About Edwin Pineda

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Friday, March 20, 2026

Brooklyn Parents Indicted for Manslaughter in Connection with
Fatal Drug Exposure of Four-Year-Old Boy

Child Was Allegedly Exposed to Fentanyl Inside East Flatbush Family Shelter

Brooklyn District Attorney Eric Gonzalez today announced that a man and woman have been arraigned on an indictment charging them with reckless manslaughter and other crimes in connection with the death of their four-year-old son Aron Sklar, who was exposed to fentanyl in the East Flatbush family shelter where he lived with the defendants.

District Attorney Gonzalez said, “This indictment alleges a heartbreaking level of neglect that resulted in a fatal overdose of a four-year-old boy. Parents have a fundamental responsibility to keep their children safe, and by allegedly allowing fentanyl and other narcotics into their residence, these defendants failed in that duty. This prosecution seeks to ensure that there is accountability for Aron Sklar’s senseless death.”

The District Attorney identified the defendant as Yitzchok Sklar, 33, and Miriam Elkayam, 27, both of whom were living in the East Flatbush shelter at the time of their son’s death. They were arraigned today before Brooklyn Supreme Court Justice Donald Leo on an indictment charging them with second-degree manslaughter, criminally negligent homicide, second-degree assault, endangering the welfare of a child and seventh-degree criminal possession of a controlled substance. Sklar was remanded without bail and Elkayam was held on a $500,000 cash bail or $1 million bond. They were ordered to return to court on May 1, 2026.

The District Attorney said that, according to the investigation, on March 4, 2025, police and emergency medical personnel responded to a 911 call at a family shelter located on Glenwood Road in East Flatbush after a four-year-old boy was found unresponsive. Emergency medical workers administered Narcan, an overdose-reversal medication, and transported him to a hospital. The victim, Aron Sklar, was later pronounced dead and subsequent toxicology reports confirmed that the cause of death was fentanyl exposure.

According to the investigation, suspected fentanyl and other narcotics were allegedly recovered from the defendants’ residence, along with drug paraphernalia. The indictment supersedes the earlier misdemeanor charges against the defendants of seventh-degree criminal possession of a controlled substance and endangering the welfare of a child and adds additional charges connected to the child’s death.

The case is being prosecuted by Assistant District Attorney Stephen Van Doran and Deputy Bureau Chief Perry Cerrato, 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 an accusatory instrument and not proof of a defendant’s guilt.

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Friday, March 20, 2026

Gunman Who Fired 10 Shots into Brooklyn Park, Killing Two Teens and Injuring a Third, Sentenced to 32 Years to Life in Prison

Accomplice Who Drove to Scene Sentenced to 20 Years to Life in Prison

Brooklyn District Attorney Eric Gonzalez today announced that two men have been sentenced to lengthy prison terms for the murders of two teenagers and the attempted murder of a third teenager who were among a group of people hanging out in a Cypress Hills park on a summer evening.

District Attorney Gonzalez said, “Today’s lengthy prison terms hold these defendants accountable for the brazen murders of Antonio Villa and Kleimer Piron and the attempted murder of a third teenager. While gun violence in Brooklyn has reached record lows, we remain focused on the small number of individuals who put our communities at risk. We will continue to focus on these important cases to ensure that our parks and streets remain safe for every Brooklyn resident.”

The District Attorney identified the defendants as Joshua Bonilla, 29, of Cypress Hills, Brooklyn and Bryant Perez, 20, of East New York, Brooklyn. Bonilla was convicted of first-degree murder, second-degree attempted murder and second-degree criminal possession of a weapon on December 16, 2025, following a jury trial. Perez pleaded guilty to second-degree murder and second-degree attempted murder on November 5, 2025. Brooklyn Supreme Court Justice Deepa Ambekar today sentenced Bonilla to 32 years to life in prison and Perez to 20 years to life in prison.

