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Tuesday, August 1, 2023

Queens Man Sentenced to 21 Years in Prison for Attempted Murder of His Former Girlfriend After Breaking into Her Home

Victim was Stabbed Repeatedly in Front of Teenage Son, Who Called 911

Brooklyn District Attorney Eric Gonzalez today announced that a Queens man was sentenced to 21 years in prison for repeatedly stabbing his ex-girlfriend after breaking into her Flatbush home. The victim, a mother of two sons, suffered severe cuts to her forehead and forearm.

District Attorney Gonzalez said, “Today’s sentence holds the defendant accountable for his actions, which terrorized a former girlfriend and her 15-year-old son and nearly took her life. He also showed his blatant disregard for the rule of law by absconding during his trial. I am committed to seeking justice for all victims of domestic violence.”

The District Attorney identified the defendant as Muneshwar Bira, 37, of St. Albans, Queens. He was convicted of second-degree attempted murder, first-degree assault, and fourth-degree criminal possession of a weapon on July 10, 2023, following a bench trial before Brooklyn Supreme Court Justice Phyllis Chu. He was sentenced today to 21 years in prison and five years’ post-release supervision.

The District Attorney said that, according to the evidence, on June 4, 2021, at approximately 11 a.m., on East 21st Street in Flatbush, Brooklyn, the defendant broke into his 40-year-old ex-girlfriend’s basement apartment with a knife in hand. Upon first seeing his ex-girlfriend the defendant took the knife and tried to stab the victim about her head. The victim raised her forearm onto her head to protect it, causing the knife to lacerate her forearm and her forehead. The victim then fell to the floor. After one knife broke, the defendant proceeded to use two additional knives to stab the victim. She continued to fight for her life while calling out to her 15-year-old son for help.

The victim’s son called 911 and when the police arrived, according to the evidence, the defendant, the victim, and the apartment were covered in blood. The victim was taken to Kings County Hospital and treated for severe injuries, including a life-threatening injury to her right arm.

During his trial, on April 5, 2023, the defendant failed to return to court following an afternoon break and a bench warrant was issued for his arrest on April 10, 2023. He was picked up on the warrant in Florida and had to be extradited back to New York.

The case was prosecuted by Senior Assistant District Attorney Hannah Laufer, of the District Attorney’s Domestic Violence Bureau, with the assistance of 1st Deputy Bureau Chief Mark Pagliuco and Deputy Bureau Chief Lisa Perlman, under the supervision of Assistant District Attorney Kori Medow, Chief of the Domestic Violence Bureau.

 

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Monday, July 31, 2023

Two Men Indicted for Repeatedly Raping a Child

One Defendant, Charged with Sex Trafficking of a Child, Allegedly Groomed
13-Year-Old Girl He Met on Social Media; Arranged for Her to Have Sex with Others

Brooklyn District Attorney Eric Gonzalez today announced that two men have been arraigned on a 57-count indictment in which they are variously charged with sex trafficking of a child, promoting prostitution, rape, and related charges for the alleged sex trafficking of a 13-year-old girl.

District Attorney Gonzalez said, “This is an incredibly disturbing case in which two middle-aged men are accused of exploiting a vulnerable child for their own gratification. I am committed to protecting our children from sexual exploitation and will now seek to bring the defendants to justice.”

The District Attorney identified the defendants as Kal Kirby, 43, of East Flatbush, Brooklyn and Jordan Shephard Burnham, 44, of Oak Bluffs, Massachusetts. Kirby is charged with sex trafficking of a child, first-, second-, third-, and, fourth-degree promoting prostitution, second- and third-degree rape, endangering the welfare of a child, use of a child in a sexual performance, possessing a sexual performance of a child, promoting a sexual performance of a child, second-degree unlawful surveillance of a child, and unlawful disclosure of an intimate image. Burnham is charged with second- and third-degree rape, endangering the welfare of a child, promoting a sexual performance by a child, possessing a sexual performance by a child, use of a child in a sexual performance, and aggravated patronizing a minor for prostitution in the second-degree.

