the evidence, on May 15, 2022, at approximately 8 a.m., inside the family’s fourth-floor apartment, located at 571 Lincoln Place, the defendant beat Shalom and another daughter, 13, with an electrical cord and a broom during an argument over a missing tablet. The beating lasted for approximately two hours. At one point, Shalom tried to escape the defendant by crawling under a bed. The defendant then lifted the bed and attempted to pull Shalom out from under it. According to the evidence, the defendant then dropped the bed, causing the leg to fall off, and the bed to fall on Shalom’s head.

Furthermore, according to the evidence, the defendant called 911 at 1 p.m., and EMS responded and performed CPR on Shalom, who was pronounced dead at 1:21 p.m. The Office of the Chief Medical Examiner later determined that the child suffered multiple blunt force impact injuries to her head, face, and body. The cause of death was blunt force trauma. The defendant’s 13-year-old daughter was taken to Brooklyn Hospital and treated for lacerations and contusions over her lower body.

The District Attorney thanked Special Victims Bureau Supervising Paralegal Melissa Palmaccio and Discovery Paralegal Julia Holman for their assistance on this case.

The case was prosecuted by Assistant District Attorney Linda Weinman, Counsel to the District Attorney’s Special Victims Bureau, and Senior Assistant District Attorney Kathleen Simpson, also of the Special Victims Bureau, under the supervision of Assistant District Attorney Miss Gregory, Bureau Chief.

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Thursday, December 14, 2023

Brooklyn Lawyer Indicted for Allegedly Stealing

Nearly $1.5 Million from Three Clients

Allegedly Kept Home Sale Proceeds and Estate Funds

Brooklyn District Attorney Eric Gonzalez today announced that Brooklyn lawyer Salvatore Strazzullo has been arraigned on an indictment charging him with stealing close to $1.5 million from three clients he represented in real estate and estate proceedings.

District Attorney Gonzalez said, “Attorneys have an ethical duty to protect their clients’ interests, and we will hold accountable those who use their trusted position to steal from Brooklyn residents. The defendant in this case is a lawyer who allegedly betrayed his clients and failed to provide them with their money. Instead, he is accused of violating the trust of vulnerable individuals and using their funds to pay creditors and other expenses.”

The District Attorney identified the defendant as Salvatore Strazzullo, 51, whose law office is located in Bensonhurst, Brooklyn. He was arraigned today before Brooklyn Supreme Court Justice Rhonda Tomlinson on an indictment in which he is charged with one count of first-degree grand larceny, two counts of second-degree grand larceny and one count of first-degree scheme to defraud. The defendant was released without bail and ordered to return to court on January 17, 2024.

The District Attorney said that, according to the investigation, the defendant represented a 79-year-old woman on the sale of her house on 67^th Street in Bensonhurst. The proceeds of the sale were over $1.2 million. After the closing in September 2023, the client asked that the defendant give her the money, but he allegedly made excuses, claimed there were various delays and, to date, has not turned over her funds.

It is further alleged that the defendant represented another client, an 80-year-old man, on the sale of his property on 13^th Avenue in Borough Park. The closing was in July 2022. In July of this year, the client requested that the defendant provide him with the balance of the sale proceeds, approximately $170,000. The defendant allegedly made excuses, stalled, delayed and, to date, has not turned over that money.

Finally, it is alleged that the defendant represented a 52-year-old woman in Surrogate’s Court proceedings pertaining to her husband’s estate. The defendant held the estate funds in his attorney escrow account and disbursed some of the assets to the client, who is the administrator and sole inheritor of the estate. Starting in May 2023, the client repeatedly asked that the defendant disburse approximately $96,000 that remained in the account, but he allegedly made excuses, stalled, delayed and, to date, has not turned over those funds.

The investigation revealed that much of the funds that were entrusted to the defendant by the three victims were allegedly used to pay creditors or to pay expenses that had no connection to the clients’ legal matters.

People who believe they have been victimized by this defendant are encouraged to contact the Brooklyn District Attorney’s Action Center at 718-250-2340 or to send an email to StrazzulloComplaints@brooklynda.org.

            Supervising Financial Investigator Susan Ryan, of the District Attorney’s Asset Forfeiture and Crimes Against Revenue Bureau, Paralegal Sheila Jones and Intelligence Analyst Yacelys Corona, both of the District Attorney’s Investigations Division, and a Detective Investigator all assisted in the investigation.