According to the evidence, on July 26, 2020, at approximately 6:30 p.m., the defendants, who were affiliated with the Warblock Street gang, drove in a stolen car to Vermont Street in Cypress Hills in search of rival gang members. The defendants circled the block before they approached George Walker Jr. Park at Vermont Street and Jamaica Avenue, where several teenagers were gathered.

As Perez drove the vehicle, Bonilla fired approximately 10 shots from a .357 caliber handgun into the park. Antonio Villa, 18, and Kleimer Piron, 16, were both shot in the head and killed. A third victim, a 17-year-old boy, was also struck by gunfire, and survived the shooting.

The District Attorney thanked Homicide Paralegal Meghan Brancato and Intelligence Analyst Victoria Genna-Schmidt for their assistance in the investigation.

The cases were prosecuted by Senior Assistant District Attorney Matthew Perry of the District Attorney’s Homicide Bureau, and Assistant District Attorney James Hamilton, of the District Attorney’s Red Zone Trial Bureau, under the supervision of Assistant District Attorney Leila Rosini, Homicide Bureau Chief.

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Wednesday, March 18, 2026

Brooklyn Man Sentenced to 23 Years to Life in Prison for
Prospect Lefferts Gardens Murder

Defendant Shook Victim’s Hand Moments Before Firing Multiple Shots

Brooklyn District Attorney Eric Gonzalez today announced that a Crown Heights man has been sentenced to 23 years to life in prison for the fatal shooting of a 21-year-old up-and-coming rapper.

District Attorney Gonzalez said, “This was a calculated killing carried out on a Brooklyn street. The defendant approached the victim, shook his hand and then fired numerous shots at point-blank range. As we continue to drive down crime in Brooklyn, acts of gun violence such as these will not be tolerated, and we will aggressively prosecute anyone who leaves families in mourning and communities fearing for their safety.”

The District Attorney identified the defendant as Caliph Glean, 33, of Crown Heights, Brooklyn. He was sentenced today by Brooklyn Supreme Court Justice Jay Weiner to 23 years to life in prison. The defendant was convicted of second-degree murder and second-degree criminal possession of a weapon on December 10, 2025, following a jury trial.

The District Attorney said that, according to the evidence, on May 10, 2020, at approximately 9:25 p.m., the defendant approached the victim, Nickalus “Blixky” Thompson, on the sidewalk on Winthrop Street in Prospect Lefferts Gardens. After shaking the victim’s hand, the defendant drew a handgun, aimed at the victim and waited for a witness to be out of view before firing five times. Two of the shots struck the victim in the lungs and heart. He was pronounced dead shortly thereafter.

The defendant took steps before and after the shooting to conceal his identity and avoid arrest, according to the evidence, but was apprehended in June 2020 in Philadelphia.

The District Attorney thanked Intelligence Analyst Victoria Genna-Schmidt of the KCDA Digital Evidence Lab, under the supervision of Assistant District Attorney Jingu Chong, Chief of the Digital Evidence Lab, as well as Paralegal John Homnick and KCDA Detective Investigators for their assistance in the investigation.

The case was prosecuted by Senior Assistant District Attorney Robert Schwartz, of the District Attorney’s Homicide Bureau, and Senior Assistant District Attorney Douglas Steinberg, of the District Attorney’s Violent Criminal Enterprises Bureau, under the supervision of Assistant District Attorney Leila Rosini, Homicide Bureau Chief.

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Tuesday, March 17, 2026

Brooklyn Man Sentenced to 25 Years to Life in Prison for Fatal Daylight Shooting Following Conviction by State’s First Anonymous Jury

Unprovoked Killing Claimed Life of Unarmed Man Riding Moped

Brooklyn District Attorney Eric Gonzalez today announced that a Bedford-Stuyvesant man has been sentenced to 25 years to life in prison for the unprovoked murder of a 42-year-old man. The verdict came from an anonymous jury after another panel was deadlocked during a first trial earlier this year, and the Court found “compelling proof” that the defendant attempted to interfere with jurors during his first trial.

