About Edwin Pineda

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Tuesday, February 10, 2026

Police Officer Indicted for Assault, Menacing and Official Misconduct
Stemming from Two On-Duty Incidents Involving Civilians

 Allegedly Pepper Sprayed Individual in Sunset Park and Slapped Handcuffed Prisoner

Brooklyn District Attorney Eric Gonzalez today announced that a New York City Police Officer has been arraigned on an indictment in which he is charged with assault, menacing and official misconduct for two separate on-duty incidents.

District Attorney Gonzalez said, “Instead of using the de-escalation techniques NYPD officers are trained to employ, this defendant allegedly assaulted a person in custody and threatened a civilian who complained. Trust between law enforcement and the public is essential to sustaining the hard-won gains that have driven homicide and gun violence in Brooklyn to record lows, and we will not allow an officer’s alleged misconduct to put our progress at risk. No one is above the law, and we will seek to hold him accountable through this prosecution.”

The District Attorney identified the defendant as Quran McPhatter, 42, of the 72nd Precinct in Sunset Park, Brooklyn. He was arraigned today before Brooklyn Supreme Court Justice Phyllis Chu on a 13-count indictment in which he is charged with two counts of third-degree assault, four counts of official misconduct, two counts of third-degree attempted assault, one count of third-degree attempted coercion, and four counts of third-degree menacing. He was released without bail and ordered to return to court on March 25, 2026.

The District Attorney said that, according to the investigation, on August 3, 2025, at approximately 6:45 p.m., in Sunset Park, located on 41st Street between Fifth and Seventh Avenues, a civilian saw an NYPD patrol car driving unsafely through a crowded area in the park. The patrol car was being driven by the defendant and the defendant’s partner was in the passenger seat. The civilian yelled at the defendant to slow down, and the defendant got out of the car and told the civilian to mind his own business.

Furthermore, according to the investigation, the civilian then demanded the defendant’s badge number and when he was near the car door the defendant allegedly opened the door, almost striking the civilian, then sprayed pepper spray on the ground and left. At approximately 7:34 p.m., the civilian went to the 72nd Precinct to report the defendant and identified him in the lobby in street clothes and again asked for his badge number. The defendant then allegedly responded by saying “I am not giving you anything,” and then pushed his chest up against the civilian’s chest. The two were separated by a sergeant and other officers. The defendant allegedly threatened to knock out the civilian and told him to wait outside for the defendant.

In a separate incident, on October 24, 2025, at approximately 12:34 p.m., in the vicinity of 140 58th Street, the defendant and his partner responded to a 60-year-old individual allegedly trespassing and told him to leave the area. A half-hour later they responded again, and the defendant arrested the individual, handcuffed him, allegedly berated him and threw him against the patrol car twice. The individual then was seated in the back seat and antagonizing the defendant, who was driving. During the car ride, the defendant allegedly reached into the backseat and grabbed the individual’s glasses off his face.

When they arrived at the 72nd Precinct, the defendant brought the individual in front of the desk sergeant and allegedly called the individual “a big dummy” and when the individual responded, the defendant allegedly slapped him in the face with an open hand. He was immediately taken off the case by the sergeant. The arrested individual was taken to Lutheran Hospital where he was treated and released.

The case is being prosecuted by Senior Assistant District Attorney Christopher Carter, of the District Attorney’s Law Enforcement Accountability Bureau, under the supervision of Assistant District Attorney Mark Pagliuco, Deputy Bureau Chief, and Assistant District Attorney Christopher Eribo, Bureau Chief.

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

 

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Tuesday, February 10, 2026

Fort Greene Man Sentenced to 25 Years to Life in Prison for Fatal Shooting
Outside Baby Shower at Brooklyn Church

Accidental Bump Inside Church Annex Escalated into Fatal Dispute

Brooklyn District Attorney Eric Gonzalez today announced that a Fort Greene, Brooklyn man has been sentenced to 25 years to life in prison for the fatal shooting of 26-year-old Courtney Tingle outside a baby shower held at a Prospect Heights church.

