Uncategorized

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Wednesday, August 6, 2025

Former Chairman of Emergency Medicine at SUNY Downstate
Medical Center Sentenced to Up to Three Years in Prison

Defendant Admitted Stealing Nearly $1.5 Million, Used Business Credit Card for
Personal Travel and Purchases, College Tuition and Cash Advances

Brooklyn District Attorney Eric Gonzalez, together with New York State Inspector General Lucy Lang, today announced that a now retired emergency medicine doctor has been sentenced to one to three years in prison. The defendant pleaded guilty in June to grand larceny for stealing approximately $1.44 million by using a business credit card for personal purchases and cash advances.

District Attorney Gonzalez said, “This defendant was entrusted with a leadership role at a critical Brooklyn medical institution and violated that trust by stealing nearly $1.5 million. SUNY Downstate does vital, lifesaving work, and these stolen funds could have been used to support patient care and medical services. Instead, they were diverted for personal expenses over a period of years. With today’s sentence, the defendant is being held accountable for this serious breach of trust. We remain committed to protecting public institutions from fraud and abuse, and I commend our prosecutors, along with our partners in the Inspector General’s Office and the Department of Taxation and Finance, for their outstanding work on this case.”

Inspector General Lang said, “Our state funded hospitals rely on every dollar to provide care to their patients, and it shocks the conscience that a doctor entrusted with caring for our state’s most vulnerable communities would steal them to bankroll his luxury lifestyle. This case should serve as a stark warning to any public servant who would consider abusing their position of trust for personal gain. Thank you to my team and to District Attorney Gonzalez and his staff for their partnership in combatting public corruption.”

SUNY Chancellor John B. King Jr. said, “SUNY took immediate action and alerted authorities when these illegal activities were uncovered by SUNY’s auditors, and we greatly appreciate the partnership of the District Attorney and Inspector General, in particular, in bringing this matter to a close. With more stringent internal controls and comprehensive oversight systems in place, SUNY Downstate is now in a stronger position.”

The District Attorney identified the defendant as Dr. Michael Lucchesi, 67, of Staten Island. He was sentenced today to an indeterminate term of one to three years in prison by Brooklyn Supreme Court Danny Chun. The defendant pleaded guilty to one count of first-degree grand larceny on June 13, 2025. In addition, the defendant agreed to make restitution in the amount of $720,000, which included restitution of $63,926 to the New York State Department of Taxation and Finance on the day of the guilty plea and restitution of $656,074 to Downstate Hospital’s clinical practice today.

The District Attorney said that, according to the investigation, between December 1, 2016 and January 31, 2023, the defendant, a medical doctor, who was the Chairman of Emergency Medicine at SUNY Downstate Medical Center, and at various points was the acting head of Downstate Hospital and the medical school, and was the Chief Medical Officer, made personal purchases using a credit card meant to be used for business purposes only by members of the clinical practice, University Physicians of Brooklyn, of SUNY Downstate.

The District Attorney said that, according to the investigation, the defendant’s spending totaled approximately $1.44 million and included cash advances of approximately $115,000; pet care totaling $176,000 (including $120,000 paid to The Greenleaf Pet Resort & Hotel in New Jersey); $348,000 spent on personal travel; $109,000 in payments to the New York Sports Club for membership and personal training; $92,000 for premium seating for sporting events, concerts and Broadway shows; $52,000 in catering expenses; $46,000 in tuition payments for his children; and assorted payments for online shopping, flowers, liquor, electronics and other items.

The thefts were discovered by SUNY during an audit.

The District Attorney thanked Investigative Counsel Thomas Collery, Senior Investigative Auditor Angelus Okeke, Investigative Auditor Victoria Oliva, and Senior Investigator Jimmy Gibson, under the supervision of Chief of Investigations for the Downstate Regional Offices Ben Defibaugh, Deputy Inspector General for the New York City Regional Office Ken Michaels, and Chief Deputy Inspector General Michele Bayer of the Offices of the New York State Inspector General for their work on the case.

The District Attorney also thanked the New York State Department of Taxation and Finance, Criminal Investigations Division.