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

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Tuesday, December 12, 2023

Long Island Man Indicted for Sex Trafficking of Teenage Girl

Defendant Also Charged with Promoting Prostitution of 26-Year-Old Woman

Brooklyn District Attorney Eric Gonzalez today announced that a man has been arraigned on an indictment in which he is charged with sex trafficking of a child and other charges for allegedly forcing a 15-year-old girl to engage in prostitution.

District Attorney Gonzalez said, “This defendant allegedly exploited a vulnerable teenager to engage in prostitution over several days before she was able to escape. I am deeply committed to bringing to justice individuals who prey on troubled and at-risk young people, and we will now seek to hold this defendant accountable.”

The District Attorney identified the defendant as Terrence Reid, a.k.a. Chinchilla, 43, of Hempstead, New York. He was arraigned today before Brooklyn Supreme Court Justice Danny Chun on an indictment in which he is charged with sex trafficking of a child, sex trafficking, attempted sex trafficking, second-, third-, and fourth-degree promoting prostitution, and endangering the welfare of a child. The defendant was ordered held without bail and to return to court on January 31, 2024. He faces up to 25 years in prison if convicted of the top count.

The District Attorney said that, according to the investigation, in early 2022 the defendant messaged the 15-year-old victim on Instagram, and they messaged back and forth for a few days.

In May 2023, the 15-year-old, who was going through challenges at home, allegedly agreed to meet with the defendant, who picked her up at her aunt’s home in Brooklyn.

The defendant then allegedly took the 15-year-old and a 26-year-old woman to a hotel in East Orange, New Jersey, had semi-nude photos of them taken, and posted them online on a website used for prostitution. The older woman then allegedly began engaging in prostitution at the hotel. After a few days, it is alleged, the defendant drove both females to a hotel on Jamaica Avenue in Queens, where they rented a room.

The defendant then allegedly drove them to a prostitution street track on Pennsylvania Avenue in the 75th Precinct, where they were allegedly forced to walk the track all night until about 7 a.m. the following morning.

The 15-year-old allegedly engaged in numerous acts of prostitution while walking the “Penn Track” from May 22 to May 25, 2023. The defendant allegedly imposed a $300 a day quota on both women, warning them “it would be a problem” if they did not meet the quota.

Furthermore, it is alleged, on May 25, 2023, while on the “Penn Track,” the 15-year-old was allegedly assaulted and robbed by a man who paid to have sex with her. When she told the defendant what happened, he allegedly screamed at her and ordered her to get back on the track.

Finally, it is alleged, while everyone was sleeping at the hotel in Queens, the 15-year-old sneaked out of the room, got in a taxi and reported the incidents to her case worker.

The case was investigated by New York City Police Department Detective Courtney Thorpe of the New York City Police Department’s Human Trafficking Squad, under the supervision of Sergeant Kevin Kavanagh, Lieutenant Amy Capogna and Captain Thomas Milano.

The case is being prosecuted by Assistant District Attorney David Weiss, Chief of the District Attorney’s Human Trafficking Unit, with the assistance of Paralegal Specialist Aurora Martinez, under the supervision of Assistant District Attorney Miss Gregory, Chief of the District Attorney’s Special Victims Bureau.

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

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Friday, December 8, 2023

Brooklyn Man Sentenced to 55 Years to Life for Shooting Death of Innocent Mother of Four, Attempted Murder of Two Men

Victim was Walking Home from Work When She was Struck by Stray Bullet

Brooklyn District Attorney Eric Gonzalez today announced that a Brooklyn man has been sentenced to 55 years to life in prison for the shooting death of a woman in Crown Heights as she was walking home from work. The defendant was firing at two men during the incident, including a 30-year-old man who was struck in the arm.

District Attorney Gonzalez said, “Limose Thomas, an innocent mother of four, had her life taken from her when this defendant coldly opened fire on a crowded street filled with pedestrians and bystanders, including young children, on a summer evening. My heart goes out to her family and friends, who hopefully find a measure of solace with today’s sentence.”

The District Attorney identified the defendant as Oliver Case, 31, of East New York, Brooklyn. He was sentenced today by Brooklyn Supreme Court Justice Vincent Del Giudice to 55 years to life in prison. The defendant was convicted of second-degree murder and two counts of second-degree attempted murder on November 2, 2023, following a jury trial.

The District Attorney said that, according to the evidence, on August 19, 2021, at approximately 8:30 p.m., in the vicinity of 1525 Saint Johns Place in Crown Heights, the defendant opened fire on two men he was chasing, firing 10 shots. As the defendant chased one of the men, the defendant struck the man in his arm and also shot an innocent bystander, Limose Thomas, 54, who was walking home from work. She was struck once in the back when she attempted to run for safety.