District Attorney Gonzalez said, “Courtney Tingle was a young father whose life was taken outside a church celebration meant to welcome new life. His family has endured an immeasurable loss, and today’s sentence holds the defendant accountable for that violence. While Brooklyn has seen significant reductions in gun violence since this tragic shooting, my office will continue to prosecute anyone who makes the irreparable decision to take a life.”

The District Attorney identified the defendant as Daquan Carter, 34, of Fort Greene, Brooklyn. He was sentenced today by Brooklyn Supreme Court Justice Eugene Guarino 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 7, 2025, following a jury trial.

The District Attorney said that, according to the evidence, on March 22, 2019, at approximately 10 p.m., the victim was attending a baby shower at a church annex in Prospect Heights, Brooklyn with his girlfriend. During the event, the victim accidentally bumped into a woman, which led to a verbal confrontation involving the defendant and his cousins. The defendant and three of his cousins then lured the victim outside the venue and onto the street.

Once outside, the victim was physically assaulted by two of Carter’s cousins while the defendant waited nearby. The defendant then produced an illegal, loaded firearm and shot the victim four times, striking him as he lay defenseless up against a parked car. The shooting occurred outside a party attended by hundreds of people, including children.

The victim was taken by EMS to an area hospital where he was later pronounced dead. Carter fled the scene and, later, the state. When apprehended in November 2019, the defendant provided false statements to law enforcement that were contradicted by eyewitness testimony, surveillance video and other evidence presented at trial.

The District Attorney thanked Paralegal John Homnick, of the District Attorney’s Homicide Bureau, and Digital Forensic Analyst Richard Rojas, of the Digital Evidence Lab, for their assistance on this case.

The case was prosecuted by Senior Assistant District Attorney Christopher Mirabella and Assistant District Attorney Daphney Gachette, Deputy Chief 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

Friday, February 6, 2026

East New York Woman Sentenced to 15 Years in Prison for
Stabbing Roommate and Pistol Whipping her Daughter

Defendant Also Fired Three Shots in Apartment and Stabbed Victim’s Dog

Brooklyn District Attorney Eric Gonzalez today announced that a Brooklyn woman has been sentenced to 15 years in prison following her guilty plea to attempted murder and criminal use of a firearm for stabbing her roommate in the neck and pistol whipping the victim’s daughter across her forehead.

District Attorney Gonzalez said, “Brooklyn is safer with this defendant behind bars. Her brazen and unprovoked violence could have easily cost an innocent life, and today’s sentence ensures she can no longer endanger our community. I am grateful to our prosecutors and the NYPD for their outstanding work on this case.”

The District Attorney identified the defendant as Iescha Gowdy, 34, of East New York, Brooklyn. She was sentenced today by Brooklyn Supreme Court Justice Rhonda Tomlinson to 15 years in prison and five years of post-release supervision. The defendant pleaded guilty to two counts of second-degree attempted murder and one count of first-degree criminal use of a firearm on January 6, 2026.

The District Attorney said that, according to the evidence, on January 1, 2024, at approximately 6:40 a.m., at 1004 Hegeman Avenue, a 57-year-old woman and her 39-year-old daughter and a friend were in the living room of the 57-year-old’s apartment where she lived with her roommate of five months, the defendant. The defendant came out of her bedroom into the living room holding a gun and threatened to shoot everyone in the apartment. She then fired three shots, striking no one.

The 57-year-old’s daughter ran from the apartment down a stairwell towards the second-floor landing and was followed by the defendant, according to the evidence, who pistol-whipped her on the forehead. The two began fighting, and the 57-year-old came down the stairs and was able to get the gun out of the defendant’s hand. The defendant went back up to the apartment and the victims remained on the landing and were assisted by a neighbor.

Approximately 10 minutes later, according to the evidence, the defendant returned holding a knife in each hand, she then lunged at the 57-year-old and stabbed her once in the neck. The defendant continued down the stairs and the victim followed her and saw the defendant pick up the victim’s dog (who had gotten out through the open apartment door). The defendant stabbed the dog once in the abdomen and left the building. Both the 57-year-old and the dog underwent treatment for their stab wounds.

The defendant was arrested the next day following an investigation.