The District Attorney thanked KCDA Chief Financial Investigator Ludwig Sanchez, Financial Investigator Jose Carlos Covas, Assistant District Attorney Dewey Golkin, Director of the Crimes Against Revenue Bureau, as well as KCDA Detective Investigators and Paralegal Jezebel Negrete-Ugaz, for their assistance on the case.

The case was prosecuted by Assistant District Attorney Michael Choi and Assistant District Attorney Andrew Kohler, both Special Counsel to the District Attorney’s Investigations Division, under the supervision of 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, August 4, 2025

Crown Heights Man Sentenced to 12 Years in Prison for Breaking into
Ex-Girlfriend’s Apartment and Stabbing Romantic Rival

Defendant Convicted of Burglary and Assault at Trial

Brooklyn District Attorney Eric Gonzalez announced today that a Crown Heights man has been sentenced to 12 years in prison for breaking into his ex-girlfriend’s home in the middle of the night and stabbing a romantic rival with a knife as he slept. The defendant was convicted at trial for the attack, which left the victim with life threatening injuries.

District Attorney Gonzalez said, “Today’s sentence holds the defendant responsible for a brutal and horrifying act of violence that nearly cost an innocent man his life. Keeping the people of Brooklyn safe is my highest priority, and violent offenders like this defendant will face serious consequences.”

The District Attorney identified the defendant as Clifton Turner, 39, of Crown Heights, Brooklyn. He was sentenced today by Brooklyn Supreme Court Justice Eugene Guarino to 12 years in prison and. The defendant was convicted of two counts of first-degree burglary, one count of second-degree assault and one count of petit larceny on September 23, 2024, following a jury trial.

The District Attorney said that, according to the evidence, on the night of November 4, 2020, the defendant showed up at his ex-girlfriend’s apartment building on Pulaski Street in Bedford-Stuyvesant. The defendant was pacing back and forth in the lobby when he encountered the 26-year-old victim arriving on a bike. At the time, the victim was dating the defendant’s ex-girlfriend, but did not know the other man. The defendant followed the victim into the elevator and up to the woman’s sixth-floor apartment. There, the defendant accosted the victim and threatened to kill him. The woman, 29, opened the door to her apartment and pulled the victim inside, leaving the bike in the hallway. The defendant took the bike and left.

Furthermore, according to the evidence, on November 5, 2020, at approximately 3:30 a.m., the defendant broke into the apartment and forced his way into the bedroom where the victim and ex-girlfriend were sleeping. The defendant proceeded to stab the victim twice in the left arm, severing a vein and brachial artery. The defendant then confiscated their cellphones. The woman was able to get the knife from the defendant and throw it out a window. She escaped the apartment and called 911 from a corner store.

The defendant ran out of the apartment in pursuit of his ex-girlfriend. Police arrived at the scene and arrested him as he was riding the victim’s bike and in possession of the two stolen cellphones.

The victim was rushed to Kings County Hospital where he became pulseless and apneic for approximately 10 minutes before being resuscitated. He remained hospitalized for four days.

The District Attorney thanked the following individuals for their assistance on this case: Assistant District Attorney Robert Kaftal, Deputy Chief of the District Attorney’s Law Enforcement Assistance Unit; Intelligence Analyst Lakeisha Taylor, of the District Attorney’s Homicide Bureau; Paralegal Jared Jokl and Paralegal Supervisor Jason Martinez, of the District Attorney’s Grey Zone Trial Bureau.

The District Attorney thanked KCDA Detective Investigators who assisted on the case.

The case was prosecuted by Senior Assistant District Attorney Roman Galper, and Senior Assistant District Attorney Fabian Smallwood, formerly of District Attorney’s Grey Zone Trial Bureau, under the supervision of Assistant District Attorney Courtney Hogg, Deputy Bureau Chief, and the overall supervision of Assistant District Attorney Robert Walsh, Bureau Chief.