The defendant was arrested on November 16, 2021, following an investigation.

The case was prosecuted by Senior Assistant District Attorney Daphney Gachette, of the District Attorney’s Homicide Bureau, and Senior Assistant District Attorney Stephanie Quon, of the District Attorney’s Orange Zone Trial Bureau, under the supervision of Assistant District Attorney Leila Rosini, Chief of the Homicide Bureau.

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Tuesday, December 5, 2023

Brooklyn Man Sentenced to 25 Years to Life in Prison for

Execution Style Murder in Crown Heights

Shot Victim in the Head; Evidence Included Video Surveillance

Brooklyn District Attorney Eric Gonzalez today announced that a Brooklyn man has been sentenced to 25 years to life in prison for fatally gunning down another man in Crown Heights.

District Attorney Gonzalez said, “The defendant in this case coldly executed another man by shooting him in the head. After a robust investigation and a thorough prosecution, he has now been held accountable for this crime. Acts of gun violence in Brooklyn will always lead to severe consequences.”

The District Attorney identified the defendant as Rennie Patterson, 22, of Crown Heights, Brooklyn. He was sentenced today by Brooklyn Supreme Court Justice Eugene Guarino to 25 years to life in prison following his conviction in September 2023 of second-degree murder and two counts of second-degree criminal possession of a weapon.

The District Attorney said that, according to the evidence, on December 16, 2017, at approximately 1:40 a.m., the defendant shot and killed John Barnes, 32, in front of 1339 Saint John’s Place. Video surveillance captured the defendant leaving a building next door to his residence, about 10 blocks away, along with a friend, and tracked them walking to the scene.

Seconds after confronting the victim, who the two spotted driving in his car, the defendant pulled out a gun and fired two shots, striking the victim twice in the head. The defendant and his friend immediately fled and were seen running back into their respective homes. The evidence showed that the friend and the victim got into a physical fight and had to be separated a few days before the incident.

The defendant was arrested on July 11, 2018.

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

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Tuesday, December 5, 2023

Brooklyn Woman Indicted for Grand Larceny
For Stealing Approximately $157,000 in Section 8 Subsidies

Defendant Allegedly Used Another Person’s Social Security Number to Conceal Income,
Employment from NYCHA While Collecting Rent Assistance for Crown Heights Home

Brooklyn District Attorney Eric Gonzalez, together with New York City Department of Investigation Commissioner Jocelyn E. Strauber, today announced that a Brooklyn woman has been indicted for grand larceny for allegedly obtaining more than $157,000 in Section 8 rent subsidies to which she was not entitled. As part of the alleged decade-long fraud, the defendant used another person’s Social Security number to conceal her employment and income from the New York City Housing Authority while collecting rent assistance vouchers for a two-bedroom apartment in Crown Heights.

District Attorney Gonzalez said, “For over a decade – and at a time when affordable housing in Brooklyn is increasingly scarce – this defendant allegedly lied about her income and employment to obtain thousands of dollars annually in rent subsidies to which she was not entitled. In doing so, she stole precious resources intended to help low-income New Yorkers find housing, and we will now seek to hold her accountable for that. I want to thank DOI and the Social Security Administration-Office of the Inspector General for their assistance in this case.”

Commissioner Strauber said, “For over a decade, this defendant made false statements about her employment and income to NYCHA in order to obtain more than $155,000 in Section 8 benefits she was not entitled to and provided NYCHA with someone else’s Social Security number to avoid detection, according to the charges. Theft of housing benefits diverts these important public resources from New Yorkers who are in need, and who qualify for them.  I thank NYCHA and the Office of the Inspector General for the United States Social Security Administration for their assistance in this investigation; and the Brooklyn District Attorney’s Office for its partnership in protecting New York City’s affordable housing.”

The District Attorney identified the defendant as Luzmila Corbin, 56, of Crown Heights, Brooklyn. She was arraigned today before Brooklyn Supreme Court Justice Dineen Riviezzo on an indictment in which she is charged with first-degree identity theft, second-degree grand larceny, first-degree falsifying business records and 17 counts of first-degree offering a false instrument for filing. She was released without bail and ordered to return to court on February 7, 2024.

