Year: 2021

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Monday, June 7, 2021

 

Bronx Woman Indicted for Fatally Shooting Ex-Girlfriend
Execution-Style Outside Park Slope Deli

Defendant Allegedly Shot Victim Once in Attack Captured on Video;
Turned Herself in to Police Later that Day

Brooklyn District Attorney Eric Gonzalez today announced that a Bronx woman has been arraigned on an indictment in which she is charged with second-degree murder for fatally shooting her ex-girlfriend outside a Park Slope deli in a mid-day ambush caught on surveillance video.

District Attorney Gonzalez said, “This broad-daylight shooting tragically cut short the life of a beloved mother and a treasured member of a local neighborhood and faith-based community. The horrific violence this defendant allegedly committed was shocking and senseless. I encourage anyone experiencing violence or abuse at the hands of an intimate partner or a former partner to contact the trained counselors of our Victim Services Unit at 718-250-3820.”

The District Attorney identified the defendant as Latisha Bell, 39, of Grand Concourse, in the Bronx. She was arraigned today before Brooklyn Supreme Court Justice Matthew D’Emic on an indictment in which she is charged with one count of second-degree murder and two counts of second-degree criminal possession of a weapon. The defendant was ordered held without bail and to return to court on July 19, 2021. She 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 April 21, at approximately 1 p.m., the defendant allegedly approached Nichelle Thomas, 52, from behind as she entered a deli at the corner of Saint Marks Place and Fourth Avenue in Park Slope and fatally shot her once in the back of the head.

Thomas was a mother of two and a grandmother who was in graduate school to become a social worker. She was also a prominent and active member of Emmanuel Baptist Church in Clinton Hill. She died at New York Presbyterian Brooklyn Methodist Hospital.

A few hours after the shooting, the defendant turned herself in at the New York City Police Department’s 78th Precinct where police recovered the .38 caliber revolver the defendant allegedly used in the shooting.

Surveillance video from outside the deli allegedly shows the defendant approach the victim from behind and open fire execution-style at close range.

The case is being prosecuted by Senior Assistant District Attorney Elaine Albenda, of the District Attorney’s Domestic Violence Bureau, under the supervision of Assistant District Attorney Michelle Kaminsky, Bureau Chief.

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

 

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Wednesday, June 2, 2021

 

Driver Who Allegedly Sped the Wrong Way into Intersection, T-Boned by Another Car and Fatally Struck Pedestrian Indicted for Manslaughter

Rosana Lopez, 53, Was Killed While Legally Crossing the Flatlands Intersection

Brooklyn District Attorney Eric Gonzalez today announced that a Crown Heights, Brooklyn man has been indicted for reckless manslaughter and related charges in connection with a vehicular crash that killed a 53-year-old woman who was legally crossing a Flatlands street in December 2020.

District Attorney Gonzalez said, “This defendant allegedly made a series of dangerous decisions that led to him speeding the wrong way on a one-way street into a busy intersection, causing a pedestrian to lose her life. We have zero tolerance for reckless and unlawful driving in Brooklyn, and, with the help of our Street Safety Bureau, have stepped up indictments against drivers who kill or injure others. Everyone using our streets and roads must do so in a legal and responsible manner.”

The District Attorney identified the defendant as Michael Rajpaul, 23, of Crown Heights Brooklyn. He was arraigned today by Brooklyn Supreme Court Justice Matthew Sciarrino on an indictment in which he is charged with second-degree manslaughter, second-degree assault, criminally negligent homicide and related charges. He faces up to 15 years in prison if convicted of the top count. He remains out on $75,000 bail and was ordered to return to court on July 20, 2021.

The District Attorney said that, according to the investigation, on December 9, 2020, the defendant was allegedly driving a 2008 Hyundai on Kings Highway when he hit a black BMW in traffic, causing minor damage. The defendant allegedly didn’t stop and drove off the highway with the BMW following behind him. At about 10:14 a.m., the defendant turned off Foster Avenue onto East 55th Street going the wrong way on a one-way street.

It is alleged that the defendant, driving at a high rate of speed, entered the intersection of Glenwood Road without stopping or slowing down. There was steady cross traffic on Glenwood Road and a 2009 Honda, proceeding through a green light, struck the defendant’s car. The Hyundai spun into the south crosswalk of East 55th and struck Rosana Lopez who was crossing inside the crosswalk with the walk sign. She was taken to Kings County Hospital, where she was later pronounced dead.