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Monday, August 4, 2025

Brooklyn Man Indicted for Drunk Driving Crash That
Injured Two NYPD Officers and Passenger

Officers Hospitalized After Defendant Allegedly
Ran Red Light and Rolled SUV

Brooklyn District Attorney Eric Gonzalez today announced that a Brooklyn man has been arraigned on an indictment charging him with aggravated vehicular assault and related offenses for allegedly driving drunk, running a red light and crashing into a police vehicle — seriously injuring his passenger and two officers in Gravesend. Two additional individuals refused medical attention on the scene, and one person was treated by EMS on site.

District Attorney Gonzalez said, “This defendant allegedly made the reckless decision to get behind the wheel while intoxicated, causing serious injuries to numerous people, including two police officers who were simply doing their jobs. My office is fully committed to holding dangerous drivers accountable and keeping Brooklyn streets safe for everyone.”

The District Attorney identified the defendant as Diyrojon Sobirjonov, 24, of Midwood. He was arraigned today by Brooklyn Supreme Court Justice Christopher Robles on an indictment in which he is charged with two counts of aggravated vehicular assault, two counts of first-degree vehicular assault, six counts of second-degree vehicular assault, three counts of second-degree assault, two counts of operating a motor vehicle while under the influence of alcohol as a misdemeanor, reckless driving, failure to comply with a traffic control sign, excessive speed and driving in excess of maximum speed limits. Bail was set at $150,000 cash or $500,000 bond. The defendant was ordered to return to court on October 6, 2025.

The District Attorney said that, according to the investigation, on June 15, 2025, at approximately 2:30 a.m., the defendant was driving a 2024 Chevrolet Suburban northbound on Coney Island Avenue in Gravesend when he allegedly ran a red light at Avenue U at a high rate of speed and struck a 2024 Volvo in a T-bone crash. The Suburban then rolled over and slammed into a marked police vehicle, injuring two uniformed NYPD officers inside. The defendant’s front-seat passenger was ejected from the vehicle and was found lying unconscious in the street, bleeding heavily from the head. According to evidence obtained from the black box, the Suburban was traveling at about 88 mph (in a 25-mph zone), was at full throttle (suggesting the gas pedal was floored) and zero brake was applied at the time of the collision.

One officer suffered a fractured hip and femur, a chin laceration and underwent pelvic surgery that involved the insertion of a metal rod. The second officer sustained multiple pelvic fractures, a fractured arm and a concussion. Both officers required multiple surgeries following the crash. The passenger was in critical but stable condition.

The defendant allegedly had a blood alcohol content above the legal limit of .08.

The District Attorney thanked detectives of the NYPD’s Highway District Brooklyn Collision Investigation Squad and the detectives of the NYPD’s Brooklyn South Video Team for their case enhancement and assistance in the investigation.

The case is being prosecuted by Assistant District Attorney Adam Ghalmi, of the District Attorney’s Green Zone Trial Bureau, with assistance from Jennifer Nocella, Chief of the Street Safety Bureau, under the supervision of Assistant District Attorney Michael Boykin, Deputy Bureau Chief, and under the overall supervision of Assistant District Attorney Frank DeGaetano, Bureau Chief.

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Thursday, July 31, 2025

Brooklyn Man Indicted for PPP Loan Fraud and Voter Petition Scheme

Defendant Allegedly Stole More Than $104,000 in COVID Relief Funds,
Also Charged with Filing Fraudulent Petitions to Run for U.S. Senate

Brooklyn District Attorney Eric Gonzalez, together with New York State Attorney General Letitia James, today announced that a Brooklyn man has been indicted for allegedly stealing more than $104,000 in COVID-19 relief funds and, separately, for submitting fraudulent election petitions to appear on the 2024 Democratic primary ballot for U.S. Senate.

District Attorney Gonzalez said, “The defendant allegedly defrauded a critical pandemic relief program and attempted to deceive voters through a fraudulent election petition. Misusing public funds intended to help small businesses recover, and fabricating support to appear on the ballot, are serious allegations that reflect a troubling disregard for the law and public trust. Whether it’s stealing taxpayer money or trying to manipulate an election, these alleged actions demand accountability. My office remains committed to protecting both public resources and the integrity of our democratic process.”