District Attorney Gonzalez said, “Brandon Washington was unarmed and simply going about his day when this defendant brazenly opened fire, killing him and endangering others nearby. At a time when shootings are at historic lows citywide and gun violence continues to fall, today’s sentence sends a clear message: we will pursue accountability relentlessly for those who bring gunfire to our neighborhoods. My thoughts remain with the victim’s family and loved ones.”

The District Attorney identified the defendant as Saalik Jackson, 47, of Bedford-Stuyvesant, Brooklyn. He was sentenced today by Brooklyn Supreme Court Justice Elizabeth Warin to 25 years to life in prison. The defendant was convicted of second-degree murder and second-degree criminal possession of a weapon on November 14, 2025, following a jury trial.

The District Attorney said that, according to the investigation, on May 14, 2021, at approximately 6 p.m., the defendant brandished a gun on a public street near Marcus Garvey Boulevard and Hancock Street in Bedford-Stuyvesant and, unprovoked, fired at least five shots toward Brandon Washington, 42, who was riding his moped around the neighborhood while searching for a barbershop to get a haircut before attending a memorial service for his grandfather. The victim was struck numerous times about the torso, hip and buttocks.

He was later pronounced dead at Interfaith Medical Center, having died from the gunshot to his torso. The defendant fled the scene following the shooting but was arrested on February 3, 2022.

The first trial was conducted this spring and, after less than two hours of deliberations, the jury indicated to the Court that they were deadlocked 11-1. After more deliberations, the jury did not reach a verdict and a mistrial was declared. Following an investigation by the DA’s Office, prosecutors moved for a protective order limiting disclosure of juror-identifying information in the new trial to the lawyers in the case, pursuant to a new law intended to protect the safety and integrity of juries. Granting the order, the Court found that, while jailed on Rikers Island, the defendant had phone conversations with his girlfriend, discussing paying someone $1,000 to “work on” the case and providing him with the jurors’ names. The second jury returned a guilty verdict in just over an hour and a half.

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

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Monday, March 16, 2026

Brooklyn Man Arrested for Pandemic-Related Loan Fraud

Defendant Allegedly Stole Approximately $386,000 in COVID Relief Funds,
Allegedly Spent Money for Personal Use, Including Significant Sums at Casinos

Brooklyn District Attorney Eric Gonzalez, together with New York State Inspector General Lucy Lang, today announced that a Brooklyn man has been arraigned on a criminal complaint for allegedly stealing approximately $386,187 in COVID-19 relief funds.

District Attorney Gonzalez said, “This defendant allegedly defrauded a critical pandemic relief program and used the funds to cover his gambling expenses at casinos. Stealing public funds intended to help small businesses recover is a serious allegation and we intend to hold him accountable for his actions.”

NYS Inspector General Lang said, “Exploitation of relief programs strains critical resources and undermines public trust at a time when New Yorkers need both the most. As alleged, the defendant stole funds meant to help small businesses recover from the pandemic for personal gain. Thank you to District Attorney Gonzalez and his office for their collaboration. Together, our agencies will continue working to root out fraud and protect the resources New Yorkers depend on.”

The District Attorney identified the defendant as Jermaine Hydol, 43, of Fort Greene. He is charged in a felony complaint with three counts of second-degree grand larceny and one count of first-degree scheme to defraud. The defendant was arraigned today before Brooklyn Criminal Court Judge Janice Robinson. He was released without bail and ordered to return to court on June 29, 2026.

The District Attorney said that, according to the evidence, the defendant allegedly obtained pandemic relief funds on behalf of three businesses on seven separate occasions between April 1, 2020 and March 30, 2022, through the following state and federal programs: the Empire State Development (ESD), the Economic Injury Disaster Loan program (EIDL) and the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP), for a total theft of $386,187.

These defrauded programs were created to help businesses during the COVID-19 pandemic and required recipients to use the funds for legitimate business expenses. Instead, the defendant allegedly diverted the money for personal use, including significant gambling at casinos such as Mohegan Sun Casino & Resort in Connecticut and Resorts World Casino in Queens.