The case was prosecuted by Senior Assistant District Attorney Amelia Digirolamo, 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 6, 2026

Man Sentenced to 15 Years to Life in Prison for Murder of
His Mother in Her Bay Ridge Apartment

Defendant Fatally Stabbed Victim 18 Times, Fled Scene Covered in Her Blood

Brooklyn District Attorney Eric Gonzalez today announced that a Brooklyn man has been sentenced to 15 years to life in prison after pleading guilty to repeatedly stabbing and murdering his mother inside her Bay Ridge apartment.

District Attorney Gonzalez said, “Inna Deshkovich lost her life at the hands of her own son, leaving her family and loved ones with an unimaginable loss. Domestic violence, including violence against parents and family members, is a profound public safety issue, and this sentence reflects the seriousness of that harm. My office will continue to aggressively prosecute anyone who commits acts of violence in our communities.”

The District Attorney identified the defendant as Vladislav Deshkovich, 32, of Bay Ridge, Brooklyn. He was sentenced today by Brooklyn Supreme Court Justice Dineen Riviezzo to the Court’s offer of 15 years to life in prison after pleading guilty to second-degree murder on January 9, 2026.

The District Attorney said that, according to the evidence, on December 1, 2023, at approximately 7:40 p.m., the defendant went to his mother’s apartment on 93rd Street in Bay Ridge, Brooklyn. An argument ensued and was overheard by a neighbor, who knocked on the apartment door. The defendant answered the door and stated that everything was fine. Shortly after, the neighbor observed the defendant fleeing the apartment. When the neighbor returned, she found the victim, 54-year-old Inna Deshkovich, lying in a pool of blood, unresponsive and suffering from numerous stab wounds.

Medics pronounced the victim dead at the scene, and police apprehended the defendant later that night. The defendant was found with blood on his clothing, which was later confirmed through DNA analysis to belong to his mother. An autopsy revealed that the victim suffered 18 stab wounds, including at least three to her face.

The case was prosecuted by Senior Assistant District Attorney Matthew Perry 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

Friday, January 23, 2026

Brooklyn Man Arraigned on Attempted Murder and Other Charges for Allegedly Striking Woman Intentionally with His Car

The Victim was Captured on Surveillance Video Being Struck as She Stepped into Crosswalk
In East New York Area Known as the Penn Track

Brooklyn District Attorney Eric Gonzalez today announced that a Brooklyn man has been arraigned on an indictment in which he is charged with attempted murder, assault and other charges in connection with striking a woman in the vicinity of Wortman Avenue and Alabama Avenue, known as the “Penn Track,” a stretch of roadway that is frequently used by people engaging in sexual conduct for money.

District Attorney Gonzalez said, “Targeting a vulnerable individual in a crosswalk is a cowardly act of extreme depravity that will not be tolerated in Brooklyn. We allege that the victim in this case was subjected to a terrifying, intentional assault that could have cost her life. Having reached historic milestones in public safety last year, we will not permit this kind of brazen violence to threaten the security of our streets. My office remains steadfast in our commitment to protect every member of our community, and we will vigorously seek accountability for this despicable alleged crime.”

The District Attorney identified the defendant as Kevin Morgan, 31, of Brooklyn. He was arraigned yesterday before Brooklyn Supreme Court Justice John Hecht on an indictment in which he is charged with second-degree attempted murder, second-degree assault, first-degree attempted assault, and first-degree reckless endangerment. The defendant is being held on bail of $50,000 cash or $250,000 bond and ordered to return to court on March 4, 2026.

The District Attorney said that the investigation began when the victim, a 25-year-old woman, who was engaging in sexual conduct for money at the time, reported to police that she had been assaulted by several people in the vicinity of Wortman Avenue and Alabama Avenue, on January 1, 2024.

While looking into that assault, investigators recovered surveillance footage of a red Jeep, registered to the defendant, stopped at the intersection Wortman Avenue and Alabama Avenue, that allegedly showed the red Jeep accelerate directly into the victim while she was standing in crosswalk, in the morning hours of January 1, 2024.

In addition, another video taken from inside the Jeep that captured the victim being struck was recently found on an iPad that was seized during a traffic stop of the Jeep, according to the investigation. The defendant was driving the Jeep when he was stopped for an alleged traffic infraction.