Attorney General James said, “New Yorkers must be able to trust that our democracy and our economy are protected from fraud. Khaled Salem allegedly tried to undermine an election and critical financial aid to businesses with his schemes, but today we are bringing him to justice. I thank District Attorney Gonzalez and the New York State Board of Elections for their collaboration in this investigation and efforts to root out fraud wherever it arises.”

The Co-Executive Directors of the NYS Board of Elections, Raymond J. Riley, III and Kristen Zebrowski Stavisky, said, “The State Board is proud to work with law enforcement on this matter. We want to thank the District Attorney and his team for their diligence and action. While incidents of election fraud are rare, they are serious and unacceptable. New Yorkers deserve to know that those who attempt to undermine the democratic process will face consequences.”

The District Attorney identified the defendant as Khaled Salem, 53, of Bay Ridge. He is charged in a 60-count indictment with second-degree grand larceny, first-degree offering a false instrument for filing, second-degree criminal possession of a forged instrument, second- and third-degree identity theft and a violation of New York State Election Law. He was ordered released without bail and to return to court on September 24, 2025.

The District Attorney said that, according to the evidence, the defendant first applied for a Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) loan on April 6, 2020, for American Human Rights, Inc. (AHR), a nonprofit organization he incorporated in 2019. The defendant received a $104,166 PPP loan on March 15, 2021. The defendant later applied for loan forgiveness claiming that the required amount of loan proceeds was used for payroll costs. The loan application and loan forgiveness application allegedly included false representations about payroll and listed employees who never worked for or were associated with AHR.

Separately, on April 2, 2024, the defendant allegedly had a 12-volume, 5,900 page petition submitted to the New York State Board of Elections, seeking to qualify for the Democratic primary ballot. According to the petition, three subscribing witnesses collected approximately 30,000 signatures across New York State over a twenty-day period. Those subscribing witnesses, however, allegedly denied collecting any signatures for defendant or his campaign. The petition is also alleged to have included forged names, fake addresses and false witness signatures. Ultimately, the defendant was not placed on the ballot.

The District Attorney thanked the New York State Attorney General’s Office and the New York State Board of Elections for their assistance in the investigation, as well as Intelligence Analyst Veranika Basak and Paralegal Jezebel Negrete-Ugaz, both of the District Attorney’s Investigations Division, and KCDA Detective Investigators.

The case is being prosecuted by Assistant District Attorney Adam Libove, Deputy Chief of the District Attorney’s Public Integrity Bureau, under the supervision of Assistant District Attorney Laura Neubauer, Bureau Chief, 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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An indictment is an accusatory instrument and not proof of a defendant’s guilt.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Thursday, July 24, 2025

Brooklyn Man Sentenced to 25 Years to Life in
Prison For Brownsville Execution-Style Shooting

Defendant Shot Victim Multiple Times at Close Range in NYCHA Courtyard

Brooklyn District Attorney Eric Gonzalez today announced that a Brooklyn man has been sentenced to 25 years to life in prison for fatally shooting a man seated on a bench in the courtyard of a public housing complex in Brownsville. The defendant fired five rounds at the unarmed victim and fled the scene.

District Attorney Eric Gonzalez said, “This was a senseless, execution-style killing of a man who posed no threat. The victim was simply sitting outside when the defendant chose to open fire and take his life, robbing a boy of his father. Today’s sentence holds the defendant accountable for this horrific act, and I hope it brings a sense of justice to the victim’s loved ones.”

The District Attorney identified the defendant as Corey Townsend, 42. He was sentenced today to 25 years to life in prison by Brooklyn Supreme Court Justice Eugene Guarino. The defendant was convicted of second-degree murder and second-degree criminal possession of a weapon on April 8, 2025, following a jury trial.

The District Attorney said that, according to the evidence, on June 17, 2020, at approximately 9:05 p.m., the defendant approached Romaine Mazyck, 47, as he sat on a bench in the courtyard of the Howard Houses at 80 Osborn Street in Brownsville. The defendant then fired five rounds at close range, striking the victim multiple times in the head and torso, and fled the scene.

The victim was taken to Brookdale Hospital, where he was pronounced dead. The defendant was arrested on March 19, 2021.