The case was investigated by The New York State Inspector General’s Office, including Investigative Counsel Ray Gdula, Senior Investigator Ilene Gates, and Senior Investigative Auditor Angelus Okeke, under the supervision of Downstate Chief of Investigations Ben Defibaugh, Downstate Chief of Audit Alla Korsunskiy, and New York City Deputy Inspector General Ken Michaels

The case is being prosecuted by Senior Assistant District Attorney Pamela Lowe, of the District Attorney’s Public Integrity Bureau, and Assistant District Attorney Jordan Krasner, of the District Attorney’s Frauds Bureau, under the supervision of Adam Libove, Chief of the Public Integrity Bureau, and Assistant District Attorney Laura Neubauer, Chief of the Organized Crime and Racketeering Bureau, and the overall supervision of Assistant District Attorney Michel Spanakos, Deputy Chief of the Investigations Division, and Assistant District Attorney Patricia McNeill, Chief of the Investigations Division.

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A criminal complaint is an accusatory instrument and not proof of a defendant’s guilt.

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Monday, March 16, 2026

Brooklyn District Attorney Moves to Vacate Conviction and Free Man Serving Time for Robbery
After Two Others Were Identified and Confessed

Became Suspect After Using Money Order Stolen from Elderly Victim;
Consistently Claimed and Testified That He Wasn’t Involved in Robbery

Brooklyn District Attorney Eric Gonzalez today announced that following a thorough reinvestigation by his Conviction Review Unit (CRU), he will move to vacate the conviction of Kenneth Windley, who served 19 years in prison after being sentenced to 20 years to life. He was convicted as one of two men who robbed an elderly man of money orders after he used one of the money orders to buy a stove and was identified by the victim. Windley contended all along that he met two men he knew from the neighborhood who sold him the money order to make that purchase and that was his entire involvement. He later tracked down the two alleged suspects, who were imprisoned for committing a pattern of similar robberies, and they attested he wasn’t involved. The CRU confirmed their identities and found their account plausible. The complete CRU report is available here.

District Attorney Gonzalez said, “After a complicated and thorough reinvestigation, our CRU was able to confirm evidence that was developed after trial, which showed that Mr. Windley’s repeated claims that he did not commit this robbery were supported by the facts. It has taken many years, but today we are able to validate his account, release him from prison and exonerate his name. We have the most active conviction integrity unit in the country, and we intend to continue leading the way by overturning any miscarriage of justice we discover in Brooklyn.”

Windley will be brought from prison and appear in court today at 2:15 p.m. before Brooklyn Supreme Court Justice Matthew D’Emic at 320 Jay Street, 15th Floor.

The District Attorney said that on the morning of April 1, 2005, 70-year-old Gerald Ross returned to his Crown Heights home after going to the bank and post office. Two men followed him into his building where they robbed him in the elevator of cash and two money orders (for $542.77 and $9.48) that were blank and unsigned. Shortly thereafter, Windley used the larger money order to buy a stove at Big Daddy appliance store in Brownsville. He provided his driver’s license, and had the stove delivered to his Queens address. The store manager testified that the defendant was with two men. The victim identified him as one of the robbers.

Over a month after the incident, the victim was informed that one check was cashed in an electronics store. (The money orders were virtually untraceable, but Ross used the same post office to get them every month and the teller, who knew him, agreed to search for the tracking numbers.)

Windley testified before trial and at his trial. He recounted that on the day of the robbery he left his girlfriend’s apartment and went to buy his mother a stove. At a parking lot, he met two men he’s seen in the neighborhood who told him they would cover the tax for the $379 stove if he would give them his cash and use their money order instead, which he did.

A jury convicted Windley of second-degree robbery in March 2007. Because of his prior felony convictions, he was adjudicated as a persistent felony offender, increasing the mandatory time of incarceration. He was sentenced to 20 years to life in prison. He subsequently filed various appeals that were all denied.

