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Thursday, February 29, 2024

Brooklyn Man Sentenced to 17 Years in Prison

For Shooting Death of His Neighbor

Defendant Entered Victim’s Apartment and Shot Him in His Bedroom

Brooklyn District Attorney Eric Gonzalez today announced that a Brooklyn man has been sentenced to 17 years in prison following his guilty plea to manslaughter for killing his 62-year-old neighbor, in his New York City Housing Authority apartment in Brownsville.

District Attorney Gonzalez said, “This defendant committed a heinous crime by killing his neighbor. He has now accepted responsibility for this senseless shooting and been sentenced to a lenghthy prison term.”

The District Attorney identified the defendant as Gregory Spears, 43, of Brownsville, Brooklyn. He was sentenced today by Brooklyn Supreme Court Justice Donald Leo to 17 years in prison and five years’ post-release supervision. The defendant pleaded guilty to first-degree manslaughter on January 29, 2024.

The District Attorney said that, according to the investigation, on May 19, 2020, at approximately 2:40 p.m., the defendant knocked on the door of the victim’s apartment in the Langston Hughes Houses at 301 Sutter Avenue in Brownsville. Both the defendant and the victim lived in apartments on the 14^th floor.

The victim’s wife opened the door and recognized the defendant, even though he was wearing a Halloween mask. The defendant’s wife happened to be visiting with the victim’s wife inside of the apartment at the time.

The victim’s wife went to the bedroom and told the victim, Angel Medina, 62, that the defendant wanted to speak to him. He then went into the bedroom, took off the mask, shot the victim multiple times, and fled the apartment.

The victim died of multiple gunshot wounds to the torso. The defendant was arrested on May 20,2020, at approximately 7 a.m., when he exited the elevator on the 14^th floor and was met by police securing the crime scene.

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

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Wednesday, February 28, 2024

Canarsie Man Who Allegedly Struck and Killed Pedestrian While

Driving Drunk Indicted for Vehicular Manslaughter

Defendant’s Blood Alcohol Level Above the Legal Limit

Brooklyn District Attorney Eric Gonzalez today announced that a Canarsie man has been arraigned on an indictment in which he is charged with vehicular manslaughter after he allegedly drove drunk and struck a 68-year-old pedestrian crossing the street, killing him.

District Attorney Gonzalez said, “This defendant’s alleged recklessness in drinking and driving cost an innocent man his life. Brooklyn residents deserve safe streets, and I am committed to holding the defendant accountable for his illegal conduct.”

The District Attorney identified the defendant as Gary Turner, 47, of Canarsie, Brooklyn. He was arraigned today before Brooklyn Supreme Court Justice Dale Fong-Frederick on an indictment in which he is charged with second-degree vehicle manslaughter, second-degree vehicular assault and operating a motor vehicle while under the influence. Bail was set at $150,00 cash or $300,00 bond. The defendant was ordered to return to court on April 16, 2024.

The District Attorney said that, according to the investigation, on January 31, 2024, at approximately 6:45 p.m., the defendant was driving a 2017 Dodge Caravan westbound on Glenwood Road when he struck Luis Garcia, 68, in the crosswalk at the intersection of East 105^th Street, throwing him onto the ground.

Furthermore, according to the investigation, when police officers arrived at the scene, they allegedly observed that the defendant had slurred speech, red eyes, and an odor of alcohol on his breath. The defendant was administered a breathalyzer test, which showed the defendant had a blood alcohol level of .132, greater than the legal limit of .08.

Paramedics transported Garcia to Brooklyn University Hospital where he was pronounced dead due to severe blunt trauma to the chest and head.

The case is being prosecuted by Senior Assistant District Attorney Christopher C. Rainwater and Assistant District Attorney Rebecca Velez of the District Attorney’s Red Zone Trial Bureau, under the supervision of Assistant District Attorney Karla Watson, Bureau Chief, and Assistant District Attorney Christopher Velez, Deputy Bureau Chief of the Street Safety Bureau.