The case is being prosecuted by Assistant District Attorney Mark Rapisarda of the District Attorney’s Red Zone Trial Bureau, under the supervision of Assistant District Attorney Karla Watson, Bureau Chief. Senior Assistant District Attorney Jacob Uriel, of the District Attorney’s Street Safety Bureau, and Senior Assistant District Attorney Katherine Sessa, of the Red Zone, assisted in the investigation.

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

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Thursday, May 27, 2021

 

Defendant Indicted for Operating a Ponzi Scheme,
Stealing Over $1.3 Million from 14 Victims

Defendant Allegedly Told Victims that She Would Buy Discounted Properties
For Them at a Private Auction, Which Did Not Exist

Brooklyn District Attorney Eric Gonzalez today announced that a defendant has been arraigned on a 40-count indictment in which she is charged with stealing over $1.3 million from 14 victims in a fraudulent real estate investment scheme in which victims were allegedly told their money would be used to purchase discounted Brooklyn properties at a private auction. It is alleged that no properties were ever purchased, and that the defendant reimbursed some money to older investors, who demanded their funds, using money from more recent investors.

District Attorney Gonzalez said, “This defendant allegedly created an elaborate ploy to convince people to invest their money in what amounted to a Ponzi scheme. This is another example where Brooklyn’s valuable real estate market was exploited for criminal gains. We will now seek to get justice for the many individuals who were swindled out of thousands of dollars.”

The District Attorney identified the defendant as Regine Norman, a.k.a., Regine Ellis, 66. She was arraigned today before Brooklyn Supreme Court Justice Danny Chun on a 40-count indictment in which she is charged with second- and third-degree grand larceny, first-degree scheme to defraud, second-degree criminal possession of a forged instrument and related charges. Bail was set at $350,000 bond or $100,000 cash, and she was ordered to return to court on August 2, 2021.

The District Attorney said that, according to the investigation, between May 2018 and September 2020, the defendant allegedly engaged in a real estate fraud scheme in which she told her victims that she had access to buy properties located in Brooklyn and in the surrounding New York area, at a discount, usually by falsely claiming that she was a member of a private real estate auction. She then allegedly convinced her victims to wire her money for down payments on the properties.

After obtaining the down payment, the defendant allegedly provided her victims with fraudulent contracts of sale, which often included the forged signature of the actual property owner, and never used the funds to purchase any property. Among the properties were more than a dozen located in Brooklyn.

Furthermore, according to the investigation, the Department of State has no record of any business entity called “NY Private Auction Inc.,” the private auction company the defendant allegedly claimed to be a member of. The defendant allegedly provided her victims little information about the private auction, telling many victims that they could not attend or speak to anyone at the auction because only members had access.

Moreover, it is alleged that the actual owners of the various properties the defendant claimed were being auctioned never put their properties up for sale at auction and never retained the defendant as a broker or agent with the authority to buy or sell their properties.

Over the course of the defendant’s alleged scheme, several victims suspected they had been defrauded and repeatedly demanded the defendant return their money. The defendant, after holding on to victims’ money for an extended period of time, allegedly returned the full amount of the stolen funds to four victims using money stolen from more recent victims and paid a portion of the stolen funds to three other victims. The defendant allegedly has not returned any funds to seven of the victims.

It is alleged that the victims invested amounts ranging from $9,000 to as much as $350,000. Of the total $1.3 million allegedly received from investors, the defendant returned approximately $306,000. Approximately $998,000 is still outstanding.

The case was investigated by Detective Investigators assigned to the District Attorney’s Investigations Bureau and Investigative Analyst Dylan Camche. Supervising Financial Investigator Deborah Wey, of the District Attorney’s Investigations Division, assisted in the investigation.

The case is being prosecuted by Senior Assistant District Attorney Abigail Rosen, of the District Attorney’s Frauds Bureau, under the supervision of Assistant District Attorney Richard Farrell, Chief of the Real Estate Fraud Unit, Assistant District Attorney Gregory C. Pavlides, Chief of the Frauds Bureau, and Assistant District Attorney Michel Spanakos, Deputy Chief of the Investigations Division, and the overall supervision of Assistant District Attorney Patricia McNeill, Chief of the Investigations Division.

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

 

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Thursday, May 27, 2021

 

Brooklyn Man Arraigned on Indictment Charging Him With
Assault and Menacing as Hate Crimes Related to
Three Anti-Asian Hate Incidents

Defendant Allegedly Targeted His Victims Because of Their Race
in Three Attacks Over the Course of a Month

Brooklyn District Attorney Eric Gonzalez today announced that a Brooklyn man was arraigned on a 19-count indictment in which he is charged with assault as a hate crime, menacing as a hate crime and aggravated harassment in connection with three separate incidents in which he allegedly violently assaulted two Asian women and an elderly Asian man.