Trial testimony established that the victim was unarmed and seated when the defendant shot him. The defendant later gave conflicting accounts of the shooting, which the court found to be unreliable and inconsistent with the evidence.

The case was prosecuted by Senior Assistant District Attorney Evan Hannay, of the District Attorney’s Homicide Bureau, and Assistant District Attorney Colby Levin, 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

Thursday, July 24, 2025

Brooklyn Man Sentenced to 38 Years in Prison for Attempted Murder of Former Girlfriend, who was Slashed and Stabbed at her Workplace

Defendant Attacked Victim on Multiple Occasions, Causing Severe, Lasting Injuries

Brooklyn District Attorney Eric Gonzalez today announced that a Brooklyn man was sentenced to 38 years in prison for violently attacking his former intimate partner on two occasions, including slashing her face with a box cutter and later stabbing her multiple times, critically injuring her, at her workplace, a restaurant in Downtown Brooklyn.

District Attorney Gonzalez said, “This defendant carried out a campaign of terror against a woman who once cared for him, leaving her with devastating physical and emotional injuries. His brutal and repeated violence showed a complete disregard for her life and for the law. With today’s sentence, he’s being held accountable and will no longer pose a threat to her or anyone else.”

The District Attorney identified the defendant as Rakien Figueroa, a.k.a., Rakeem Figueroa, 43, of East New York, Brooklyn. He was sentenced yesterday by Brooklyn Supreme Court Justice Abena Darkeh to 38 years in prison. He was convicted of second-degree attempted murder, two counts of first-degree assault, second-degree burglary, and second-degree assault on March 24, 2025, following a jury trial.

The District Attorney said that, according to the evidence, on December 2, 2022, at approximately 3:15 p.m., the defendant and the victim, a 39-year-old woman, were arguing on the corner of Jay Street and Fulton Street, in Downtown Brooklyn, after the defendant had taken her cell phone from her workplace. The defendant slashed the victim’s face with a box-cutter, causing a severe eight-inch laceration that required reconstructive repair and resulted in significant nerve and gland damage.

The defendant fled the scene and removed his ankle monitor that he was required to wear under federal supervision. Two days later, on December 4, 2022, according to the evidence, the defendant attacked the victim again inside her New Jersey apartment, where he had been hiding inside her closet. The defendant jumped out of the closet with a hammer when the victim and her sister came home. The defendant pushed the victim to the ground and pressed his boot against her neck, causing her to have difficulty breathing, and threatened her life, according to the evidence.

On January 10, 2023, the victim was at her workplace when, at approximately 7:47 a.m., the defendant smashed the glass front door of CAVA with a rock, pushed his way through the broken glass of the door, and attacked the victim again, stabbing her repeatedly with a knife. The victim sustained multiple life-threatening stab wounds, including injuries to her neck, face, arm, back, and kidney. The victim was monitored in the surgical ICU for approximately three days.

The defendant fled after the attack and was arrested on January 17, 2023, by NYPD detectives and U.S. Marshals after he was discovered hiding in a relative’s closet.

The case was prosecuted by Senior Assistant District Attorney Lauren Fitton and Assistant District Attorney Danielle Ripka, of the District Attorney’s Domestic Violence Bureau, under the supervision of Assistant District Attorney Kori Medow, Bureau Chief.

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Friday, July 18, 2025

Brooklyn Man Sentenced to 10 Years in Prison for Rush
Hour Subway Shooting That Injured Two Passengers

Defendant Opened Fire on Crowded C Train,
Hitting 17-Year-Old and 52-Year-Old Passengers

Brooklyn District Attorney Eric Gonzalez today announced that a Brooklyn man has been sentenced to 10 years in prison following his guilty plea to attempted murder for opening fire inside a crowded subway car during the evening rush hour, striking two passengers.

District Attorney Gonzalez said, “This was a terrifying act of gun violence that endangered dozens of commuters and left two people injured. Firing multiple shots on a packed train showed a blatant disregard for human life, and this sentence holds the defendant accountable for his actions. We remain committed to ensuring public safety and delivering justice for victims.”