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

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Wednesday, February 28, 2024

Brooklyn Husband and Wife Indicted for Sex Trafficking of a Child

Fifteen-Year-Old Victim was Allegedly Approached on Harlem Street, Lured to Brooklyn

Brooklyn District Attorney Eric Gonzalez today announced that a Brooklyn couple has been arraigned on a 22-count indictment in which they are charged with sex trafficking of a child, promoting prostitution and related charges for the alleged sex trafficking of a 15-year-old girl.

District Attorney Gonzalez said, “I am committed to rescuing and protecting our at-risk teens from those who seek to harm and exploit them. Luckily, this victim was located by police after reaching out to her foster mother. We will now seek to bring these defendants to justice.”

The District Attorney identified the defendants as Daryl Hicks, 38, and Michelle Wicks, 31, of East New York, Brooklyn. Hicks was arraigned today before Brooklyn Supreme Court Justice Danny Chun on an indictment in which he is charged with sex trafficking of a child, second-, third- and fourth-degree promoting prostitution, third-degree rape, use of a child in a sexual performance, endangering the welfare of a child, possessing a sexual performance by a child and promoting a sexual performance by a child. He was ordered held without bail and to return to court on March 13, 2024. Wicks, who was indicted for sex trafficking of a child and related charges, was arraigned before Justice Chun on December 7, 2023, and released without bail.

The District Attorney said that, according to the investigation, between November 20, 2022 and December 30, 2022, the defendants allegedly met the 15-year-old victim and induced her to engage in acts of prostitution. The victim was allegedly approached by Hicks in Harlem and told by him “you could be working for me” and “I could put money in your pocket.”

It is alleged that the defendants actively posted the victim’s photo on escort websites and arranged “dates” for her at various locations in Brooklyn. They allegedly instructed her on what sexual services to offer, how much to charge, and how to communicate with customers.

Hicks allegedly engaged in sexual intercourse with the victim on December 25, 2022, according to the investigation. Photos and videos of the victim, including videos of sexual acts with Hicks, were allegedly discovered on the defendant’s cell phone.

On December 30, 2022, detectives from the Human Trafficking Squad went to the Imperial Hotel in East New York and recovered the victim inside a room registered to Hicks. She had been reported missing days earlier after reaching out to her foster mother and sending her photos.

The case was investigated by Detective Paul Mastronardi 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, and the overall supervision of Chief Carlos Ortiz.

The District Attorney thanked Human Trafficking Unit Paralegal Aurora Martinez and Digital Forensic Analyst Taylor Mumley of the Digital Evidence Lab for their assistance on 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, and the overall 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.

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Tuesday, February 27, 2024

Long Island Man Indicted for Allegedly Stealing $305,000 by

Charging Bergen Beach Woman for Plumbing Work That Wasn’t Performed

 Allegedly Falsely Claimed to be a Licensed Plumber

Brooklyn District Attorney Eric Gonzalez today announced that a Long Island man has been arraigned on an indictment in which he is charged with grand larceny for allegedly stealing approximately $305,000 from a Brooklyn homeowner by charging for a large-scale plumbing renovation project that he was not qualified to perform.

District Attorney Gonzalez said, “This defendant allegedly carried out a brazen scheme by fraudulently holding himself out as a licensed plumber and taking hundreds of thousands of dollars from a homeowner for work that was not performed. This was a devastating outcome for the victim, and we will now seek to hold the defendant accountable for his criminal actions.”

The District Attorney identified the defendant as Amedeo Ali, 46, of Dix Hills, New York. He was arraigned today before Brooklyn Supreme Court Justice Michael Kitsis on an indictment in which he is charged with second-degree grand larceny. He was released without bail and ordered to return to court on April 10, 2024.

The District Attorney said that on November 5, 2020, the defendant was hired to renovate a two-story house on East 67^th Street in Bergen Beach, Brooklyn. The job included significant plumbing work, and the defendant allegedly held himself out to be a licensed plumber who was qualified to do the job.