Burnham was apprehended in Oak Bluffs, Massachusetts on July 20, 2023 and returned to New York on Friday, July 28, 2023. He was arraigned today before Brooklyn Supreme Court Justice Donald Leo, who set bail at $2 million bond or $1 million cash. The case was adjourned to August 24, 2023.

Kirby was arraigned on July 20, 2023 before Brooklyn Supreme Court Justice Rhonda Tomlinson. He was ordered held without bail and to return to court on August 24, 2023.

The District Attorney said that, according to the investigation, beginning in February 2022, the 13-year-old victim started communicating with Kirby on a social networking app called “Monkey” and then on Instagram. Shortly thereafter, it is alleged, they agreed to meet in person. Kirby allegedly sent a cab to pick up the victim at her Intermediate School and take her to his apartment. They allegedly played video games, ate fast food, and engaged in sexual intercourse. They continued to meet on a weekly basis through December 2022.

In September 2022, it is alleged, the victim went to Kirby’s apartment after school and there were four or five other men there. It is alleged that each of the men engaged in sexual intercourse with the victim, who felt that she couldn’t refuse and complied. She then left the apartment.

Furthermore, it is alleged, that on October 14, 2022, Kirby allegedly sent a photo of the victim in her underwear to Burnham and said he “had a young thing I wanted to introduce.” Burnham allegedly liked the image. On October 27, 2022, Kirby allegedly sent a naked video of the victim to Burnham and later set up a meeting for Burnham and the victim to engage in sexual intercourse.

Finally, it is alleged, between November 1, 2022 and December 23, 2022, Burnham and the victim engaged in sexual intercourse on three occasions. After the second time, he allegedly gave her a pair of headphones and after the third time, he allegedly gave her $200. In subsequent communications on Instagram, Burnham allegedly requested and received lewd photos of the victim.

In late December 2022, the victim disclosed what had been happening to her foster mother and police were notified.

The New York City Police Department investigation was led by Detective Liam O’Hara of the NYPD’s Human Trafficking Squad, under the supervision of Sergeant Robert Duplessis, Lieutenant Amy Capogna and Captain Thomas Milano.

The District Attorney thanked Police Chief Jonathan Searle, Lieutenant Nicholas Curelli and police officers from the Oak Bluffs, Massachusetts Police Department and the Cape and Islands District Attorney’s Office for their assistance with the investigation.

The case is being prosecuted by Senior Assistant District Attorney Mary E. Monahan, of the District Attorney’s Human Trafficking Unit, under the supervision of Assistant District Attorney David Weiss, Chief of the Human Trafficking Unit, with the assistance of Paralegal Specialist Aurora Martinez, 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

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Monday, July 10, 2023

Brooklyn Men Arraigned on Indictment Charging Them

With Six Burglaries of Homes and Businesses in Bensonhurst

Allegedly Stole More than $150,000 Worth of Jewelry and Cash

Brooklyn District Attorney Eric Gonzalez and New York City Police Commissioner Edward A. Caban today announced that two Brooklyn men have been arraigned on an indictment for allegedly committing a string of six burglaries in Bensonhurst between August 2022 and January 2023. Of the burglaries, two were of private dwellings and four were local stores.

District Attorney Gonzalez said, “These defendants are allegedly professional burglars whose crime spree violated the sanctity of local homeowners and businesses in the Bensonhurst community, and we will now seek to hold them accountable. Together with the NYPD, we have been focusing enforcement efforts on alleged repeat offenders, leading to a double-digit percentage decline in Brooklyn burglaries so far this year.”