District Attorney Gonzalez said, “Without warning or provocation, this defendant allegedly attacked three innocent strangers because of their race. We have no patience for hate or intolerance in Brooklyn and everyone, regardless of their race, ethnicity, sexual orientation, gender, or religion, should feel safe to walk the streets without fear of being senselessly and violently attacked. We will continue to work with our partners in the community to address this disturbing rise in anti-Asian hate crimes and bring the perpetrators of bias-motivated crimes to justice.”

The District Attorney identified the defendant as Joseph Russo, 29, of Bensonhurst, Brooklyn. He was arraigned today on a 19-count indictment in which he is charged with second-degree assault, third-degree assault as a hate crime, third-degree menacing as a hate crime, aggravated harassment, and related charges before Brooklyn Supreme Court Justice Danny Chun. The defendant was ordered held on bail of $50,000 cash or $100,000 bond and to return to court on July 13, 2021.

The District Attorney said that, according to the investigation, the defendant allegedly assaulted and/or menaced three Asian individuals in the following incidents:

• On Friday, March 5, 2021, at approximately 9:20 a.m., at the corner of Kings Highway and West 6^th Street, the defendant allegedly walked directly in front of a 64-year-old woman and pushed her to the ground, causing the victim to fall and suffer pain to the body.

• On Monday, March 22, 2021, at approximately 7:40 a.m., on Kings Highway near East 13^th Street, the defendant allegedly approached a 32-year-old woman as she walked towards the train station and pulled her hair, violently dragging her to the ground and causing pain to the victim’s back.

• On Monday, April 5, 2021, at approximately 11:15 a.m., the defendant allegedly approached a 77-year-old man standing outside J & RNY Supermarket at 1406 Avenue U and pushed him from behind, causing the victim to fall to the ground and suffer bruising and pain to his hand.

Surveillance video captured the defendant during all three of the alleged attacks. A detective with the New York Police Department’s 62^nd Detective Squad was able to identify the defendant from the surveillance video.

The case was investigated by New York City Police Detective Daniel Zhang of the Hate Crimes Task Force. Paralegal Michael Chung of the Brooklyn District Attorney’s Office assisted with the investigation.

The case is being prosecuted by Assistant District Attorney Samantha Perlstein, of the District Attorney’s Hate Crimes Bureau, under the supervision of Assistant District Attorney Ari Farkas, Deputy Chief of the Hate Crimes Bureau, and overall supervision of Assistant District Attorney Kelli Muse, Chief of the Hate Crimes Bureau.

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

 

 

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Thursday, May 20, 2021

 

Brooklyn Man Who Allegedly Shot and Killed One Man, Injured Another, And Shot at Police Officers in Bedford-Stuyvesant Charged in 36-Count Indictment

Defendant Allegedly Fled from Homicide and When Confronted by Police Officers, Opened Fire

Brooklyn District Attorney Eric Gonzalez today announced that a Brooklyn man has been arraigned on an indictment in which he is charged with murder, attempted murder of a police officer and other charges for fatally shooting one man, shooting and injuring another man and then opening fire on three police officers a short time later – striking and injuring one officer.

District Attorney Gonzalez said, “This defendant’s allegedly brazen actions left an innocent man dead and two others injured, including a police officer, who fortunately was protected from more serious injuries by his bulletproof vest. We will now seek to bring this defendant to justice for allegedly shooting three individuals and endangering many others.

The District Attorney identified the defendant as Boyce Hayward, 26, of Bushwick, Brooklyn. He was arraigned virtually today from Brookdale University Hospital before Brooklyn Supreme Court Justice Danny Chun on a 36-count indictment in which he is charged with second-degree murder, first- and second-degree attempted murder, first- and second-degree assault, attempted aggravated assault on a police officer, second-degree criminal possession of a weapon and related charges. The defendant was ordered held without bail and to return to court on July 13, 2021. He faces up to life in prison for his alleged actions.

The District Attorney said that, according to the investigation, on May 12, 2021, at approximately 11:11 p.m., at the corner of Madison Street and Broadway, in the confines of the 83rd Precinct, the defendant allegedly approached a vehicle stopped at a light and fired multiple shots into the vehicle, striking and killing Randall Roberts, 28, and seriously injuring another passenger.

Minutes later, at approximately 11:15 p.m., the defendant was observed walking along Howard Avenue, near Saratoga Park, between Halsey Street and Macon Street in the 83rd Precinct, about five blocks from where he had just shot and killed Randall Roberts.