The defendant allegedly gave the victim a business card with the name of a plumbing business and a master plumber’s license number. In fact, it is alleged, the defendant was not licensed and was using the license number of a legitimate plumber without that person’s knowledge or consent.

The defendant allegedly agreed in a written contract that for $170,000 he would, among other things, re-pipe the kitchen and bathroom, install a new heating system, and do cement work. In the months that followed, the defendant claimed that various issues were coming up and periodically asked the victim for additional payments beyond the agreed upon price.

By November 22, 2021, it is alleged, the victim had paid the defendant a total of $305,000. The first floor was still substantially demolished. The defendant allegedly demanded more money before he would return and finish the job, but the victim refused. Instead, she eventually hired a new company, which asked her for information pertaining to the defendant’s business and licensing.

Finally, it is alleged, after a search of public records, the victim learned the defendant was not a licensed plumber and paid the new company $125,000 to fix what the defendant had done and to properly complete the renovations.

The case was investigated by a Detective Investigator from the District Attorney’s Investigations Bureau following a complaint that was made to the District Attorney’s Action Center.

The case is being prosecuted by Senior Assistant District Attorneys Joseph P. McGurk and Jessica White of the District Attorney’s Frauds Bureau, under the supervision of Assistant District Attorney Pamela Murray, Deputy Chief of the Frauds Bureau and Assistant District Attorney Gregory Pavlides, Chief of the Frauds Bureau, under the overall supervision of Assistant District Attorney Michel Spanakos, Deputy Chief of the 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.

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Wednesday, February 21, 2024

Brooklyn Woman Indicted for Allegedly

Running Over Another Woman Intentionally, Killing Her 

Tried to Strike Her Twice with Car Before Driving Over Victim Who Fell to Ground

Brooklyn District Attorney Eric Gonzalez today announced that a Brooklyn woman has been arraigned on an indictment charging her with murder for allegedly running over another woman inside a parking lot in East New York, Brooklyn. The incident was captured on surveillance video.

District Attorney Gonzalez said, “This defendant allegedly escalated an argument by cold heartedly and intentionally killing a woman with her car then driving away. This shocking and tragic murder was completely senseless and such violent behavior cannot be tolerated. We will now seek to hold the defendant accountable for her actions.”

The District Attorney identified the defendant as Naomi Broomes, 33, of East New York, Brooklyn. She was arraigned today before Brooklyn Supreme Court Justice Vincent Del Giudice on an indictment in which she is charged with second-degree murder, leaving the scene of an incident without reporting and criminal possession of a weapon. She was ordered held without bail and to return to court on May 17, 2024. The defendant faces up to 25 years to life in prison if convicted of the top count.

The District Attorney said that, according to the investigation, on January 11, 2024, just before 7:30 p.m., the defendant parked her car in a parking lot outside 1210 Loring Avenue, which is part of the Louis Pink Houses in East New York. A surveillance video that captured the entire incident showed that a man, which the investigation determined to be her boyfriend, walked away from his car, a 2006 Mercury sedan.

The video then shows a woman, identified as the victim, 24-year-old Shakira Serrano, who used to be romantically involved with the defendant’s boyfriend, approaching the car and starting to argue with its occupant, who’s in the driver’s seat. The boyfriend returned to the scene and tried to separate the two rivals. During the argument, the victim kicked and hit the vehicle.

The evidence shows that the defendant was driving the vehicle and twice attempted to strike the victim with the car but missed. The victim continued to struggle with the man who then shoved her to the ground. At that moment, the defendant allegedly accelerated the car and ran over the victim’s entire body, before driving away and leaving her boyfriend with the lifeless victim.

The victim was taken to Brookdale University Hospital Medical Center where she was pronounced dead.

The District Attorney thanked Paralegal James Morales of the District Attorney’s Homicide Bureau for his assistance on the case.