NYPD Commissioner Caban said, “Today’s indictment is the result of determined police work at the precinct level coupled with relentless follow-up by NYPD investigators and our colleagues in the Brooklyn District Attorney’s Office. And because no community should ever be plagued by alleged career criminals victimizing hardworking people where they live and work, the men and women of the NYPD will keep working hand-in-hand with all of our local, state, and federal law enforcement partners to ensure that New Yorkers are safe – and feel safe, too.”

The District Attorney identified the defendants as Sam Kravchenko, 36, of Coney Island, Brooklyn, and John Catullo, 55, of Bensonhurst, Brooklyn. They were arraigned today before Brooklyn Supreme Court Justice Donald Leo on a 74-count indictment in which they are variously charged with fourth-, fifth- and sixth-degree conspiracy, second- and third-degree burglary, third- and fourth-degree grand larceny, third-, fourth- and fifth-degree criminal possession of stolen property, possession of burglars’ tools, trespass and related charges. They were ordered held without bail and to return to court on September 20, 2023.

The District Attorney said that, according to the investigation, the defendants were charged in connection with the following incidents:

The defendant and his co-defendants were named in a 2018 indictment in which they were variously charged with conspiracy to commit murder, conspiracy to possess weapons, and other charges in connection with eight separate shootings, including two fatalities.

• On August 8, 2022, the defendants allegedly burglarized a private home on West 12^th Street in Gravesend and stole two Rolex watches, a Cartier gold watch, a gold necklace with a diamond cross, a gold bracelet, a diamond bracelet, and diamond earrings.
• On September 6, 2022, the defendants allegedly burglarized a grocery store on 17^th Avenue in Bensonhurst, stealing a safe containing approximately $15,000 cash as well as a cash register containing petty cash.
• On October 6, 2022, the defendants allegedly burglarized a grocery store located on Bath Avenue in Bath Beach and stole a security box containing approximately $10,000 cash and a cash register containing petty cash.
• On October 6, 2022, the defendants allegedly burglarized a grocery store located on New Utrecht Avenue in Bensonhurst and stole a security box containing approximately $10,000 cash and a cash register containing petty cash.
• On November 13, 2022, the defendants allegedly burglarized a vape shop located on 18^th Avenue in Bensonhurst and stole approximately $38,211 worth of merchandise.
• On January 18, 2023, the defendants allegedly burglarized a private home located on 76^th Street in Bensonhurst and stole approximately $7,000 cash, two Rolexes, a Cartier bracelet, a necklace and matching earring set, and a gold necklace.

Defendant Kravchenko was arrested on January 26, 2023, after a car stop for failure to signal. He was allegedly driving with a suspended license, and police allegedly recovered 39 Oxycodone pills in his vehicle along with two police scanners. Upon further investigation using cell phone sites, enhanced video and other evidence, the defendants were linked to the burglaries.

The case was investigated by New York City Police Officer Nicholas Occhipinti, Sergeant James Sinnott and Detective Anthony Brucato, all of the 62^nd Precinct.

The District Attorney thanked Intelligence Analyst Fatima Shaik and Unit Chief Jingu Chong, of the District Attorney’s Digital Evidence Lab and Jannette Lukowsky, Deputy Chief of the District Attorney’s Law Enforcement Assistance Unit, for their work on the case.

The case is being prosecuted by Senior Assistant District Attorney Joseph Duarte, 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, 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

Wednesday, July 26, 2023

Brooklyn Gang Member Sentenced to 25 Years to

Life in Prison for Fatally Shooting a Man

Bullets Also Struck School Bus and MTA Bus

Brooklyn District Attorney Eric Gonzalez today announced that a reputed Brooklyn gang member has been sentenced to 25 years to life in prison following his conviction for murdering a man outside a Brownsville bodega. Stray bullets struck a nearby school bus and an MTA bus, barely missing their passengers.

District Attorney Gonzalez said, “This defendant robbed a two-year-old girl of her father, devastated a family, and endangered the lives of countless others with stray bullets hitting two crowded buses. Today’s sentence holds him accountable for this despicable crime, and I hope it offers some comfort to the victim’s loved ones.”