Police Officers Brian McGurran, Matthew Perry and Sergeant Kevin Beasley, of the 81st Precinct, saw the defendant after they received information regarding the shooting at Madison Street and Broadway.

Police Officer McGurran walked towards the defendant, who immediately turned around and allegedly fired at the police officers multiple times. The police officers returned fire, including Officer McGurran, who was struck multiple times. The defendant was also struck.

Officer McGurran was shot in the upper back, buttocks and thigh. He was treated at Kings County Hospital and released. The defendant was struck in the buttocks. He was taken to Brookdale University Hospital.

The case is being prosecuted by Assistant District Attorney Joseph Alexis, Chief of the Trial Division, and Senior District Attorney Robert P. Schwartz, of the District Attorney’s Homicide Bureau.

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

 

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Tuesday, May 18, 2021

 

Driver Who Crashed on Gowanus Expressway While Allegedly Driving Drunk and Speeding Indicted for Manslaughter

Allegedly Rear-Ended Tractor Trailer while Speeding Under the Influence,
Front Passenger Died in the Crash

Brooklyn District Attorney Eric Gonzalez today announced that a Staten Island man has been arraigned on an indictment in which he is charged with manslaughter, vehicular manslaughter and operating a vehicle while under the influence of alcohol. The defendant was allegedly intoxicated and speeding when he rear-ended a tractor trailer on the Gowanus Expressway. A 30-year-old woman in the front passenger’s seat of the defendant’s vehicle died in the crash.

District Attorney Gonzalez said, “This defendant allegedly made the regrettable decision to get behind the wheel after drinking alcohol. The evidence makes clear that he was in no condition to operate a vehicle, and that his recklessness cost the life of his passenger, a young woman with her whole life ahead of her. We will now seek to bring the defendant to justice.”

The District Attorney identified the defendant as Mark Dookhan, 31, of Staten Island, New York. He was arraigned yesterday by Brooklyn Supreme Court Justice Dineen Riviezzo on an eight-count indictment in which he is charged with second-degree manslaughter, second-degree vehicular manslaughter, second-degree assault, operating a motor vehicle under the influence of alcohol, and related charges. He faces up to 15 years in prison if convicted of the top count. He remains out on $300,000 bail and was ordered to return to court on July 26, 2021.

The District Attorney said that, according to the investigation, on March 10, 2021 at approximately 11:20 p.m., the defendant was allegedly driving a 2013 BMW 535i west bound on the Gowanus Expressway when he crashed into the rear of a tractor trailer stopped in traffic near the Verrazano Bridge. The defendant’s front seat passenger, Karen Diaz, 30, was killed in the collision.

It is alleged, according to the investigation, that the defendant was driving at approximately 75 miles per hour and that he applied the brakes only a half-second before the crash. The defendant was arrested at approximately 1:15 a.m. on March 11, 2021 and allegedly had a blood alcohol level of .12—above the legal limit of .08— when he was treated for minor injuries at NYU Langone Hospital-Brooklyn.

The case is being prosecuted by Assistant District Attorney Edward Kerins, of the District Attorney’s Blue Zone Trial Bureau, under the supervision of Assistant District Attorney Kin W. Ng, Bureau Chief.

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

 

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Thursday, May 13, 2021

 

Flatbush Landlord Indicted for Manslaughter in Connection
With Fatal Fire That Left One Dead

Defendant Allegedly Rented Out Illegally Subdivided Apartment Leading to Unsafe Conditions,
Deceased Victim Rented So-Called “Dead Man’s Room”

Brooklyn District Attorney Eric Gonzalez, together with New York City Department of Investigation Commissioner Margaret Garnett, New York City Buildings Commissioner Melanie E. La Rocca and New York City Fire Commissioner Daniel A. Nigro, today announced that the owner of a Flatbush apartment building who rented out rooms in an illegally subdivided apartment has been indicted on manslaughter and other charges stemming from a fatal fire caused by a space heater that left one tenant dead and several injured. The deceased victim was trapped in his room with no way to escape the fire and jumped from a third-floor window to his death.

District Attorney Gonzalez said, “This defendant was well aware of the dangers he allegedly created and allowed to persist, but tragically and disastrously chose to disregard building safety regulations leaving a tenant with no way to escape the fire. His alleged reckless disregard for the law and his failure to protect his tenants cost a man his life. We will now seek to hold him accountable for his actions.”