The video was allegedly taken by a female passenger from the backseat of the Jeep and allegedly captures the defendant saying “Oh, there she go — she in the middle of the thing.” The unidentified female responded: “Oh, perfect opportunity.” The video then shows the Jeep allegedly driving directly into the victim.

Finally, it is alleged, the defendant sent the video to multiple individuals at one point saying, “I don’t regret it. This was a message to everybody. Not playing around this year.”

The victim was taken to Brookdale Hospital where she was treated for injuries consistent with being assaulted and being struck by a motor vehicle, though she allegedly has no independent memory of being struck by the Jeep. No one has been arrested for the January 1, 2024, alleged assault of the victim.

The investigation was led by New York City Police Department Detective Mark Shackel, of the FBI-NYPD Child Exploitation and Human Trafficking Task Force, under the supervision of Lieutenant Amy Morin, and under the overall supervision of Inspector Gary Marcus.

The District Attorney thanked Special Agent Margaret Murphy from the Federal Bureau of Investigation New York Field Office and Detective Dikensy Moussignac from the New York City Police Department’s Technical Assistance Response Unit for their assistance in this investigation.

The case is being prosecuted by Senior Assistant District Attorney Audrey Chao, under the supervision of Assistant District Attorney David Weiss, Chief of the District Attorney’s Human Trafficking Unit, and the overall supervision of Assistant District Attorney Miss Gregory, Chief of the Special Victims Bureau.

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

 

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Tuesday, January 6, 2026

Defendant Sentenced to 23 Years to Life in Prison for
Fatal Shooting of Former Friend in Brownsville

Victim Shot Multiple Times Following Dispute

Brooklyn District Attorney Eric Gonzalez today announced that a man has been sentenced to 23 years to life in prison for the shooting death of a Brooklyn man following a dispute in Brownsville, Brooklyn.

District Attorney Gonzalez said, “Today’s sentence provides accountability for this defendant for escalating an argument into a shooting and taking a man’s life. Gun violence is at record lows in Brooklyn and keeping defendants such as this individual off of our streets makes communities safer. I am committed to delivering justice for victims and continuing to keep our borough safer than ever.”

The District Attorney identified the defendant as Harvey French, 54, of Brownsville, Brooklyn. He was sentenced today by Brooklyn Supreme Court Justice Phyllis Chu to 23 years to life in prison. The defendant was convicted of second-degree murder and second-degree criminal possession of a weapon on October 17, 2025, following a jury trial.

The District Attorney said that, according to the evidence, at approximately 6:30 p.m., on April 18, 2022, at the Brownsville Houses, in the vicinity of Blake Avenue and Rockaway Avenue in Brownsville the defendant and the victim, who knew each other, were engaged in a verbal dispute, which was escalated by the defendant when he pulled out a gun and opened fire approximately five to seven times.

The victim was struck in the chest, the side and the legs, and when he tried to get away, according to the evidence, the defendant continued firing and struck him in the back before fleeing the scene.

The victim was rushed to Brookdale University Hospital, where he was pronounced dead.

Following an investigation, the defendant was arrested on October 3, 2022 in Brooklyn.

The District Attorney thanked Homicide Paralegal John Homnick, Intelligence Analyst Selena Collado and the KCDA Detective Investigators for their assistance on this case.

The case was prosecuted by Senior Assistant District Attorney Robert Schwartz, of the District Attorney’s Homicide Bureau, and Senior Assistant District Attorney Stacie Ulberg, of the District Attorney’s Orange Zone Trial Bureau, under the supervision of Assistant District Attorney Leila Rosini, Homicide Bureau Chief.

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Wednesday, December 24, 2025

Queens Man Indicted for Brutal Kidnapping, Assault and
Sexually Motivated Attack on 25-Year-Old Woman in East New York

Defendant Allegedly Beat, Strangled and Sexually Assaulted
Woman Inside His Van Along the Penn Track

Brooklyn District Attorney Eric Gonzalez today announced that a Queens man has been arraigned on an indictment for allegedly kidnapping, assaulting and sexually abusing a 25-year-old woman in an East New York area commonly known as the “Penn Track,” a stretch of roadway along Pennsylvania Avenue near Malta Street and Linden Boulevard that is frequently used by people engaged in sexual conduct for money.