The District Attorney identified the defendant as Jamel Dossie, 34, of Brownsville, Brooklyn. He was sentenced today by Brooklyn Supreme Court Justice Phyllis Chu to 25 years to life in prison. The defendant was convicted of second-degree murder and second-degree criminal possession of a weapon on June 29, 2023, following a jury trial.

The District Attorney said that, according to the evidence, on November 19, 2019, at approximately 8:45 a.m., outside a bodega on Pennsylvania Avenue in East New York, Brooklyn, the defendant shot and killed 32-year-old Francisco Bonilla, the father of a 2-year-old girl. Flying bullets hit a school bus that was carrying young children to daycare and went through the rear door of an MTA bus full of passengers. No one was hurt on those buses.

The evidence showed that the defendant, who was a member of the Blood Stone Villains gang, was looking for the victim at a bodega the victim used to frequent. Surveillance videos captured the defendant in the moments before, during and after the murder. Specifically, the video showed him wearing a red baseball cap in the moments before the murder. Footage then tracked the defendant as he hunted the victim down and opened fire at the intersection of Pennsylvania and Dumont Avenues. Finally, video tracked the defendant as he returned to a nearby building where he was seen putting a gun inside of a mailbox and celebrating the murder by dancing and laughing with two women in the lobby.

Another video captured him a short time later entering a fourth-floor apartment, wearing that red hat again, and subsequently leaving the apartment without the hat. That same hat was later recovered from the apartment with the defendant’s DNA on it.

The case was prosecuted by Assistant District Attorney Michael Diamond, of the District Attorney’s Violent Criminal Enterprises Bureau, under the supervision of Assistant District Attorney Matthew Stewart, Deputy Chief of VCE, and the overall supervision of Assistant District Attorney Alfred De Ingeniis, VCE Chief.

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Monday, July 10, 2023

Martense Beverly Bosses Gang Member Sentenced to 15 Years to
Life in Prison for Shooting Death of Rival Gang Member

Defendant Belonged to East Flatbush-based Gang, Was Convicted following Bench Trial;
Seventeen Co-Defendants in Conspiracy Case Pleaded Guilty to Various Charges

Brooklyn District Attorney Eric Gonzalez today announced that a Crown Heights man who was a member of the Martense Beverly Bosses gang based in East Flatbush has been sentenced to 15 years to life for the murder of a 20-year-old gang rival in 2017.

District Attorney Gonzalez said, “Today’s sentencing is the final disposition of a takedown of a gang that operated in Brooklyn with reckless disregard for life while hunting and shooting rivals. This defendant will now spend many years in prison for his callous actions that took the life of a young man and endangered many others.”

The District Attorney identified the defendant as Gymanni Carrington, 22, of Crown Heights, Brooklyn. The defendant was sentenced today by Brooklyn Supreme Justice Dineen Riviezzo to 15 years to life in prison plus a term of 12 to 24 years in prison, to run concurrently. He was convicted of second-degree murder, second-degree conspiracy, second-degree criminal possession of a weapon and fourth-degree conspiracy on June 26, 2023, after a bench trial. The defendant was indicted in June 2018 along with 17 co-defendants following a lengthy investigation into the violence committed by members of the Martense Beverly Bosses street gang. His co-defendants previously pleaded guilty to various charges.

The District Attorney said that on September 16, 2017, at approximately 4:25 a.m., the defendant murdered Donavan Frazier, 20, by shooting him as he was exiting Franklin’s Finest Deli at 790 Franklin Avenue in Crown Heights. Frazier was allegedly a Lincoln Fam gang member and a rival of the defendant’s gang. The defendant fired six shots from a .40 caliber handgun into the deli, striking Frazier once. The bullet entered his upper arm and reentered his torso, perforating his lungs and major blood vessels, causing his death.