The District Attorney identified the defendant as Alexander Villafana, 22, of Cypress Hills, Brooklyn. He was sentenced today by Brooklyn Supreme Court Justice Eugene Guarino to 10 years in prison. The defendant pleaded guilty to second-degree attempted murder on April 8, 2025.

The District Attorney said that, according to the evidence, on November 28, 2023, at approximately 5:35 p.m., the defendant was inside a crowded northbound C train approaching the Ralph Avenue station in Bedford-Stuyvesant when he got into a verbal altercation with a 17-year-old boy. The dispute escalated, and the defendant pulled out a gun and fired several shots, one of which struck the teen in the hand. As a 52-year-old passenger fled to an adjacent train car, he was struck in the ankle. A 9mm shell casing and fired bullets were recovered from the subway car.

The teenage victim was taken to Bellevue Hospital, where he underwent treatment for fractures to both hands. The older victim was taken to Kings County Hospital, where a bullet fragment was removed from his fractured ankle.

Following the shooting, the defendant fled to Pennsylvania and changed his appearance. The Regional Fugitive Task Force apprehended him at his home in Brooklyn on December 12, 2023.

The case was prosecuted by Senior Assistant District Attorney Omar Harding, of the District Attorney’s Violent Criminal Enterprise Bureau, under the supervision of Assistant District Attorney Alfred DeIngeniis, VCE Bureau Chief.

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Thursday, July 17, 2025

Brooklyn Man Sentenced to 30 Years in Prison for Shooting
Father and Son Following Traffic Dispute

After Victim Asked Him to “Chill Out,” Defendant Returned with Gun And
Opened Fire on Crowded Sidewalk; Apprehended by Bystanders as He Tried to Flee

Brooklyn District Attorney Eric Gonzalez today announced that a Brooklyn man was sentenced to 30 years in prison for shooting a man in East Flatbush, then also shooting the victim’s dad who tried to intervene. The broad daylight gun violence took place after the defendant became upset at a woman who was parking her car in a driveway, briefly blocking his vehicle, and the victim asked him to calm down.

District Attorney Gonzalez said, “This was a terrifying act of gun violence that inflicted lasting harm on a father and son and endangered everyone nearby. I commend the extraordinary bravery of the victims and the bystanders who intervened to disarm and detain the shooter. Thanks to their courage and the excellent work of my office, this dangerous individual has been held fully accountable and will no longer pose a threat to our community.”

The District Attorney identified the defendant as John Miller, 34, of East Flatbush, Brooklyn. The defendant, a violent felony offender, was sentenced today by Brooklyn Supreme Court Justice Jane Tully to 30 years in prison, following his conviction on two counts of first-degree assault and one count of second-degree criminal possession of a weapon following a jury trial last month.

The District Attorney said that, according to the evidence, on July 12, 2022, at about 6:30 p.m., in the vicinity of East 95th Street in East Flatbush, the first victim, a then 38-year-old man, was sitting in his parked car when he heard a commotion. He stepped out and saw the defendant yelling at a neighbor who was blocking his sedan as she navigated her vehicle into her driveway. He told the defendant to “chill out,” and the defendant responded, “I’ll be back,” before driving off. The victim then went and sat on his stoop.

A short time later, the defendant returned on foot, stood in front of the victim and repeatedly said, “You were the one talking s–t.” The defendant then reached into his pocket, prompting the victim to lunge toward him to grab the gun. But the defendant managed to shoot him twice at close range, striking his back and stomach. The victim’s father, who was 63 at the time and standing by the stoop, ran over to help and was shot once in the upper thigh. A crowd formed and the father managed to pry the gun from the defendant’s hand and give it to a bystander. The defendant attempted to escape but was apprehended by the crowd and held on the ground until police arrived.

The son was taken to Kings County Hospital where he received two life-saving operations, suffered a severe complication, and underwent a high-risk procedure before he was discharged after 17 days. The father was treated in Brookdale Hospital and still suffers from numbness in his right leg and cannot walk without a cane as a result of the injury to his sciatic nerve and the lodged bullet.