District Attorney Gonzalez said, “This was an exceptionally violent and degrading attack, and the allegations reflect a level of cruelty that is deeply disturbing. My office stands firmly with the victim, and we are committed to protecting people who are vulnerable to exploitation. We will use every tool available to hold the defendant accountable and to pursue any individual who uses such horrific violence and brutality to prey on at-risk individuals in Brooklyn.”

The District Attorney identified the defendant as Rasi Vendryes, 48, of Queens. He is charged in a multi-count indictment with second-degree kidnapping, first-degree sexual abuse, second-degree strangulation as a sexually motivated felony, second-degree robbery as a sexually motivated felony and related counts. He was arraigned today before Brooklyn Supreme Court Justice Adam Perlmutter. Bail was set at $75,000 cash or $150,000 bond. The defendant was ordered to return to court on January 28, 2026.

The District Attorney said that, according to the investigation, on December 31, 2023, at approximately 3 a.m., the victim, who was engaged in acts of sexual conduct for money, approached the defendant’s grey Sprinter-style van near Malta Avenue after the two agreed to meet. After the victim entered the vehicle, the defendant allegedly drove her to a more secluded area and brought her to the back of the van. Once there, the victim observed bleach and metal chains.

The defendant then allegedly struck the victim in the head, which disoriented her and caused her to fall to the floor of the van. The defendant allegedly sat on her stomach, placed his hands around her neck and punched her repeatedly, while threatening to kill her if she attempted to escape. During the attack, the defendant allegedly sexually assaulted her while continuing to strangle her. The victim struggled to breathe, her vision blurred and she began to lose feeling in her extremities.

The victim was able to get to the front of the van, where she observed a large knife on the dashboard as the defendant allegedly locked the doors. She rolled down the passenger side window, and when she leaned out the window to scream for help, the defendant allegedly pushed her out of the vehicle, leaving her partially unclothed in the street. He then allegedly drove off with her purse, jacket and phone.

The victim later sought medical treatment and was found to have injuries consistent with the assault, including pain and visible trauma to her head and body. Her cell phone was later located using the Find My app in a Queens park near the defendant’s home.

The victim reported the attack in August 2024, when she encountered an NYPD Human Trafficking Team detective conducting outreach on the Penn Track. In September 2024, the victim allegedly again saw the defendant driving in the area. She photographed his license plate and later identified him in a photo array, which led to his arrest.

If you believe you have been a victim of this defendant, please call the District Attorney’s Human Trafficking hotline at 718-250-2770. See photos of the defendant and his van below.

The case investigation was led by New York City Police Department Detective Denis Regimbal of the FBI-NYPD Child Exploitation and Human Trafficking Task Force, under the supervision of Lieutenant Amy Morin, and under the overall supervision of Inspector Gary Marcus.

The District Attorney thanked Human Trafficking Unit Social Worker Raquel Alger, Office Manager Aurora Martinez and Paralegal Aaliyah Antrobus, as well as Senior Assistant District Attorney Grace Hogan and Office Manager Brenda Campbell of the Law Enforcement Assistance Unit, for their assistance with the investigation.

The case is being prosecuted by Assistant District Attorney Mary Monahan, Deputy Chief of the District Attorney’s Human Trafficking Unit, under the supervision of Assistant District Attorney David Weiss, Unit Chief, and the overall supervision of Assistant District Attorney Miss Gregory, Chief of the Special Victims Bureau.

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

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Friday, December 19, 2025

Brooklyn Man Indicted for Sex Trafficking of Teenage Girl

Defendant Allegedly Lured Victim to his Coney Island Apartment,
Forced her to Engage in Sexual Conduct for Money, Raped and Assaulted Her

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

District Attorney Gonzalez said, “As alleged, this defendant horrifically exploited a teenager in a month-long sex trafficking nightmare. Today’s indictment underscores our commitment to protecting girls and at-risk individuals and ensuring those who engage in sex trafficking face serious consequences.”