The CRU was asked by Windley’s lawyer to investigate his claim of innocence. Specifically, that the two men who sold him the money order were the two individuals his client had tracked down and that they were the ones who robbed the victim. He provided statements by both men attesting to these facts.

The CRU interviewed nearly everyone involved in the case, including the two suspects. It discovered that both had extensive criminal histories, were convicted of committing seven robberies together from April 4, 2005 (three days after Ross’s robbery) through February 1, 2026, and sentenced to prison for those and other crimes. The robbery pattern took place in the same neighborhood, using the same modus operandi of following elderly men from banks to their homes, then robbing them. Both men confirmed Windley’s version of events in interviews. Their accounts were corroborated through recorded prison phone calls and in emails that the CRU reviewed.

If the jury had known about the other, similar robbery pattern for which two other men were charged, there is a reasonable probability the jury would have credited Windley’s explanation and rejected the one-witness identification case before it.

The District Attorney accordingly recommends that his conviction be vacated, and, because the victim has died and the case can’t be retried, that the indictment be dismissed.

To date, the work of the Conviction Review Unit has resulted in 42 convictions being vacated since 2014. Currently, CRU has approximately 40 open investigations.

This case was investigated by Julio Cuevas, Special Counsel to CRU, with assistance from Lori Glachman, Editor in Chief of CRU.

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Tuesday, March 10, 2026

Cypress Hills Driver Sentenced to Three to Six Years in Prison
For Hit-and-Run That Killed Cyclist

Defendant Was Speeding through Intersection and Left Without Stopping

Brooklyn District Attorney Eric Gonzalez today announced that a Brooklyn man has been sentenced to three to six years in prison for speeding through an intersection, ultimately striking a cyclist and then fleeing the scene. The cyclist, Jose Ramos, 56, was killed in the crash.

District Attorney Gonzalez said, “This defendant showed a callous disregard for public safety by choosing to speed and run a red light, taking the life of a cyclist. Today’s sentence holds him accountable for his reckless actions and reflects our commitment to keeping Brooklyn’s streets safe for all.”

The District Attorney identified the defendant as Julio Sandoval, 34, of Cypress Hills, Brooklyn. He was sentenced today by Brooklyn Supreme Court Justice Dena Douglas to an indeterminate term of three to six years in prison. The defendant pleaded guilty to one count of second-degree manslaughter on February 10, 2026.

The District Attorney said that, according to the evidence, on October 15, 2021, at approximately 10:10 p.m., the defendant was driving at a speed of about 47 miles per hour in a 25 mile per hour zone on Atlantic Avenue in Cypress Hills. The defendant then ran a red light at the intersection of Atlantic Avenue and Essex Street and struck the victim, who was riding a bicycle in a marked cross walk with his wife. The defendant left the scene without stopping or reporting the incident.

Furthermore, according to the evidence, bystanders called 911 and police responded to the scene. The victim was transported to Interfaith Medical Center, where the victim was pronounced dead due to blunt force trauma of the head, neck, and torso.

The defendant was arrested on January 9, 2023, following an investigation.

The case was prosecuted by Senior Assistant District Attorney Jennifer DaRin, of the District Attorney’s Red Zone Trial Bureau, under the supervision of Assistant District Attorney Karla Watson, Bureau Chief.

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Friday, February 13, 2026

East New York Man Sentenced to up to Nine Years in Prison
For Fatal Downtown Brooklyn Crash

Allegedly Drove up to 62 MPH, Ran Three Red Lights Before Crashing
Into Vehicle, Killing Woman and Injuring Three Passengers

Brooklyn District Attorney Eric Gonzalez today announced that an East New York man has been sentenced to up to nine years in prison for causing a fatal crash in Downtown Brooklyn after driving over 60 miles per hour, running three red lights and slamming into another vehicle, killing a 21-year-old woman and injuring three others.

District Attorney Gonzalez said, “This defendant made a series of reckless and deliberate decisions that had deadly consequences. By driving at high speeds and running red lights, he turned a Brooklyn intersection into a death trap. A young mother lost her life, shattering her family, and today’s sentence reflects the gravity of the harm he caused. My office will continue to hold accountable anyone who recklessly commits vehicular violence on our streets.”