Commissioner Garnett said, “This tragedy was preventable and exemplifies why disregarding New York City building laws is not only illegal but also dangerous conduct. Apartments without safe escape routes or without the proper fire safeguards can have grave consequences as this incident demonstrates. DOI thanks the Brooklyn District Attorney’s Office and the City’s Buildings and Fire Departments for their partnership in exposing this wrongdoing and holding accountable those who choose to undermine safety by flouting the rules.”

Commissioner La Rocca said, “This case shows how chopping up apartments with illegal and unsafe construction can have deadly consequences. The fact is this tragic fatal fire could have been avoided, if not for the owner’s reckless disregard for both the law and the safety of his tenants. We thank District Attorney Gonzalez and our partner agencies for bringing charges in this important case, and we are proud to join in this critical effort of holding bad actors accountable.”

Commissioner Nigro said, “When critical safety regulations are ignored and apartments are illegally subdivided, lives are needlessly placed in danger. In this instance, a life was tragically lost due to fire. Thank you to the Department of Investigation, the Department of Buildings, and the Brooklyn District Attorney’s office for their collaboration on this investigation with our Fire Marshals, which we hope will prevent future tragedies from occurring.”

The District Attorney identified the defendant as Evener Leon, 62, of Flatbush, Brooklyn. He was arraigned today before Brooklyn Supreme Court Justice Danny Chun on a seven-count indictment in which he is charged with second-degree manslaughter, criminally negligent homicide, second-degree reckless endangerment and four counts of endangering the welfare of a child. The defendant was released without bail and ordered to return to court on June 30, 2021. He faces up to 15 years in prison if convicted of the top count.

The District Attorney said that, according to the investigation, Leon was the owner of 1776 Nostrand Avenue, a three-story, two-family dwelling with a commercial space on the first floor. The defendant and his family lived in the second-floor apartment and the third-floor apartment was divided into four illegal apartments occupied by a total of seven adults and four children.

Furthermore, it is alleged, the building did not have gas or heat because the defendant stopped paying his utility bills years before the fire. Instead, he provided tenants with space heaters and they used hot plates to cook their meals.

On December 2, 2019, at approximately 4:00 a.m., a two-alarm fire erupted at 1776 Nostrand Avenue, starting on the second floor and spreading to the third floor, according to the investigation. Eight adults and five children were home at the time. Most suffered some smoke inhalation and other injuries as they crowded onto a rear fire escape to get out of the building.

A tenant who occupied a small room in the front of the building, Jean Yves Lalanne, 70, was trapped by the fire in what firefighters refer to as a “dead man’s room” because once the fire engulfed the stairwell he had no way to exit. There was no fire escape in the front of the building, and he was unable to reach the rear fire escape because of the layout of the third floor. Lalanne jumped from the third-floor window and fell to his death.

Fire Marshals determined that it was an electrical fire that started in the insulation of a cord connected to a space heater in the rear bedroom on the second floor and spread up to the third floor.

The Department of Buildings determined that Mr. Lalanne did not have free and unobstructed access to exits. Additionally, there were no sprinkler heads on the second or third floors, and there were no fire-proof or self-closing doors on the third floor.

The District Attorney thanked the New York City Department of Investigation, the New York City Department of Buildings and the New York City Fire Department for their assistance in this investigation.

The case is being prosecuted by Senior Assistant District Attorney Elliot Wertheim, Special Counsel to the Frauds Bureau Frank Longobardi and Senior Assistant District Attorney Rina Lee, of the District Attorney’s Frauds Bureau, under the supervision of Assistant District Attorney Samantha Magnani, Chief of the District Attorney’s Construction Crimes and Labor Fraud Unit and the overall supervision of Michel Spanakos, Deputy Chief of the District Attorney’s Investigations Division, and Assistant District Attorney Patricia McNeill, Chief.

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

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Monday, May 10, 2021

 

Sunset Park Attorney Sentenced to One to Three Years in Prison for Stealing Approximately $280,000 From Two Clients He Represented In the Sale of Their Homes

Defendant Stole Down Payments Held in Escrow;
Pleaded Guilty to Grand Larceny

Brooklyn District Attorney Eric Gonzalez today announced that a Sunset Park attorney has been sentenced to 1 to 3 years in prison for stealing approximately $280,000 in down payments he received to hold in escrow from two clients he represented in the sale of their homes. The defendant pleaded guilty to second-degree grand larceny in December 2020.

District Attorney Gonzalez said, “Today’s sentence holds this defendant accountable for the serious breach of trust and financial hardship he caused his victims. Let this serve as a reminder that I am committed to protecting Brooklyn’s residents from attorneys and other unscrupulous fraudsters who abuse their positions of authority to take advantage of those they are entrusted to advise and represent.”