The District Attorney identified the defendant as Sayquan Fleming, a.k.a. “Spectacular,” 26, of Coney Island, Brooklyn. He is charged in a 27-count indictment with sex trafficking of a child, sex trafficking by force, second-degree assault, third-degree rape, second-degree promoting prostitution, endangering the welfare of a child and related counts. He was arraigned today before Brooklyn Supreme Court Justice Danny Chun. Bail was set at $300,000 cash or $2 million bond. The defendant was ordered to return to court on February 11, 2026.

The District Attorney said that, according to the investigation, around November 3, 2025, a 15-year-old girl from Brooklyn was lured to an apartment in the Marlboro Houses in Coney Island where the defendant lived.

Upon arrival, the defendant allegedly took the minor victim’s phone and her purse containing her high school identification and gave her lingerie to wear and brought her and another female to the “Penn Track” street prostitution track in East New York where the teen was forced to solicit patrons from 2 a.m. to 7 a.m. The Penn Track is a stretch of roadway along Pennsylvania Avenue near Wortman and Georgia Avenues, that is frequently where traffickers bring their victims to solicit patrons to engage in sexual conduct for money.

The defendant also allegedly posted nude and semi-nude photographs of the teen on websites for commercial sex. All the money was to go to directly to the defendant. The defendant also allegedly had several other females that he was forcing to engage in sexual conduct for money.

Between November 3, 2025, and November 28, 2025, the defendant allegedly forced the minor victim to engage in sexual conduct for money on the Penn Track and in the stairwell of his apartment building in Coney Island. Additionally, if the buyer wanted the victim to go to them, they would send a car service to pick up the victim from the defendant’s residence to bring the victim to their place, where the victim was forced to engage in sexual conduct with men for money, all of which would allegedly be turned over to the defendant.

During the teen’s time with the defendant, he allegedly regularly assaulted her including one time when he accused her of not giving him all the proceeds she made while she was forced to engage in sexual conduct for him. On another occasion, to prove their loyalty to him, the defendant ordered the other women to assault the minor victim.

During the several weeks the minor victim was with the defendant, she also allegedly had to engage in sexual conduct with him on several occasions.

On November 28, 2025, the minor victim was able to convince the defendant to let her leave. In December, she disclosed what had happened to a school counselor and a report was made to law enforcement.

The investigation was led by Detective Daniel Bergamini, of the New York City Police Department’s Human Trafficking Squad, under the supervision of Sergeant Kevin Kavanagh and Lieutenant Christopher Zizza, and the overall supervision of Inspector Gary Marcus.

The District Attorney thanked Digital Forensic Analyst Lexie Giardina, of the Digital Evidence Lab and Human Trafficking Unit Social Worker Raquel Alger, and Assistant District Attorney Audrey Chao, of the Human Trafficking Unit, for their assistance in the investigation.

The case is being prosecuted by Senior Assistant District Attorney Janesse Dawson, 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 merely an accusation and not proof of a defendant’s guilty

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Friday, December 19, 2025

Brooklyn Man Charged with Stealing nearly $16 Million by Presenting Himself as Cryptocurrency Exchange Rep and Scamming Users

DA’s Office Investigation Revealed About 100 Victims Throughout the US;
Allegedly Convinced Users to Transfer Funds, Claiming Accounts were Hacked;
Over $500,000 in Alleged Stolen Funds Recovered So Far

[Note: court documents and materials displayed at the press conference are available here]

Brooklyn District Attorney Eric Gonzalez today announced that his Virtual Currency Unit indicted a 23-year-old Brooklyn man in connection with a phishing and social engineering scheme that stole nearly $16 million from about 100 users of the cryptocurrency exchange Coinbase. The defendant – who used the handle @lolimfeelingevil when bragging online – allegedly contacted users purporting to be a Coinbase representative, claimed that their assets are at risk from a hacker and convinced them to transfer their money to a new cryptocurrency wallet. He then allegedly emptied out those accounts and laundered the assets by sending them to online swapping and mixing services as well as cryptocurrency gambling entities.

District Attorney Gonzalez said, “This indictment charges the defendant of operating a long-running social engineering scam that amounted to a digital robbery against scores of crypto investors across the country. He allegedly tricked many unsuspecting people to transfer their life savings to wallets he controlled, blew their hard-earned money gambling online, and then bragged about his successful thefts. My office is committed to making sure that Brooklyn never becomes a hub for online scams, and we will continue to root out every instance of cryptocurrency fraud, which is a serious problem that’s been exploding throughout the country. We will investigate offenders using the latest technology, freeze their assets whenever possible, and assist the victims.”

