Year: 2015

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Thursday, April 16, 2015

 

Alleged Unscrupulous Landlords Indicted For Unlawful Eviction Of Rent Stabilized Tenants and Filing False Documents In Connection With Residential Buildings in Bushwick, Greenpoint and Williamsburg

Defendants Face Up To 15 Years in Prison for Unlawfully Trying To Force Out
Tenants In Rapidly Gentrifying North Brooklyn Neighborhoods

Brooklyn District Attorney Ken Thompson today announced that two Brooklyn landlords have been indicted on unlawful eviction and other charges for allegedly forcing or attempting to force rent-stabilized tenants out of their homes by allegedly destroying their apartments and making them uninhabitable in an effort to destabilize the apartments in order to collect significantly higher market-rate rents.

District Attorney Thompson said, “We simply will not allow the hardworking people of Brooklyn to be intimidated and harassed or have their apartments destroyed by those who seek to force them out just to make money from the lucrative real estate market. Rent-stabilized apartments are designed to protect tenants and cannot be turned into market value apartments through intimidation and fraud. It’s against the law and we will investigate and vigorously prosecute those who harass and prey on innocent tenants in Brooklyn.”

New York State Homes and Community Renewal Commissioner/Chief Executive Officer Darryl C. Towns said, “Bravo to our Tenant Protection Unit and the Brooklyn DA’s Office for taking strong action to protect the tenants in these buildings. Landlords who destroy apartments making them unlivable, without consideration for structural integrity or the safety and security of the tenants, will be brought to justice. Through the TPU, the Governor has charged HCR with the mission to protect vulnerable tenants from abuses by landlords who want to aggressively and illegally move apartments out of rent regulation. While we know that most landlords are committed to following the law, we must act decisively against those who brazenly break the law.”

The District Attorney said that the defendants, Joel Israel, 34, and his brother, Amrom (aka Aaron) Israel, 37, both of Borough Park, Brooklyn, have been indicted on one count of scheme to defraud, one count of second-degree burglary, three counts of third-degree grand larceny, one count of second-degree criminal mischief, three counts of unlawful eviction, three counts of first-degree offering a false instrument for filing and three counts of first-degree falsifying business records. The defendants face up to 15 years on the top count of burglary, which is a “C” felony.

The defendants owned or otherwise directed JBI Management Inc., Linden Ventures LLC, 324 Central Avenue LLC, Salmor Realty 2, LLC and Salmor Realty LLC, which are variously charged as co-defendants in the indictment.

The District Attorney said that, according to the indictment, as landlords and managers, Joel Israel and his brother Aaron Israel, and their companies owned or controlled at least four rent-stabilized buildings in northern Brooklyn. At several of these buildings the defendants allegedly schemed to harass tenants, evict tenants and deny tenants their property rights. The purpose of the scheme was allegedly to remove the rent-stabilized tenants from their apartments in order to make a greater profit by renting the apartments at market rate, which in some instances could be as much as four times what the rent-stabilized tenants were paying.

98 LINDEN STREET 

The District Attorney said that, according to the indictment, the defendants gained control of 98 Linden Street, in Bushwick, in December 2012 by purchasing the building in the name of Linden Ventures LLC. The property was a three-story building with two two-bedroom apartments on each floor. Apartment 1R was occupied by four adults and apartment 1L was occupied four adults and two children. The monthly rent was approximately $650 to $700.

In May 2013, according to the indictment, JBI Management informed the tenants of apartments 1R and 1L that some structural work would be required and that their kitchens and bathrooms would be unavailable to them for several weeks, but that the work would include a renovation of these rooms. On June 4, 2013, the defendants and a worker allegedly visited the apartments and in one day the worker cut out portions of the kitchen floor and pulled down two bathroom walls, rendering the rooms unusable. The kitchen and bathroom were then sealed off from the rest of the apartment with a plywood partition. No further work was done and in August 2013, Aaron Israel visited the building and allegedly told the tenants they had to leave because of the building’s condition. Instead, the tenants hired a lawyer and sued the landlords. They won their case and the landlord was forced to make repairs, which began in August 2014 and continued to December 2014. During that 17-month period the families were forced to rely on a hot plate for cooking and the use of a relative’s bathroom, and in some instances, bathrooms located in local stores and restaurants.

324 CENTRAL AVENUE 

It is alleged that the defendants owned and controlled 324 Central Avenue, a three-story building in Bushwick, with two two-bedroom apartments on each floor. In 2005, a tenant began residing in apartment 3A, and in July 2013, the tenant signed a new lease with 324 Central Realty LLC, which was owned and controlled by Joel Israel. The tenant’s rent was $1050 per month. For December 2013 and January 2014 the tenant paid an agreed upon reduced rent because of problems with the heating and lighting.