The District Attorney said that, according to the investigation, the defendant started receiving rental-assistance vouchers, known as Section 8, in February 2001. The defendant used the vouchers to rent a two-bedroom apartment on Rochester Avenue in Crown Heights. From 2009 to 2021, it is alleged the defendant claimed to be unemployed in her annual Affidavit of Income submitted to the New York City Housing Authority. In reality, however, the defendant was allegedly working as a food services aide at New York City Health and Hospitals where she made $34,000 to $59,000 a year.

Furthermore, according to the investigation, the defendant allegedly used another person’s Social Security Number to prevent NYCHA from verifying her income. As a result of the fraud, in 2022, for example, the defendant paid only $212 of the apartment’s monthly rent of $1,654. The remaining balance was subsidized by NYCHA based on the defendant’s misrepresentation of her household income and assets. According to the investigation, between November 2010 and June 2022, NYCHA overpaid $157,493 in rent subsidies on the defendant’s behalf.

The case was investigated by DOI Assistant Inspector General Robert Joyce, under the supervision of Deputy Inspector General Gregory Deboer, Deputy Inspector General J. Graham Forbes, Executive Agency Counsel Laureen Hintz, Inspector General Ralph Iannuzzi, Deputy Commissioner of Strategic Initiatives Christopher Ryan and Deputy Commissioner/Chief of Investigations Dominick Zarrella.

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

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

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Friday, November 17, 2023

Homeless Man Sentenced to 14 Years to Life in Prison for

Stabbing a Skateboarder on the Williamsburg Bridge

Unprovoked Attack Left Victim in Critical Condition

Brooklyn District Attorney Eric Gonzalez today announced that a homeless man has been sentenced to 14 years to life in prison for stabbing and severely injuring a skateboarder during an unprovoked attack on the Williamsburg Bridge.

District Attorney Gonzalez said, “This was a brutal and horrifying attack on a completely innocent man. I am committed to keeping the people of Brooklyn safe from violence. With today’s lengthy sentence, the defendant will be held accountable for his actions.”

The District Attorney identified the defendant as Omar Cartagena, 46. The defendant, who was deemed a mandatory persistent violent felony offender because of previous felony convictions, was sentenced today by Brooklyn Supreme Court Justice Eugene Guarino to 14 years to life in prison. He pleaded guilty to second-degree assault on September 7, 2023.

The District Attorney said that, on October 16, 2021, at about 10 a.m., the defendant was riding a bicycle behind the 30-year-old victim as he skateboarded across the Williamsburg Bridge. According to the evidence, the defendant started to yell at the victim and demanded he get out of the way. Despite the victim moving to the other side of the bike path, the defendant continued to yell at him. The defendant then pulled up next to the victim and stabbed him once in the chest with a knife.

Furthermore, according to the evidence, the victim was able to take a photo of the defendant as he rode away and a second photo of the defendant waiting for him at the end of the bridge with the knife in his hands. The victim then skateboarded to an urgent care clinic in Greenpoint where an employee called 911. The victim was transported to Elmhurst Hospital where he underwent emergency surgery — including a sternotomy — due to severe internal bleeding. He remained hospitalized for eight days.

The defendant was arrested approximately two hours after the stabbing by detectives who were canvassing the area around the Williamsburg Bridge and recognized him from the victim’s photos. The defendant had a bloody knife tucked into his waistband. DNA from the blade matched the victim.

Additionally, in the time between stabbing the 30-year-old victim on the Williamsburg Bridge and his arrest, the defendant stabbed a 34-year-old man on the Lower East Side.

The defendant pleaded guilty to second-degree assault in Manhattan in that case and received a sentence of 14 years to life in prison. The Brooklyn and Manhattan sentences will run concurrently.

The case was prosecuted by Senior Assistant District Attorney Sanam Shah, of the District Attorney’s Grey Zone Trial Bureau, under the supervision of Assistant District Attorney Courtney Hogg, Deputy Bureau Chief, and the overall supervision of Assistant District Attorney Robert Walsh, Bureau Chief.

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Monday, November 13, 2023

Brooklyn Woman Indicted for Defrauding or Attempting to Defraud Six Immigrants

Defendant Allegedly Claimed She Could Get Green Cards and Help with Immigration Services for a Fee,

Stole More than $38,000 from Individuals She Promised to Help

Brooklyn District Attorney Eric Gonzalez and Special Agent-in-Charge of Homeland Security Investigations, New York Ivan J. Arvelo today announced the indictment of a Sheepshead Bay woman who worked as a paralegal at a law firm for allegedly stealing thousands of dollars from prospective clients of the firm by falsely promising to provide legal services at a lower rate. In fact, it is alleged, she did no legal work for them and did not file any petitions. In two instances, it is alleged, she falsely stated that she was an attorney.