Paul Grewal, Chief Legal Officer for Coinbase, said, “We’re grateful to District Attorney Gonzalez and the Brooklyn District Attorney’s Office for their partnership and relentless work to protect victims. In this case, Coinbase supported the investigation by helping identify the perpetrator and the customers he defrauded, providing evidence to ensure he could be charged, and assisting law enforcement efforts to trace and recover funds connected to the fraudulent phishing scheme. We’re committed to protecting our customers and working hand-in-hand with law enforcement to hold scammers accountable and help bring justice for those they harm.”

The District Attorney identified the defendant as Ronald Spektor, 23, of Sheepshead Bay, Brooklyn. He was arraigned today before Supreme Court Justice Danny Chun on a 31-count indictment charging him with first-degree grand larceny, first-degree money laundering, scheme to defraud and other related counts. The defendant is being held on bail and will be arraigned today by Supreme Court Justice Danny Chun.

About $105,000 in cash and approximately $400,000 in cryptocurrency were seized from the defendant in the course of the investigation and the DA’s Office is working to access more alleged stolen cryptocurrency assets.

The District Attorney explained that Coinbase is an American cryptocurrency exchange that allows its users to buy, sell, and store digital assets. Coinbase users are popular targets for phishing scams, which are social engineering cyberattacks where a bad actor impersonates a trusted entity, like a bank or a well-known company, to trick customers into revealing sensitive information, such as passwords, account numbers, or other personal details. These scams are typically conducted through deceptive emails, text message, phone calls, or malicious websites that mimic legitimate ones.

For the past year, the DA’s Virtual Currency Unit has been investigating a Coinbase phishing scheme that resulted in approximate loss of $15,944,000 from about 100 U.S.-based users (over 70 of whom were interviewed in the course of the investigation). Victims confirmed that a purported Coinbase representative contacted them and informed them that their assets were at risk from a hacker and needed to be moved to a new wallet. The users, believing they were communicating with a real Coinbase representative, unwittingly moved their crypto assets to a wallet that they were led to believe was under their sole control, but was actually accessible by the defendant.

The investigation further revealed that the stolen assets were then allegedly laundered by swapping them multiple times through different crypto exchanges until they were eventually consolidated at “cash-out points” where they could be converted to other types of cryptocurrencies, wagered in bets, converted to cash, and used to purchase gift cards or digital assets. Large portions of the stolen assets in this case were allegedly sent to gambling services and various online storefronts.

It is alleged that the defendant, who resides with his father in Brooklyn, is responsible for the scheme based on transaction records, blockchain analyses, digital forensic and evidence recovered from multiple search warrants. The defendant’s own home IP address was allegedly linked to multiple wallets that cryptocurrency was stolen from. The investigation also revealed that he allegedly used online forums to recruit others to work for him as social engineers (e.g. perpetuating what might look like a hacking attempt) and to brag about his criminal exploits.

Furthermore, the investigation revealed that Spektor allegedly used the handle @lolimfeelingevil on the encrypted messaging app Telegram, where he ran a channel called “Blockchain enemies” in which he openly bragged about his heists. He also allegedly used the encrypted apps like Discord. Investigators allege that recovered messages show that he wrote, using slang terms, that he lost six million dollars of cryptocurrency by gambling and implied that he has made millions of dollars’ worth of cryptocurrency through scamming.

In addition, text messages recovered from his phone show that after becoming the subject of online allegations of fraud, he allegedly made sure to dispose of a cryptocurrency hardware wallet and have a new one purchased.

Victims’ locations spanned the entire country. A California resident reported losing over $1 million and a Virginia resident reported losing over $900,000. A Pennsylvania man recalled receiving a phone call in September 2024 from an individual purporting to be “Fred Wilson” from Coinbase security. He was informed that there had been a suspicious attempt to move cryptocurrency from his account. Immediately prior to receiving the call, the victim had received multiple spoofed two factor authentication text messages from Coinbase and Google, helping to trick him into believing his username and password had been breached. He lost approximately $53,150 worth of cryptocurrency. A woman from Maryland received calls and emails alerting her that her wallet was compromised and discovered that about $38,750 worth of crypto had been transferred out of a wallet she believed she controlled. She also received an email from someone who identified themselves as “James Wilson,” who claimed to be an employee of Coinbase.