The defendant was captured on surveillance video firing into the deli, according to the evidence. He claimed credit for the murder in calls recorded by the New York City Department of Corrections, on social media posts, and made admissions in emails to his mother just after the shooting, according to the evidence.

The defendant and his co-defendants were named in a 2018 indictment in which they were variously charged with conspiracy to commit murder, conspiracy to possess weapons, and other charges in connection with eight separate shootings, including two fatalities.

The evidence presented at trial included that during the conspiracy the defendant was a member of the Martense Beverly Bosses, which operated primarily in and around the East Flatbush section of Brooklyn. Between June 1, 2016 and June 14, 2018, during the course of the conspiracy, the evidence showed that the defendant engaged in conversations with incarcerated co-defendants and discussed shootings and other acts of violence between the gang and their rivals. Additionally, the evidence showed that the defendant and his co-defendants discussed the procurement and possession of firearms to further their goals of committing acts of violence against their rivals.

His co-defendants pleaded guilty to various charges including second- and fourth-degree conspiracy, first-degree manslaughter and criminal possession of a weapon and received various sentences ranging from one to three years to as many as 13 years in prison. One defendant was sentenced to probation.

The investigation was conducted by New York City Police Department Detective Sean Feliciano and Detective Veerana Ramayya, of the Gun Violence Suppression Division, under the supervision of Sergeant Richard Young and Lieutenant Richard Zacarese, and the overall supervision of former GVSD Commanding Officer James Essig, now Chief of Detectives.

The case was prosecuted by Assistant District Attorney Sabeeha Madni, First Deputy Chief of the District Attorney’s School Advocacy & Juvenile Crimes Bureau, and Assistant District Attorney Gillian DiPietro, Deputy Chief of the District Attorney’s Violent Criminal Enterprises Bureau, under the overall supervision of Assistant District Attorney Alfred De Ingeniis, Chief of the Violent Criminal Enterprises Bureau.

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Thursday, July 6, 2023

Brooklyn Man Sentenced to 27 Years to Life in Prison for

Killing Building Superintendent and Burying Body in Unmarked Grave

Defendant Was Convicted Murder and Concealment of a Corpse

Brooklyn District Attorney Eric Gonzalez today announced that a Brooklyn man has been sentenced to 27 years to life in prison for a 2017 murder in which he fatally strangled a building superintendent in Bushwick who had been hired to replace him. The defendant then attempted to cover-up the crime by burying the victim’s body in an unmarked grave outside his grandmother’s house.

District Attorney Gonzalez said, “The senselessness of this cold-blooded murder shocks the conscience, and my heart continues to be with Daniel Rivera’s loved ones. Today’s lengthy prison sentence makes our community safer and ensures this defendant will pay a heavy price for this callous and horrific crime.”

The District Attorney identified the defendant as Keith Floyd, 44, of Bushwick, Brooklyn. He was sentenced today by Brooklyn Supreme Court Justice Rhonda Ziomaida Tomlinson to 27 years to life in prison. He was convicted of second-degree murder, first-degree hindering prosecution, and concealment of a human corpse, on February 21, 2023, following a jury trial.

The District Attorney said that, according to the evidence, on September 27, 2017, in the vicinity of 146 Grove Street, the defendant killed Daniel Rivera by asphyxiation. At the time, the 41-year-old victim was working as a superintendent for a building management company in Bushwick. Rivera had been hired to replace the defendant after the defendant was fired in April 2017 following his arrest for gun possession. Additionally, the defendant was facing eviction from his apartment at 91 Himrod Street on September 29, 2017. Once vacated, the company-owned apartment would have gone to Rivera.

Several days before his scheduled eviction, according to the evidence, the defendant began to communicate with the victim by phone calls and text messages. On September 27, 2017, the day of the murder, the defendant texted with the victim for seven hours. Extensive evidence including video and surveillance footage provide a detailed timeline of the defendant’s interactions with the victim.