The case is being prosecuted by Senior Assistant District Attorney Joseph Mancino, of the District Attorney’s Homicide Bureau, under the supervision of Assistant District Attorney Leila Rosini, Bureau Chief.

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

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Tuesday, February 20, 2024

Bronx Man Sentenced to 18 Years to Life in Prison for Shooting Romantic Rival inside Ex-Girlfriend’s Home in Dyker Heights

Fired 16 Times Through Bedroom Door, Striking Victim Once in Head During Home Invasion

Brooklyn District Attorney Eric Gonzalez today announced that a Bronx man has been sentenced to 18 years to life in prison for fatally shooting a romantic rival inside his ex-girlfriend’s home in Dyker Heights, Brooklyn. After breaking into the home, the defendant fired 16 times through a bedroom door, striking the victim once in the head, killing him.

District Attorney Gonzalez said, “This defendant broke into a family’s home in the middle of the night, murdered an innocent man in cold blood and terrorized a mother and her young daughter at gun point. With today’s sentence, he has now been held accountable for his horrifying actions.”

The District Attorney identified the defendant as Adam Thomas, 33, of the Bronx. He was sentenced today by Brooklyn Supreme Court Justice Elizabeth Warin to 18 years to life in prison. The defendant pleaded guilty to second-degree murder on January 9, 2024.

The District Attorney said that, according to the evidence, on December 18, 2021, at approximately 12:16 a.m., the defendant broke into his ex-girlfriend’s home on 83rd Street in Dyker Heights. After climbing in a front window, the defendant, who was wearing a black ski-mask, encountered Justin Moncada, 30, in the hallway. Moncada saw the defendant and ran into a bedroom. The two men fought in the doorway, with Moncada shutting the door behind him. The defendant then fired 16 times through the door with a 9mm Smith & Wesson handgun. One of the shots struck Moncada in the head, killing him.

Furthermore, according to the evidence, the defendant then exited through the window while his ex-girlfriend called police. While the woman was on the phone, the defendant returned and pointed the gun at her and a six-year-old daughter she shared with Moncada. He then demanded she turn over her cellphone and purse while screaming, “You chose him! You made me do this!” Police arrived and arrested the defendant as he attempted to climb back out of the window.

The case was prosecuted by Assistant District Attorney Mark Pagliuco, Deputy Chief of the District Attorney’s Domestic Violence Bureau, and Senior District Attorney Jessica Soares, also of the Domestic Violence Bureau, under the supervision of Assistant District Attorney Kori Medow, Bureau Chief.

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Wednesday, February 14, 2024

Teacher Arraigned on Indictment Charging Him

With Sexual Abuse of Two Students 

Abuse Allegedly Occurred in Classroom at Intermediate School 218

Brooklyn District Attorney Eric Gonzalez today announced that a 59-year-old math teacher at I.S. 218, located at 370 Fountain Avenue, has been arraigned on an indictment in which he is charged with sexually abusing two students.

District Attorney Gonzalez said, “The conduct alleged in this indictment marks an incredible betrayal of trust by an educator, and we have no tolerance for this kind of abuse. Our schools must be safe havens for teaching and learning, and we will vigorously seek accountability for this defendant’s allegedly reprehensible actions.”

The District Attorney identified the defendant as Gary Simon, 59, of Flushing, Queens. He was arraigned today before Brooklyn Supreme Court Justice Rhonda Tomlinson on an indictment in which he is charged with first- and second-degree sexual abuse, forcible touching and endangering the welfare of a child. The defendant was ordered to return to court on April 7, 2024. Bail was continued at $15,000 cash or $30,000 bond.

The District Attorney said that, according to the investigation, between November 15, 2023 and December 15, 2023, a 13-year-old girl was in the defendant’s classroom finishing an assignment when the defendant allegedly wrote “you suck” on a paper she had handed him. When the student asked the defendant why he wrote that he allegedly grabbed her and touched her breasts with his hands.