The District Attorney identified the defendant as Kashawn Croswell, 28, of East New York, Brooklyn. He was sentenced today by Brooklyn Supreme Court Justice Jane Tully to an indeterminate term of three to nine years in prison. He was convicted on January 22, 2026, of second-degree manslaughter, two counts of second-degree assault, reckless driving, excessive speed and disobeying traffic control signal indications following a jury trial.

The District Attorney said that, according to the investigation, on August 18, 2023, at approximately 3:21 a.m., the defendant was driving southbound on Court Street at a speed of 60 miles per hour with his 24-year-old girlfriend in the passenger seat. Video surveillance showed the defendant running three consecutive steady red lights — at Schermerhorn Street, State Street and Atlantic Avenue.

After running the third light at Court Street and Atlantic Avenue at a speed of 62 miles per hour, the defendant T-boned a westbound vehicle that had the right of way, striking the front passenger side with tremendous force. The front-seat passenger in the struck vehicle, 21-year-old Shanti Joyner, suffered multiple blunt impact injuries and was pronounced dead at the scene. Joyner’s 32-year-old sister, who was driving the struck vehicle, suffered an ankle fracture and a 29-year-old rear passenger suffered a wrist fracture.

Following the crash, the defendant exited his vehicle and removed his girlfriend from the passenger side of the car, which eventually caught fire. He then attempted to flee the scene, dragging his girlfriend for a block and a half asking multiple cars if they were Uber drivers. He then asked a resident to allow the defendant to enter their home but was denied entry. Bystanders called 911, and police later located the defendant outside the building. His girlfriend, who suffered a spinal fracture in the crash, was then transported to an area hospital.

The District Attorney thanked Intelligence Analyst, Zoë Feygin of the KCDA Digital Evidence Lab under the supervision of Assistant District Attorney Jingu Chong, Chief of the Digital Evidence Lab, for assistance in the investigation.

The case was prosecuted by Senior Assistant District Attorney Han Zhang and Assistant District Attorney Adriana Morquecho, of the District Attorney’s Blue Zone Trial Bureau, under the supervision of Assistant District Attorney Jennifer Nocella, Street Safety Bureau Chief, and Assistant District Attorney Kin Ng, Blue Zone Bureau Chief.

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Wednesday, February 11, 2026

Brooklyn Daycare Teacher Arraigned on Indictment
Charging Him with Sexually Abusing Young Girls

Was Employed at a Bushwick Childcare Center;
Alleged Abuse Took Place at Center and Brooklyn Bridge Park

Brooklyn District Attorney Eric Gonzalez today announced that a Brooklyn man who worked as a teacher at a Bushwick childcare center has been arraigned on an indictment in which he is charged with repeatedly sexually abusing four young girls when they were between the ages of five and nine years old.

District Attorney Gonzalez said, “The conduct alleged in this case shocks the conscious. Innocent children were entrusted to a teacher’s care to safely learn and grow, but instead this defendant allegedly shuttered that trust in the worst way. We can never tolerate the disturbing exploitation and abuse of children alleged in this case and will continue to aggressively prosecute this and any other case in which someone abuses their position of authority to harm a child.”

The District Attorney identified the defendant as Devonte Brown, 30, of Bedford-Stuyvesant, Brooklyn. He was arraigned today before Brooklyn Supreme Court Justice Donald Leo on an indictment in which he is charged with second-degree course of sexual conduct against a child, seven counts of first-degree sexual abuse, seven counts of second-degree sexual abuse, seven counts of forcible touching and four counts of endangering the welfare of a child. He was ordered held on $150,000 cash bail, $300,000 insurance bond or $500,000 partially secured bond, and to return to court on March 27, 2026.