The defendant left his apartment at 91 Himrod Street at approximately 3:05 p.m. and walked about five blocks to 146 Grove Street, which is one of the properties that Rivera cleaned and maintained. Approximately 40 minutes later, the defendant killed the victim at that property.

Later that evening the defendant and his sister, Adrianna Floyd, 41, returned to the Grove Street property, wrapped the victim’s body in several trash bags, loaded it into a shopping cart, and brought it to the defendant’s apartment.

At approximately 2:17 a.m., on September 30, 2017, according to the evidence, the defendant used the victim’s cellphone to send a text to the victim’s boss stating that Rivera was quitting because he found a new job.

Later that morning, at approximately 6:30 a.m., the defendant was captured on surveillance video wheeling the shopping cart with the victim’s body out of his apartment and down the block to his grandmother’s home at 54 Himrod Street, where he buried the body.

On October 5, 2017, the New York City Police Department received an anonymous tip that there was a dead body buried in the backyard at 54 Himrod Street. The next day, detectives found Rivera’s body buried in a shallow grave. The victim was wrapped in plastic trash bags and had a clear plastic garbage wrapped tightly around his head and neck. The New York City Medical Examiner conducted an autopsy and ruled the cause of death was homicidal asphyxia.

The case was prosecuted by Assistant District Attorney Robert J. Walsh, Chief of the District Attorney’s Grey Zone Trial Bureau, and Senior Assistant District Attorney Sanam Shah, also of the Grey Zone.

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Thursday, June 29, 2023

Former Brooklyn Postal Worker Indicted for Stealing Over $160,000

Defendant Worked as Window Clerk at a Post Office in Bensonhurst Where She Allegedly Voided Customers’ Money Order Purchases and Pocketed the Cash

Brooklyn District Attorney Eric Gonzalez, together with United States Postal Service, Office of the Inspector General, Northeast Area Field Office, Special Agent in Charge Matthew Modafferi, today announced that a Brooklyn woman has been arraigned on an indictment in which she is charged with second-degree grand larceny, official misconduct, and first-degree falsifying business records for allegedly stealing more than $160,000 while working as a window clerk at a post office in Bensonhurst.

District Attorney Gonzalez said, “This defendant allegedly abused her position and betrayed the public trust for her own personal gain. A thorough investigation uncovered the extent of her alleged theft, and we will now seek to hold her accountable. Public corruption will not be tolerated in Brooklyn.”

Special Agent in Charge Modafferi said, “The Special Agents of the U.S. Postal Service, Office of Inspector General are dedicated to maintaining the integrity of the Postal Service and its personnel. When a Postal Service employee decides to break the public’s trust and participates in criminal acts, USPS OIG Special Agents will work tirelessly to bring those responsible to justice. This indictment will serve as a reminder that there are severe consequences when individuals utilize their Postal Service position to commit crimes. The U.S. Postal Service, Office of Inspector General would like to thank our law enforcement partners and the Brooklyn District Attorney’s Office for their dedication and efforts in this investigation.”

The District Attorney identified the defendant as Sherrin Saddler, 34, of Brooklyn. She was arraigned today before Brooklyn Supreme Court Justice Michael Kitsis on an indictment in which she is charged with second-degree grand larceny, official misconduct, and 180 counts of first-degree falsifying business records. She was released without bail and ordered to return to court on September 13, 2023.

The District Attorney said that, according to the investigation, between November 15, 2019, and July 30, 2020, the defendant allegedly stole over $160,0000 while working as a window clerk at the Parkville Station post office in Bensonhurst. It is alleged the defendant received cash from customers who purchased money orders. The defendant then voided the money orders – and pocketed the cash – once the customers left. According to the investigation, the defendant did this 180 times. Some customers’ money orders bounced, while other customers were able to remit the money orders as payment to the addressee or vendor without issue. However, when the money orders were cashed and then returned to the U.S. Federal Reserve for accounting, the money orders were found to have been voided. After an audit, USPS Inspectors learned of the loss occurring at the Parkville Station location and launched an investigation.