The District Attorney identified the defendant as Edmundo Roman-Perez, 71, of Sunset Park, Brooklyn. He was sentenced today to an indeterminate term of 1 to 3 years in prison by Brooklyn Supreme Court Justice Danny Chun. The defendant pleaded guilty to second-degree grand larceny on December 15, 2020.

The District Attorney said that, according to the investigation, in late 2018, a couple hired the defendant to represent them in the sale of their two-family, Sunset Park home. The home sold for $1,350,000 and the defendant received a $135,000 down payment from the buyers that he should have held in his attorney escrow account until the date of closing, when the funds should have been released to his clients. Instead, the defendant used the money for his own benefit. After closing in March 2019, the defendant issued checks to his clients purporting to cover the $135,000 owed, which bounced upon deposit. The defendant failed to disburse the funds he owed to his clients.

Similarly, between November 2018 and April 2019, the defendant represented three brothers in the sale of their two-family home in Dyker Heights. The home sold for $1,500,000 and the defendant received a $150,000 down payment from the buyers that he should have held in his attorney escrow account until closing, when he should have released the money to his clients. Instead, the defendant again used the money for his own benefit, and issued the brothers checks purporting to cover the funds owed to each of them. The checks bounced and the defendant failed to distribute the funds he owed to the brothers.

Additionally, the defendant was under indictment in Richmond County related to allegations that he stole client funds. In November 2020, he pleaded guilty to one count of third-degree grand larceny and received a sentence of 1 to 3 years in prison. The Brooklyn and Staten Island sentences will run concurrently.

The case was investigated by Supervising Financial Investigator Deborah Wey of the District Attorney’s Investigations Division.

The case was prosecuted by Senior Assistant District Attorney Katherine Zdrojeski of the District Attorney’s Public Integrity Bureau, under the supervision of Assistant District Attorney Laura Neubauer, Chief of the Public Integrity Bureau, and Assistant District Attorney Michel Spanakos, Deputy Chief of the Investigations Division, and the overall supervision of Assistant District Attorney Patricia McNeill, Chief of the Investigations Division.

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Monday, May 10, 2021

 

New Jersey Attorney Indicted for Allegedly Stealing Approximately $240,000 From Client He Represented in the Sale of Her Property

Defendant Allegedly Withheld Down Payment in Real Estate Transaction,
Transferred Money to His Personal Bank Account

Brooklyn District Attorney Eric Gonzalez today announced that a New Jersey attorney has been arraigned on an indictment in which he is charged with grand larceny for allegedly stealing approximately $239,500 in funds he received, and was not entitled to, while representing a client in the sale of her deceased sister’s estate.

District Attorney Gonzalez said, “This defendant allegedly abused his power and betrayed his client to steal hundreds of thousands of dollars to which he was not entitled and has not returned despite the victim’s repeated attempts to contact him. We will now seek to hold him accountable for this flagrant and brazen theft.”

The District Attorney identified the defendant as Antoni Moszczynski, 67, of Madison, New Jersey, who had an office in Greenpoint, Brooklyn. He was arraigned today in front of Brooklyn Supreme Court Justice Danny Chun 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 June 29, 2021.

The District Attorney said that, according to the investigation, in December 2019, the defendant, an attorney who is currently licensed to practice law in New York, represented the victim in the sale of her property at 584 Leonard Street. The victim, who was appointed executrix of her deceased sister’s estate, entered contract of sale for $2.395 million.

It is alleged that on December 2, 2019, the defendant received a wired down payment from the buyer into his escrow account in the amount of $239,500. Furthermore, it is alleged that, within a week, the defendant transferred $210,000 into his personal bank account with Wells Fargo, and within three months had withdrawn or spent the remainder of the down payment.

The victim retained a different attorney to represent the estate at the closing, which took place on June 30, 2020. The defendant was allegedly not present at the closing and has not answered calls from the victim or her attorney. To date, the defendant has not given the victim or the estate the down payment he allegedly stole.

If you believe that you or someone you know is the victim of fraud or theft perpetrated by the defendant, please call the District Attorney’s Action Center at (718) 250-2340.

This 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 Laura Neubauer, Chief of the Public Integrity Bureau, and Assistant District Attorney Michel Spanakos, Deputy Chief of the Investigations Division, and the overall supervision of Assistant District Attorney Patricia McNeill, Chief of the Investigations Division.