Furthermore, according to the investigation, on December 7, 2023, a 12-year-old girl was in the defendant’s classroom taking a test when the defendant allegedly hugged the girl and touched her breasts with his hands. The victim told the defendant she was going to report him, according to the investigation, and he allegedly laughed and said, “make sure you spell my name right.”

The first victim reported the alleged abuse to her counselor and the second victim reported the alleged abuse to her gym teacher. The allegations were relayed to the school principal and police were notified. The defendant was arrested on December 28, 2023, following an investigation.

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

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

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Thursday, February 8, 2024

Brooklyn Man Sentenced to 9 ½ Years in Prison

Following Guilty Plea in Connection with Brownsville Shooting

Defendant Opened Fire in Broad Daylight and Struck Police Officer’s Vehicle, Causing Injury

Brooklyn District Attorney Eric Gonzalez announced today that a Brooklyn man has been sentenced to nine and a half years in prison for opening fire in Brownsville and striking a marked police car that was on patrol in the vicinity. A detective was injured by broken glass when a bullet shattered the driver’s side window. Two fired bullets were recovered inside the vehicle.

District Attorney Gonzalez said, “Thankfully, this NYPD detective was spared more serious injuries when this defendant fired a barrage of approximately nine rounds in broad daylight. Today’s sentence holds him accountable for his actions and will help to make the streets of Brooklyn safer.”

The District Attorney identified the defendant as Jah-Mike Woolridge, 28, of Brownsville, Brooklyn. The defendant was sentenced yesterday by Brooklyn Supreme Court Justice Miriam Cyrulnik to nine and a half years in prison and five years’ post-release supervision. The defendant pleaded guilty to first-degree attempted assault on January 10, 2024.

The District Attorney said that, according to the evidence, on June 23, 2022, at approximately 4:30 p.m., in the vicinity of Legion Street and Pitkin Avenue, following an earlier argument with a 23-year-old man, the defendant fired at a car that the man was driving which was stopped at a red light. The defendant fired multiple shots at the man’s car and into the intersection of Legion Street and Pitkin Avenue.

The victim’s car was struck multiple times and two rounds were recovered from inside his vehicle. The victim was not injured.

Furthermore, New York City Police Detective Sunjay Verma was driving west on Pitkin when he and his partner saw the defendant holding a black semi-automatic pistol and firing at the other vehicle. Detective Verma’s driver’s side window was hit by a bullet and shattered. The detective, who suffered injuries to his arm from the shattered glass, chased after the defendant, who fled into the nearby Brooklyn Gardens Housing Development, where a loaded black pistol was later recovered. Two rounds were recovered from inside the police car.

The defendant fled the scene. He was apprehended in Maryland by the Fugitive Task Force and the U.S. Marshals in November 2022 and returned to New York.

The case was prosecuted by Senior Assistant District Attorney Matthew Barg, of the District Attorney’s Orange Zone Trial Bureau, with the assistance of Assistant District Attorney Michael Trabulsi and Assistant District Attorney Iris Das, Deputy Chiefs of the Orange Zone, under the supervision of Assistant District Attorney Danielle Eaddy, Bureau Chief.

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Thursday, February 8, 2024

Illegal Cannabis Shop Employee Indicted for Felony Assault for

Allegedly Injuring Investigator Who Came to Shut Down the Store

Defendant Allegedly Pushed Victim Out and Closed Door on his Arm

Brooklyn District Attorney Eric Gonzalez today announced that a Brooklyn man has been indicted for felony assault and other charges for allegedly assaulting a Finance Supervising Investigator, working for the New York State Department of Taxation and Finance, who came to shut down the illegal cannabis store where the defendant worked.

District Attorney Gonzalez said, “This defendant didn’t just defy the law by working in a shop that sold unlicensed cannabis products, but also allegedly violently attacked an investigator as he tried to lawfully shut down the illegal business. In Brooklyn, we have no tolerance for attacks on law enforcement personnel and will now seek to hold the defendant fully accountable.”