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

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

 

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Thursday, July 5, 2023

Brooklyn Man Sentenced to 32 ½ Years to Life in Prison for Mass Shooting During Old Timers Day Celebration in Brownsville Park

Opened Fire and Triggered a Gun Battle Which Left One Dead and

11 Others Shot and Wounded

Brooklyn District Attorney Eric Gonzalez today announced that a Brooklyn man has been sentenced to 32 ½ years to life in prison for fatally shooting a man during the Old Timers Day celebration in Brownsville in 2019. The shooting ignited an exchange of gunfire between rival groups which left 11 innocent bystanders shot and wounded.

District Attorney Gonzalez said, “A beloved community celebration held each year turned tragic when this defendant opened fire in the middle of a crowd. Senseless gun violence that puts innocent people in harm’s way has destroyed too many lives and will not be tolerated in Brooklyn. As a result of this defendant’s outrageous actions a man lost his life, and 11 other people were shot and wounded. He has now been held accountable.”

The District Attorney identified the defendant as Kyle Williams, 23, of Brownsville, Brooklyn. He was sentenced today by Brooklyn Supreme Court Justice John Hecht to 32 ½years to life in prison. The defendant was convicted of second-degree murder, second-degree criminal possession of a weapon and first-degree reckless endangerment on April 20, 2023 following a jury trial.

The District Attorney said that, according to the evidence, on July 27, 2019, at approximately 11 p.m., in the Brownsville Playground, on Hegeman Avenue and Sackman Street, the defendant confronted Jason Pagan, 38, during Old Timers Day, an annual neighborhood celebration where more than 500 community members were gathered.

Following a verbal dispute, the defendant pulled out a gun and fatally shot Pagan in the head and torso. A shootout between rival groups then erupted during which 11 innocent people, caught in the crossfire, were shot and wounded.

The defendant was arrested on October 16, 2019, after investigators received tips from members of the community. Multiple eyewitnesses identified the defendant as the initial shooter. In addition, police recovered the gun the defendant used during the fatal shooting and obtained an admission from the defendant while he was in custody.

The case was prosecuted by Senior Assistant District Attorney Daphney Gachette, of the District Attorney’s Homicide Bureau, and Assistant District Attorney Chow Xie, Deputy Chief of the Homicide Bureau, under the supervision of Assistant District Attorney Leila Rosini, Bureau Chief.

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Tuesday, June 27, 2023

Brooklyn Man Sentenced to 35 Years to Life in Prison for Flatlands Shooting That Killed Gang Rival Sitting in Car with Girlfriend

At Least Nine Shots from Large Caliber Handguns were Fired into Vehicle

Brooklyn District Attorney Eric Gonzalez today announced that a Brooklyn man has been sentenced to 35 years to life in prison for a shooting that left a 21-year-old man dead. The defendant and his alleged accomplice opened fire into a car parked in Flatlands where the victim was sitting with his girlfriend. The victim managed to push his girlfriend out of the car before collapsing, shielding her from the gunfire.

District Attorney Gonzalez said, “This was a horrific and completely senseless act of violence unleashed upon two defenseless victims at pointblank range. Gang violence destroys too many young lives in Brooklyn and fighting against that remains my highest priority. I hope today’s prison sentence makes clear that those who terrorize our communities will face very serious consequences.”

The District Attorney identified the defendant as Tristan Murray, 30, of Brooklyn. He was sentenced today by Brooklyn Supreme Court Justice Heidi Cesare to 35 years to life in prison. The defendant was convicted of second-degree murder, second-degree attempted murder and two counts of second-degree criminal possession of a weapon on May 19, 2023, following a jury trial.

The case against the defendant’s alleged accomplice, Tarell Herbert, 29, also of Brooklyn, is pending trial. He is charged with second-degree murder, second-degree attempted murder, and related charges.