District Attorney Gonzalez said, “We allege that this defendant tried to enrich herself by targeting individuals from our vulnerable immigrant communities as they attempted to comply with federal requirements. In Brooklyn, we are committed to protecting our friends and neighbors in all immigrant communities from those who attempt to prey on them.”

Special Agent-in-Charge Arvelo said, “As alleged, Zoya Shamilova lured vulnerable individuals with promises of cheaper legal services as they navigated the immigration process. A wolf in sheep’s clothing, she is accused not only of stealing from her victims under the guise of legitimacy, but then threatening their livelihoods when they began to question her scheme. While our investigation found Shamilova charged each victim thousands of dollars, she is the person who will ultimately pay the greatest price. HSI New York’s Document and Benefit Fraud Task Force is unwavering in its commitment to protecting the public from bad actors preying upon defenseless communities.”

The District Attorney identified the defendant as Zoya Shamilova, 38, of Sheepshead Bay, Brooklyn. She was arraigned today by Brooklyn Supreme Court Justice Kim Petersen on a 17-count indictment in which she is charged with third-degree grand larceny, third-degree attempted grand larceny, first-degree immigrant assistance services fraud, first-degree attempted immigrant assistance services fraud, third-degree attempted coercion, practicing law without a license, and first-degree scheme to defraud. She was released without bail and ordered to return to court on January 17, 2024.

The District Attorney said that, according to the indictment, from approximately May 2022 to August 2023, the defendant falsely claimed she could help the victims with various immigration services including obtaining green cards and, in one instance, Temporary Protected Status, in exchange for approximately $4,500 to $16,250. The victims – who were from Poland, Ukraine, Serbia, India and Kazakhstan – met the defendant when they sought consultations with the law firm where she was employed as a paralegal, Shepelsky Law Group, located at 2415 Avenue U in Sheepshead Bay, Brooklyn.

After allegedly taking down payments from the victims, the defendant failed to file any petitions with the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services. She allegedly made excuses or simply ignored calls and text messages from clients seeking updates on the status of their cases. It is alleged the defendant threatened to report two undocumented individuals to immigration authorities after they questioned her about her work on their behalf.

The alleged fraud came to light after an individual texted Marina Shepelsky, Esq., the founder and managing partner of the law firm, to follow up on the status of her case, saying she had met with the defendant to retain the firm. After Shepelsky looked into the matter and found numerous documents related to the alleged fraudulent actions, she fired the defendant and reported the incident to KCDA and other law enforcement agencies.

People who believe they have been victimized by this defendant are encouraged to contact the District Attorney’s Action Center at 718-250-2340 or send an e-mail to ShamilovComplaints@brooklynda.org.

The District Attorney thanked Intelligence Analyst Veranika Basak, of the Investigations Division, Paralegal Specialist Kevin Yu, of the Immigrant Affairs Unit, and KCDA Detective Investigators, for their assistance on the case.

The case is being prosecuted by Senior Assistant District Attorney Sergey Marts, of the District Attorney’s Investigations Division, under the supervision of Assistant District Attorney Gloria Rios, Chief of the Immigrant Affairs Unit, and Assistant District Attorney Gregory Pavlides, Chief of the Frauds Bureau, and the overall supervision of Assistant District Attorney Michel Spanakos, Deputy Chief of Investigations and Assistant District Attorney Patricia McNeill, Chief of Investigations.

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

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Wednesday, November 8, 2023

Bath Beach Driver Sentenced to 3 to 9 Years in Prison for Causing Crash That Killed Passenger While Fleeing from NYPD on Eastern Parkway

Defendant Pleaded Guilty to Reckless Manslaughter in September

Brooklyn District Attorney Eric Gonzalez today announced that a Bath Beach man has been sentenced to 3 to 9 years in prison following his guilty plea to second-degree manslaughter for causing a collision with another car while fleeing from police on Eastern Parkway in 2022. One of the defendant’s passengers, 18, was killed in the crash.

District Attorney Gonzalez said, “This defendant’s recklessness behind the wheel and complete disregard for public safety cost an innocent young woman her life and seriously injured several others. He has now been held accountable and my office will continue to prosecute crimes involving vehicular violence to ensure the safety of Brooklyn’s streets.”

The District Attorney identified the defendant as Ackeem Chambers, 20, of Bath Beach, Brooklyn. He was sentenced today by Brooklyn Supreme Court Justice Danny Chun to three to nine years in prison. The defendant pleaded guilty to second-degree manslaughter on September 9, 2023.