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

 

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Thursday, May 6, 2021

 

Two Alleged Hoolie Gang Members Charged in Murder of One-Year-Old
Davell Gardner in Bedford-Stuyvesant Shooting Last July;
Total of 18 Defendants Named in 63-Count Indictment Which Includes Four Homicides and Eight Non-Fatal Shootings

Defendants Were Allegedly Engaged in Gang War with Rival 900 Street Gang, Whose Members Were Subject of Earlier Takedown in January; Seven Shooting Victims Were Innocent

Brooklyn District Attorney Eric Gonzalez, together with New York City Police Commissioner Dermot Shea, today announced that 18 alleged members of the Hoolie street gang are variously charged in a 63-count indictment with murder, conspiracy to commit murder and to possess weapons, attempted murder and related charges. Among the four homicides charged in the indictment is the shooting death of Davell Gardner, who was just 22 months old, during a cookout in Bedford-Stuyvesant last summer.

District Attorney Gonzalez said, “Insidious gang violence as we allege in this case has taken and traumatized far too many lives, including many innocents such as Davell Gardner – a bright and loved baby boy with his whole life ahead of him. Today’s indictment of these alleged Hoolies gang members is the second part of a larger investigation that saw 19 of their rival 900 gang members indicted in January for violent crimes, including some who were charged with multiple shootings and murder. I am committed to working with the New York City Police Department to focus on the most violent offenders who we allege drive most of the violent crime in Brooklyn to keep our communities safe and bring justice to the many victims who they have harmed.”

Commissioner Shea said, “These defendants, by their alleged actions, were willing to kill rivals or even fellow gang members and do so without regard for innocent people caught in the crossfire. In one case, the victim was a one-year-old boy, Davell Gardner. This violence has to stop and cases like these are only made more solid when NYPD detectives and Assistant District Attorneys work hand-in-glove to build them from the beginning.”

The District Attorney said that 11 of the defendants were arrested yesterday and six were already in custody on other charges. One remains at large. Seven were arraigned before Brooklyn Supreme Court Justice Danny Chun yesterday and one will be arraigned today. The rest of the defendants will be arraigned at a later date. The defendants are variously charged with second-degree murder, second-degree attempted murder, second- and fourth-degree conspiracy, first- and second-degree assault, first-degree attempted assault, first-degree reckless endangerment and second-degree criminal possession of a weapon. Ten of the defendants are charged with second- degree murder and face up to 25 years to life in prison. (See defendant addendum).

The District Attorney said that, according to the indictment, the defendants are allegedly members of a violent street gang known as Hoolies, primarily based in and around the Roosevelt Housing Development in Bedford-Stuyvesant. They are made up of members who also affiliate with several Blood, Crip and Folk gang sets, such as the MackBallers, Blood Stone Villains, Bloodhound Brims, Grape Street Crips, 823 Crips and Gangster Disciple Folk.

It is alleged that the reason for Hoolies to commit acts of violence include retaliation against rival gangs and to display the gang’s strength.

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

It is alleged that Hoolies member, during the course of the investigation, committed four murders, as well as eight non-fatal shootings involving nine victims. Of the 13 victims, seven were innocent people who were not rivals of the defendants. Among the incidents were the following:

• December 4 & 5, 2018:

Alleged Hoolie members Jahlil Grant, Akeem Artis and Oras Howard were shot at in Hoolie territory, allegedly by 900 member Jamel Gordon and another individual. Grant was killed and Artis was wounded. Howard was not struck. This allegedly set off a chain of retaliatory shootings by Hoolie members to avenge the death of Grant and shooting of Artis, including the 7:22 p.m. shooting of an innocent bystander, allegedly by Rasheen Parnell, at the intersection of Ralph Avenue and Bainbridge Street. That victim, a 23-year-old man, suffered four bullet wounds to the left torso, back of upper leg and groin and was left paralyzed.

At approximately 10:17 p.m., Tyree Walker, 35, who was not a rival, walked towards the front entrance to his home at 997 Myrtle Avenue and was shot multiple times in his torso, allegedly by Travis Scott, and died.

On December 5, 2018, at approximately 12:40 a.m., on Dean Street, near the entrance to the Kingsborough Houses, another innocent bystander, a 43-year-old man, was shot in the chest and survived. 

• March 3, 2020:

At approximately 12:16 a.m., Dashawn Austin and Jayquan Lane entered the Kinanm Lounge on Atlantic Avenue where alleged gang rival Janile Whitted was also in attendance. It is alleged that Austin and Lane left the lounge, and shortly thereafter tracked Whitted when he left the lounge, following him to Amour Cabaret, a few blocks away on Nostrand Avenue. As Whitted socialized outside the club, at approximately 3:10 a.m., Austin allegedly walked through the crowd, and fired several shots into Whitted’s chest at close range. He was taken to Kings County Hospital where he later died.