It is alleged that on the morning of February 27, 2014, the tenant left the apartment for a medical appointment in the morning and returned home at approximately 11 a.m., to find a New York City Marshal blocking the entrance. The tenant called the police, and upon gaining entry to the apartment found that it was destroyed, with the kitchen and bathroom demolished and rendered unusable. The tenant filed a civil action against the defendants and won orders of repossession and repair, but the defendants never made repairs and the tenant never returned to the apartment.

It is alleged that on June 12, 2013, the defendants submitted documents to the New York City Department of Buildings for a work permit in which they falsely claimed that the building would not be occupied at the time of construction and that the building was not subject to the rent stabilization law.

300 NASSAU AVENUE 

It is alleged that the defendants controlled 300 Nassau Avenue, a three-story building in Greenpoint with two two-bedroom apartments on each floor. In September 2013, Joel Israel allegedly approached a tenant of one of the apartments and offered her $50,000 to vacate the apartment, which was a rent-stabilized unit. She declined his offer. Prior to his offer, it is alleged, in March 2013, demolition began on the second floor even though tenants still occupied apartments on the first and third floors. As a result of the continuing construction, in October 2013, the tenants lost heat. In December 2013, it is alleged, the service of utilities to 300 Nassau Avenue ceased due to the connections to the building being damaged and the New York City Department of Housing Preservation and Development issued a vacate order for the building, forcing the remaining tenants from their homes.

It is further alleged, according to the indictment, that prior to the 2013 construction, on July 6, 2012, Joel Israel filed a work application with the New York City Department of Buildings, which stated that the building would not be occupied during the “gut renovation,” even though multiple tenants did live at that location.

15 HUMBOLDT STREET 

It is alleged that the defendants controlled 15 Humboldt Street, a four-story building in Williamsburg with two two-bedroom apartments on each floor, since at least 2010. On August 31, 2010, the defendants allegedly filed a work application with the New York City Department of Buildings seeking permission for renovation of the four floors and the cellar. The application allegedly falsely stated that none of the units would be occupied during construction and that the building was not subject to the rent stabilization law. In fact, rent-stabilized tenants were living in the building while construction was underway. Furthermore, it is alleged, the construction resulted in the use of the cellar as an illegal dwelling.

The District Attorney further stated that none of the tenants of 324 Central Avenue, 300 Nassau Avenue or 15 Humboldt Street was protected from ongoing construction by a Tenant Protection Plan, which was required by the New York City Building Code, because the defendants falsely represented to the New York City Department of Buildings that the building would be unoccupied during construction.

The NYS HCR Tenant Protection Unit, a proactive enforcement unit created by Governor Andrew M. Cuomo in 2012 to root out fraud and corruption in the rent regulation system offered significant assistance in this investigation. The TPU’s involvement with the JBI case began after the Unit received several calls from Brooklyn-based legal services groups concerning allegations of extreme harassment and intimidation in trying to force Brooklyn tenants out of their rent-regulated apartments by creating hazardous living conditions  in many of the ten buildings owned by the landlord in Bushwick, Williamsburg, and Greenpoint.

Rep. Nydia M. Velázquez (D-NY) said, “We simply cannot allow dishonest landlords to intimidate and harass working families in a brazen attempt to ring more profit from New York’s tight real estate market.  I applaud DA Thompson for vigorously pursuing this case, Councilman Antonio Reynoso who was instrumental in drawing attention to this matter and all of the local community and housing advocacy organizations who banded together to seek justice.”

Public Advocate Letitia James said, “Safe and affordable housing is a basic right of every single New Yorker. The charges brought against the perpetrators by District Attorney Thompson shock the conscious and cannot go unpunished.  Let this be a message to all that harassment of tenants will not be tolerated, and that government will use every tool possible to defend working families and take on unscrupulous landlords – whether through the Worst Landlord’s Watchlist or criminal prosecution.”

New York City Housing Preservation and Development Commissioner Vicki Been said, “We will not let landlords like the Israels use unscrupulous and dangerous tactics to force their tenants out of their homes and remove existing rent-stabilized housing from the community. HPD’s aggressive legal action successfully forced Mr. Israel to repair the apartments and allow the tenants to return to their homes. Today’s indictment by District Attorney Thompson sends another clear message that owners who skirt the law and put their tenants’ lives and well-being at risk will be held accountable for their actions.”

New York City Department of Buildings Commissioner Rick Chandler said, “I would like to congratulate and thank District Attorney Thompson and his team for all their hard work on this case which has led to this indictment. I would also like to recognize the efforts of our Buildings Marshal’s Office, in particular Deputy Marshal Ryan Gobin. This sort of abuse will not be tolerated, and the Department will continue to work with our city agency partners and law enforcement to proactively investigate and identify problematic landlords that seek to undermine residents safety.”