The District Attorney said that, according to the evidence, on February 6, 2022, at approximately 2:08 a.m., the defendant was driving a 2015 Hyundai Sonata erratically on Eastern Parkway. The car, which was carrying three passengers, had a temporary Texas license plate and excessively tinted windows. According to the evidence, officers from the New York City Police Department attempted a traffic stop. The defendant then accelerated and drove through a red light at the intersection of Eastern Parkway and Rogers Avenue where he collided with a 2007 Toyota Solara that had the right of way. The defendant’s vehicle spun and struck a streetlight before the airbags deployed.

One of the defendant’s backseat passengers, Jada Rollins, 18, was taken to Kings County Hospital where she was pronounced dead. A 20-year-old passenger suffered severe head trauma. A third passenger was also taken to Kings County Hospital and treated, as was the driver of the Toyota Solara. The defendant suffered minor injuries.

Investigators later determined that the defendant was driving at approximately 62.7 miles per hour before the crash and there was no indication that the vehicle’s brakes were deployed.

The case was prosecuted by Senior Assistant District Attorney Denise Montano, of the District Attorney’s Orange Zone Trial Bureau, under the supervision of Assistant District Attorney Michael Trabulsi and Assistant District Attorney Iris Das, Deputy Bureau Chiefs of the Orange Zone, and the overall supervision of Assistant District Attorney Danielle Eaddy, Chief of the Orange Zone, and Assistant District Attorney Jennifer Nocella, Chief of the District Attorney’s Street Safety Bureau.

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Monday, November 6, 2023

Prospect Lefferts Gardens Man Sentenced to 12 Years in Prison
for Shooting Spree that Wounded Roommate and Two NYPD Officers

Defendant Pleaded Guilty to Attempted Murder in September

Brooklyn District Attorney Eric Gonzalez today announced that a Prospect Lefferts Gardens man has been sentenced to 12 years in prison following his guilty plea to second-degree attempted murder for shooting his roommate and then opening fire on four New York City Police Officers who responded to the roommate’s 911 call. The defendant fired three shots at the officers, wounding two of them.

District Attorney Gonzalez said, “This was a terrifying act of gun violence that underscores the dangers our police partners face every day on the job. We will never allow violence against law enforcement here in Brooklyn, and today’s sentence holds the defendant accountable for his deplorable actions.”

The District Attorney identified the defendant as Ridhwaan Abdur Rashid, 46, of Prospect Lefferts Gardens, Brooklyn. He was sentenced today by Brooklyn Supreme Court Justice Donald Leo to 12 years in prison and five years’ post-release supervision. The defendant pleaded guilty to second-degree attempted murder on September 26, 2023.

The District Attorney said that on March 7, 2021, at approximately 9:11 p.m., four New York City Police Officers assigned to the 71^st Precinct responded to a 911 call about a man shot by an emotionally disturbed person inside a second-floor apartment at 42 Hawthorne Street in Prospect Lefferts Gardens. According to the evidence, officers entered the building and were climbing the stairwell in a single-file line when the door to the apartment opened, and the defendant emerged. The officers engaged in a brief conversation with the defendant, who was draped in a blanket and speaking incoherently. The defendant then displayed an illegal .38-caliber handgun. After commands to drop his weapon, the defendant fired three times at the officers. One bullet clipped Police Officer Robert Aviles in his bulletproof vest; another grazed Police Officer Jonathan Landro in the leg. Officers returned fire but did not strike the defendant.

Furthermore, according to the evidence, the defendant then barricaded himself in the apartment while his wounded roommate, Damon Lindsay, 47, hid in an adjoining bedroom with his girlfriend. The standoff lasted for approximately one hour. At one point, Lindsay’s girlfriend waved a white shirt out of a window to signal for help and tossed a set of keys to officers outside so they could gain access to the apartment. An Emergency Services Unit was eventually able to extract the defendant from the apartment.

Lindsay was taken to the Kings County Hospital where he was treated for gunshot wounds to the leg and later released. Officer Aviles and Officer Landro were also taken to Kings County Hospital where they were treated and released.

A search warrant was obtained for the apartment. In addition to the 38-caliber handgun, an illegal shotgun and rifle were also removed. In May 2022, Lindsay pleaded guilty to fourth-degree criminal possession of a weapon and was sentenced to probation.

The District Attorney thanked NYPD’s Force Investigation Division and KCDA Supervising Paralegal Aneudy Mata for their assistance on the case.

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

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