• July 12, 2020:

At approximately 11:15 p.m. a three-car caravan (Mercedes, Audi and Volkswagen) was observed lining up in front of 365 Pulaski Street; such caravans are known as a “blocker” car, a “chase” car and a “shooter” car. Dashawn Austin was seen entering the passenger side of the Audi with Akeem Artis in the driver’s seat. The caravan was spotted by a police car, which activated its lights. The Volkswagen then sped away at a high rate of speed to draw the police away from the shooter car. The Mercedes and the Audi turned on to Madison Street, near a park where there was a cookout, then circled the block and returned moments later. The cars parked, and, it is alleged, Dashawn Austin and a second shooter, fired into a group of people attending the cookout. Four people were shot, including Davell Gardner, who later died. The other victims, all innocent bystanders, survived.

• September 1, 2020:

At approximately 10:20 p.m., Freedom Williams and Lamore Weems entered a bodega at 147 Park Avenue. Alleged 900 gang rival member Tavon Parker pulled up to the bodega shortly thereafter and entered while Williams and Weems were inside. Parker purchased a beverage then left and returned to his car. It is alleged that Williams then fired three shots into the front driver’s side window, striking Parker in the head. Parker died of his injuries on September 4, 2020.

The indictment also charges the following shooting incidents that did not result in death:

• The May 15, 2018 non-fatal shooting of an alleged 900 gang member in the courtyard of the Marcy Houses. The victim was shot multiple times at close range.

• The non-fatal shooting of an individual who was not a gang rival on March 23, 2019, in the vicinity of 65 Tompkins Avenue. The victim was shot in the arm.

• The April 4, 2020 non-fatal shooting of an individual who was shot in the back while riding a bicycle on Throop Avenue in 900 territory.

• The August 8, 2020 non-fatal shooting on Pulaski Street, in Hoolie territory, into the vehicle of an alleged 900 member.

           During the course of the conspiracy, it is alleged, incarcerated Hoolies members communicated with non-incarcerated members in jail phone calls to keep up to date on the status of members or to discuss violent acts. The defendants also allegedly used social media platforms including Facebook and Instagram to demonstrate their gang membership and to broadcast gang activity. They allegedly also posted music videos to YouTube containing song lyrics referencing the status of rivalries and referring to acts of violence committed by gang members.

            The Hoolies investigation was conducted by New York City Police Department Detective Douglas Rome and Detective Michael Algieri of the Gun Violence Suppression Division, under the supervision of Sergeant Scott McKenna and Sergeant Andrew Dunton, and the overall supervision of Inspector Jason Savino.

The case is being prosecuted by Senior Assistant District Attorneys Thomas Teplitsky, Joy Kieras and James Slattery of the District Attorney’s Violent Criminal Enterprises Bureau, under the supervision of Assistant District Attorneys Leila Rosini and Jen Cilia, Deputy Bureau Chiefs, and Assistant District Attorney Alfred DeIngeniis, Bureau Chief, together with Assistant District Attorney Howard Jackson, Deputy Chief of the Homicide Bureau. 

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

             DEFENDANT ADDENDUM:

1. Travis Scott, 33, of Bedford-Stuyvesant.
2. Jerome Noble, 33, of Bedford-Stuyvesant.
3. Oras Howard, 26, of Bedford-Stuyvesant.
4. Kenneth Hyatt, 29, of Brownsville.
5. Brandon Lee, 25, of Bedford-Stuyvesant.
6. Rasheen Parnell, 27, of Bushwick.
7. Jerry Washington, 21, of Bedford-Stuyvesant.
8. Jamel Bleach, 33, of Stuyvesant Heights.
9. Dashawn Austin, 25, of Canarsie.
10. Devine Moore, 25, of Sunset Park.
11. Jayquan Lane, 28, of Bedford-Stuyvesant.
12. Dominick Scott, 28, of (not available).
13. Akeem Artis, 24, of Bedford-Stuyvesant.
14. Freedom Williams, 27, of East New York.
15. Michael Parnell, 19, of Bushwick.
16. Lamore Weems, 23, of East New York.
17. Unique Newell, 21, of East New York.
18. Jonathan Arroyo, 29, of Stuyvesant Heights.

Note: Materials displayed in the press conference can be viewed here (password: Hoolies)