The case was prosecuted by Senior Assistant District Attorney Jessica Wishart and Assistant District Attorney Robert Andrea of the District Attorney’s Blue Zone Trial Bureau, under the supervision of Douglas Marquez, Deputy Bureau Chief, and the overall supervision of Kin Ng, Bureau Chief.

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Tuesday, July 15, 2025

Manhattan Man Sentenced to 25 Years in Prison for
Fatal Shooting of Innocent Bystander Inside Brooklyn Smoke Shop

Victim Was a Mother and Stranger to Defendant; Dog Also Killed by Gunfire

Brooklyn District Attorney Eric Gonzalez today announced that a Manhattan man has been sentenced to 25 years in prison following his guilty plea to first-degree manslaughter for fatally shooting a 36-year-old mother who was a stranger to him. The victim was struck by gunfire inside the Bedford-Stuyvesant smoke shop, where she was shopping with her dog. The dog was also killed.

District Attorney Gonzalez said, “This defendant brazenly opened fire into a store open to the public, killing a completely innocent woman and endangering everyone inside. Today’s sentence ensures he is held accountable for this outrageous act of violence and reflects the seriousness of the harm he caused.”

The District Attorney identified the defendant as Namel Colon, 39, of the Lower East Side. He pleaded guilty to first-degree manslaughter on June 9, 2025, before Brooklyn Supreme Court Justice Phyllis Chu, who sentenced him today to 25 years in prison.

The District Attorney said that, according to the investigation, on January 2, 2022, at approximately 9:45 p.m., the defendant arrived by car at Salim Smoke Shop, located at 488 DeKalb Avenue in Bedford-Stuyvesant. He exited the vehicle and fired into the store, striking Jennifer Ynoa, 36, a mother of four, in the torso. Ynoa, who was inside the store with her dog and had no connection to the defendant, was transferred to The Brooklyn Hospital Center, where she was pronounced dead. The victim’s dog was also fatally shot. A second person was present in the store at the time of the shooting but was not injured.

The defendant fled the scene but was apprehended by members of the NYPD’s Violent Felony Squad on February 22, 2022.

The case was prosecuted by Senior Assistant District Attorney Evan Hannay, of the District Attorney’s Homicide Bureau, and Senior Assistant District Attorney Jennifer Da Rin, 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

Tuesday, July 15, 2025

Brooklyn Man Sentenced to 19 Years to Life in Prison
For Murder of Deli Clerk During Flatbush Robbery

Masked Defendant Shot 20-Year-Old Victim in the Head 

Brooklyn District Attorney Eric Gonzalez today announced that a Brooklyn man has been sentenced to 19 years to life in prison following his guilty plea to second-degree murder for shooting a deli clerk in the head during a robbery. The defendant, who fled following the shooting, was apprehended in Newark, New Jersey.

District Attorney Gonzalez said, “This was a cold-blooded and senseless execution of a young man who was simply doing his job. Fadhl Moosa’s life was cut short in an act of shocking violence that has devastated his family and shaken the community. Today’s sentence ensures that the defendant will be held accountable for this horrific crime, and I hope it brings some measure of justice and closure to Fadhl’s loved ones.”

The District Attorney identified the defendant as Ricardo Senatus, 32, of Brooklyn. He was sentenced today to 19 years to life in prison by Brooklyn Supreme Court Justice Dineen Riviezzo. The defendant pleaded guilty to second-degree murder on June 24, 2025.

The District Attorney said that, according to the evidence, on December 14, 2021, at approximately 7:30 p.m., the defendant entered a deli located at 803 Flatbush Avenue, wearing a mask and armed with a firearm. He went behind the counter and pointed the firearm at the store clerk, Fadhl Moosa, 20, and demanded money from the cash register.

Furthermore, the District Attorney said, a physical struggle ensued between the defendant and the clerk and ended with the defendant shooting the victim in the head. The defendant left the store, then realized he forgot to take the money. He returned to the store, stepped over the dying victim’s body, and retrieved the money from the cash register.

The defendant fled the scene and was apprehended in Newark, New Jersey on December 20, 2021.

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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