The District Attorney said that, according to the investigation, between April 1, 2024 and August 22, 2025, on multiple occasions, the defendant allegedly subjected four young girls — whose ages at the time were 5, 5, 6 and 9 — to sexual abuse while they were students at the Bushwick childcare center and under his supervision. It is alleged that the criminal conduct included touching intimate body parts with both hands over and under the victims’ clothing while inside the childcare center. On one occasion in July 2025, the defendant allegedly sexually abused one of the children while at Brooklyn Bridge Park, Pier 6.

Furthermore, according to the investigation, the defendant is alleged to have intimidated at least one of the children into silence by threatening her that their favorite teacher would be fired if they told an adult. In August and September 2025, the children disclosed the abuse to their parents, who contacted law enforcement.

The case is being prosecuted by Assistant District Attorney Roxana Moussavian 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

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Wednesday, February 11, 2026

Bushwick Man Sentenced for Sex Trafficking Teenage Girls

Recruited Two 15-year-olds and a 17-year-old to Engage in Sexual Conduct for Money;
Arrested Following Undercover Sting

Brooklyn District Attorney Eric Gonzalez today announced that a Bushwick man has been sentenced to eight years in prison after pleading guilty to sex trafficking of a child for recruiting multiple victims, including three teenage girls, ages 15 to 17, to engage in sexual conduct for money.

District Attorney Gonzalez said, “The exploitation of our most vulnerable populations for profit is among the most disturbing crimes we prosecute, and the harm inflicted on survivors of trafficking and sexual violence is profound and lasting. My office is committed to protecting survivors and will continue to aggressively pursue anyone who exploits others for money and remove them from our streets.”

The District Attorney identified the defendant as Terrence Rogers, a.k.a., Aura, 35, of Bushwick, Brooklyn. He was sentenced today to eight years in prison and five years of post-release supervision by Brooklyn Supreme Court Justice Danny Chun. He pleaded guilty to sex trafficking of a child on December 3, 2025. The defendant must register as a sex offender upon his release from prison.

The District Attorney said that, according to the investigation, between March 9, 2024, and April 12, 2024, Rogers recruited a 15-year-old girl to engage in sexual conduct for money on multiple occasions from his apartment at Halsey Street in Bushwick. The victim was introduced to the defendant by a classmate, also 15, who was engaging in sexual conduct for money for the defendant at the time. Rogers posted the 15-year-old’s photo on a website advertising sexual services. He also gave her a cellphone and instructed her on how to communicate with customers and how much to charge them.

Furthermore, according to the investigation, Rogers sexually assaulted the 15-year-old victim on April 12, 2024. More than a month later, the defendant messaged her on Snapchat and threatened to a post a nude photo of her online unless she continued to engage in sexual conduct for money. After the victim returned to the defendant’s apartment, he posted the nude photo on a website advertising sexual services before forcibly touching her.

On June 13, 2024, the victim reported the assault to a school social worker who contacted police. The District Attorney’s Human Trafficking Unit and the New York City Police Department then launched an undercover investigation.

On July 3, 2024, an undercover officer responded to a live online advertisement posting for prostitution in Brooklyn with images of the underage victims. The undercover officer called the phone number provided in the advertisement and was directed to the Halsey Street location. Inside the defendant’s apartment, the undercover officer made an agreement to have sex with a 22-year-old woman for $100. A field team then raided the apartment. As police were entering, Rogers was caught leaving the bathroom with a 17-year-old victim who was partially undressed. He was arrested at the location.

The case was investigated by New York City Police Detective Kevin Deleon and Detective Latasha Carter from the NYPD’s Human Trafficking Squad, under the supervision of Sergeant Kevin Kavanagh, Lieutenant Christopher Zizza, Lieutenant Amy Morin, and the overall supervision of Inspector Gary Marcus.

The District Attorney thanked Office Manager Aurora Martinez from the District Attorney’s Office Human Trafficking Unit and Digital Forensic Analyst Richard Rojas from the District Attorney’s Digital Evidence Lab for his assistance in the case.

The case was prosecuted by Assistant District Attorney Mary E. Monahan, Deputy Chief 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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