The District Attorney said that, according to the evidence, on September 2, 2016, at about 7 p.m., Anthony Francis, 21, was wrapping up a visit with his girlfriend in Flatlands, Brooklyn, when they entered his BMW, which was parked on the street. Francis and his girlfriend were seated in the vehicle when the defendant and his alleged accomplice drove up to the BMW at approximately 7:26 p.m. and opened fire from their passenger side window into the BMW.

Murray and his alleged accomplice were affiliated with the Folk Nation gang in Flatbush and were looking for rival gang members to shoot at the time of the incident, according to trial testimony. They spotted the victim, a member of the rival Woo gang based in Canarsie, and one of the defendants yelled “Woo, Woo, Woo,” which is a way that Woo members greet each other, according to trial testimony. Murray and his alleged accomplice then opened fire. The victim, who was struck in the chest, pushed his girlfriend out of the car just before he died. There were multiple .40 caliber and .45 caliber shell casings found at the scene and Francis’ BMW was riddled with .40 and .45 caliber bullets.

Murray was arrested a day after the shooting with a .45 caliber gun and, in the course of a lengthy investigation by the Brooklyn South Homicide Task Force and the Brooklyn District Attorney’s Office, that gun was traced to the homicide.

The District Attorney thanked Violent Criminal Enterprises Bureau Paralegals Diane Fields-Vernon and Tania Lopez and the Kings County Detective Investigators for their assistance on the case.

The case was prosecuted by Senior Assistant District Attorney Nicholas Ford and Senior Assistant District Attorney Michelle Kiley, of the District Attorney’s Violent Criminal Enterprises Bureau, under the supervision of Assistant District Attorney Alfred De Ingeniis, Bureau Chief.

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Wednesday, June 21, 2023

Brooklyn Man Sentenced to 22 Years to Life in Prison for Double Murder

Pleaded Guilty to Shooting and Stabbing His Girlfriend’s Mother and Her Stepfather,

Victims were Slain in Their Sheepshead Bay Apartment 

Brooklyn District Attorney Eric Gonzalez today announced that a Brooklyn man has been sentenced to 22 years to life in prison for participating in the murder of his former girlfriend’s mother and her stepfather. Each of the victims was shot and stabbed.

District Attorney Gonzalez said, “Today’s lengthy sentence holds this defendant accountable for his role in this brutal and horrific double murder that robbed two innocent victims of their lives. The depravity of these crimes cannot be overstated, and while no sentence can bring the victims back to their family and friends, I hope this sentence offers them some sense of solace.”

The District Attorney identified the defendant as Jerry Maisonett, 35, of Sunset Park, Brooklyn. He was sentenced today by Brooklyn Supreme Court Justice Niki Warin to 22 years to life in prison. The defendant pleaded guilty to first-degree murder on August 8, 2022.

The District Attorney said that, according to the investigation, on December 28, 2015, at approximately 3:30 p.m., the defendant, acting in concert with another person, shot and stabbed Rosie Sanchez, 38 and Anderson Nunez, 40, in their apartment located at 2364 Batchelder Street, in Sheepshead Bay, Brooklyn. The defendant’s former girlfriend, Destiny Garcia, also lived in the apartment.

Rosie Sanchez was shot in the head and stabbed in the heart. Anderson Nunez was shot twice and stabbed more than 30 times.

The defendant was arrested on February 16, 2016, following an investigation.

Destiny Garcia, 22, was arrested on January 4, 2016, after she made statements about the killings to a cousin, who alerted police. She was convicted of two counts of first-degree manslaughter and one count of second-degree criminal possession of a weapon following a jury trial and will be sentenced on August 3, 2023.

The case was prosecuted by Assistant District Attorney Ernest Chin, Deputy Chief of the District Attorney’s Homicide Bureau and Senior Assistant District Attorney Sarah Jafari, also of the Homicide Bureau, under the supervision of Assistant District Attorney Leila Rosini, Homicide Bureau Chief.

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