John Harford, Deputy Commissioner of the New York State Department of Taxation and Finance, said, “Tax Department Criminal Investigators are engaged in vital work. Anyone who assaults them or otherwise interferes with their law enforcement duties should be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law. On behalf of the CID team and the entire Department, I want to thank Brooklyn DA Gonzalez and his office for their efforts in this case.”

The District Attorney identified the defendant as Arjante Moss, 27, of Downtown Brooklyn. He was arraigned yesterday before Brooklyn Supreme Court Justice Danny Chun on an indictment charging him with second-degree assault, second-degree obstructing governmental administration and second-degree harassment. The defendant is facing a maximum sentence of seven years in prison if convicted of the top count. He remained out on bail and was ordered to return to court on March 20, 2024.

The District Attorney said that, according to the evidence, the defendant was an employee at Big Chief Exotics Smoke Shop, located at 7323 Third Avenue in Bay Ridge, Brooklyn. On December 18, 2023, at approximately 12:40 p.m., a Finance Supervising Investigator from NYS Department of Taxation and Finance, came to shut down the store pursuant to a closure order obtained in Supreme Court by the Attorney General’s Office.

When the defendant realized the visitor was a law enforcement agent, he allegedly pushed him out and closed the door on his arm. The victim managed to extricate his arm from the doorframe, sustaining bruising to the left arm. He was treated at New York University Langone Hospital and released.

Agents proceeded to permanently close down the store, which has been the subject of two previous inspections by the Office of Cannabis Management, during which unlicensed marijuana products were seized and notices of violation and orders to cease unlicensed activity were issued.

The case is being prosecuted by Senior Assistant District Attorney Joel Greenwald of the District Attorney’s Asset Forfeiture and Crimes Against Revenue Bureau, under the supervision of Assistant District Attorney Diana Villanueva, Deputy Bureau Chief, and the overall supervision of Assistant District Attorney Patricia McNeill, Chief of the District Attorney’s Investigations Division.

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

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Tuesday, February 6, 2024

Brooklyn Man Sentenced to 25 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 25 years to life in prison for a shooting that left a 21-year-old man dead. The defendant and his 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, “Anthony Francis was a beloved son, brother, nephew and cousin who was just 21 years old when he was shot and killed in a senseless act of gang violence. The lengthy sentences resulting from his murder underscore my commitment to protecting our communities from dangerous gang rivalries that harm too many young people.”

The District Attorney identified the defendant as Tarell Herbert, 30, of Brooklyn. He was sentenced today by Brooklyn Supreme Court Justice Heidi Cesare to 25 years to life in prison. The defendant was convicted of second-degree murder and two counts of second-degree criminal possession of a weapon on November 8, 2023, following a jury trial. His co-defendant, Tristan Murray, 31, of Brooklyn, was sentenced by Justice Cesare to 35 years to life in prison last June. Murray 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 District Attorney said that, according to the evidence, on September 2, 2016, just after 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 Murray drove up to the BMW at approximately 7:26 p.m. and opened fire at point-blank range from their passenger side window into the BMW.

The defendants 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,” which is a way that Woo members greet each other, according to trial testimony. The defendants then opened fire. The victim, who was struck in the chest, pushed his girlfriend out of the car just before he died. Multiple .40 caliber and .45 caliber shell casings were found at the scene and Francis’ BMW was riddled with .40 and .45 caliber bullets.

The case was investigated by NYPD Detective Steven Yatchenya and the NYPD Brooklyn South Homicide Task Force, as well as a Detective Investigator assigned to the District Attorney’s Special Investigations Unit.

The District Attorney thanked the Detective Investigators of the Special Investigations Unit, as well as analysts assigned to the DA’s Digital Evidence Lab, for their work on the case. The District Attorney additionally thanked Violent Criminal Enterprises Bureau Paralegals Diane Fields-Vernon and Tania Lopez for their assistance.

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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