The District Attorney thanked Coinbase and Flashpoint for their assistance in the investigation.

The District Attorney offered the following tips to avoid falling victim to phishing scams:

• • Coinbase and most other companies will never call customers or ask to transfer crypto to a “safe wallet”
  • Don’t trust caller ID, sender names or lookalike domains that can be spoofed.
  • Only contact Coinbase and other companies through in-app support channels.
  • Slow down. Scammers rely on urgency and pressure. Verify independently, consult with other, don’t move money in a rush.
  • Use strong account protections, like two factor authentication or security keys where available.

The case was investigated by Assistant District Attorney Alona Katz, Chief of the District Attorney’s Virtual Currency Unit with the assistance of ADA Kevin Zhen of the Frauds Bureau, Senior Virtual Currency Analyst Sam Weaver, as well as analysts Jayden Kuprel, Chris Vellios, Paul Stenzel, and Paralegal Claire Fagan, of the Virtual Currency Unit. Detective Investigators from the KCDA Detective Bureau and members of the Digital Evidence Lab Unit under the supervision of Chief Jingu Chong also assisted in the investigation.

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Criminal complaints and indictments are accusatory instruments that contain allegations, not proof of a defendant’s guilt. Each defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Wednesday, December 17, 2025

Defendant Sentenced to 25 Years to Life in Prison for
Fatal Shooting of Stranger near Barclays Center

Victim was Shot Six Times in Busy Intersection following Dispute

Brooklyn District Attorney Eric Gonzalez today announced that a man has been sentenced to 25 years to life in prison for the shooting death of a Staten Island man following a verbal dispute near the Barclays Center in Boerum Hill, Brooklyn.

District Attorney Gonzalez said, “Today’s sentence holds this defendant accountable for this incredibly callous shooting of an innocent man. Steven Vargas was a beloved brother and uncle who was violently and senselessly taken from his family and friends. And while gun violence is currently at record lows in Brooklyn thanks to the dedicated focus of law enforcement, my thoughts are with Mr. Vargas’ loved ones today as they continue to deal with this profound loss.”

The District Attorney identified the defendant as Matthew Passaro, 53. He was sentenced today by Brooklyn Supreme Court Justice Danny Chun to 25 years to life in prison. The defendant was convicted of second-degree murder on November 18, 2025 following a jury trial.

The District Attorney said that, according to the evidence, on September 20, 2017, the defendant was walking on Atlantic Avenue in Boerum Hill, Brooklyn. He came upon the victim, 47-year-old Stephen Vargas, whom he didn’t know, standing on the corner of Atlantic Avenue and Fourth Avenue, and started yelling at him.

After exchanging words with the victim, the defendant walked about a block and a half, changed his clothes, then returned to where the victim was standing, in the vicinity of Fourth Avenue and Atlantic Avenue and, at about 8:15 p.m., shot him multiple times outside 578 Atlantic Avenue, killing him, according to trial testimony. The evidence showed that the defendant fired seven times, striking the victim six times about his body, including his spine, liver, kidneys, lungs, and heart, instantly killing him.

The defendant fled and was arrested on November 1, 2017 inside the Port Authority Bus Terminal in Midtown Manhattan. A loaded .45-caliber pistol was recovered from the defendant. A microscopic analysis of the recovered gun and ballistic evidence from the scene of the shooting determined that this was the same gun used to kill Vargas.

Following his arrest, according to trial testimony, the defendant admitted to police that he killed the victim.

The case was prosecuted by Senior Assistant District Attorney Jhounelle Cunningham, of the District Attorney’s Homicide Bureau, and Assistant District Attorney Kaitlin Kinsella, of the District Attorney’s Blue Zone Trial Bureau, under the supervision of Assistant District Attorney Leila Rosini, Homicde Bureau Chief.

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