The District Attorney thanked the following for their assistance in this matter:

The New York State Division of Homes and Community Renewal, and in particular its Tenant Protection Unit; the New York City Department of Buildings; the New York City Department of Housing, Preservation and Development; South Brooklyn Legal Services; Bushwick Housing & Legal Assistance Program; Congresswoman Nydia M. Velazquez; Office of Council Member Antonio Reynoso and Brooklyn Legal Services Corporation A.

The case was investigated by Detective Investigators Loretta Rolon, Jacqueline Klapak and Louis Capolupo, of the District Attorney’s Investigations Bureau, under the supervision of Detective Investigator Michael Seminara, and the overall supervision of Chief Richard Bellucci.

The case is being prosecuted by Assistant District Attorneys Gavin W. Miles, Real Estate Fraud Unit Chief Richard Farrell, of the District Attorney’s Frauds Bureau, under the supervision of Felice Sontupe, Bureau Chief, and the overall supervision of Executive Assistant District Attorney William E. Schaeffer, Chief of the District Attorney’s Investigations Division.

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

 

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Tuesday, April 21, 2015

 

Defendant Who Allegedly Targeted Asian Women Indicted For Robbery as a Hate Crime and Other Charges in Six Separate Incidents

Faces Up To 25 Years in Prison on Top Count

Brooklyn District Attorney Ken Thompson today said that a 20-year-old man has been named in a 36-count indictment in which he is charged with second-degree robbery as a hate crime and other charges for allegedly robbing five Chinese women and attempting to rob a sixth woman in separate incidents in Borough Park. The women were allegedly targeted because of their race.

District Attorney Thompson said, “This defendant allegedly targeted Asian women walking alone because he believed he could overpower them. Such cowardly attacks – whether based on a person’s race, gender, sexuality or ethnicity, destroy the fabric of who we are as a community and won’t be tolerated.”

The District Attorney identified the defendant as Manuel Israel, 20, of Manhattan. He has been named in a 36-count indictment in which he is variously charged with second-degree robbery as a hate crime, second-degree robbery, third-degree robbery as a hate crime, third-degree robbery, fourth-degree grand larceny as a hate crime, fourth-degree grand larceny, second-degree assault as a hate crime, second-degree assault, second-degree attempted robbery as a hate crime, second-degree attempted robbery, third-degree attempted robbery as a hate crime, third-degree attempted robbery, fourth-degree attempted grand larceny as a hate crime and fourth-degree attempted grand larceny. He will be arraigned on the indictment in Brooklyn Supreme Court at a later date. Israel was initially arrested on April 6, 2015, and ordered held on $50,000 bail following his Criminal Court arraignment.

The District Attorney said that, according to the investigation, on April 6, 2015, at approximately 12:20 a.m., in the vicinity of 55^th Street and Fort Hamilton Parkway, a 23-year-old woman of Chinese descent was walking alone when the defendant allegedly approached her from behind and repeatedly pulled on her purse, causing her to fall to the ground. He then allegedly stood over her and stated: “Give me all of your money.”

The District Attorney said that, according to the investigation, a bystander happened upon the alleged attempted robbery and saw the defendant with his arm around the victim’s neck in an apparent struggle and called 911. Police immediately responded to the scene and apprehended Israel about 20 minutes later approximately six blocks from the scene.

Upon further investigation, the defendant was charged with five additional robberies of women of Chinese descent, ages 21 to 43, between March 21^st and April 4, 2015, all in the vicinity of Fort Hamilton Parkway between 55^th and 71^st Streets. In each of the incidents, the defendant allegedly approached the victims from behind and pulled on their handbags, causing them to fall to the ground. It is alleged that he then grabbed the victims’ handbags and fled. Three of the victims suffered injuries, including lacerations, bruising and pain. The investigation revealed that Israel selected women of Chinese descent because he perceived them to be vulnerable to attack.

The case was investigated by New York City Police Department Sergeant Joe Chen of the 66^th Precinct and Detective Davida Welch of the 66^th Precinct Detective Squad; Detectives Marc Leonard and Robert Agron of the 68^th Precinct Detective Squad and Detectives Sebastian Chichotky and Michael Diaz of the NYPD’s Hate Crimes Task Force.

The case is being prosecuted by Assistant District Attorney Grace Brainard, of the District Attorney’s Civil Rights Bureau, under the supervision of Assistant District Attorney Damani Sims, Deputy Bureau Chief and Assistant District Attorney Marc Fliedner, Chief, and the overall supervision of Executive Assistant District Attorney William E. Schaeffer, Chief of the District Attorney’s Investigations Division.

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

 

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Thursday, April 23, 2015

 

Statement of Brooklyn District Attorney Ken Thompson on the Confirmation of Loretta Lynch as U.S. Attorney General

 

“I congratulate Loretta Lynch on her historic confirmation as Attorney General of the United States.  I had the honor to serve with Loretta in the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of New York.  She’s an extraordinary prosecutor, possesses great integrity and will be relentless in protecting the interests of the American people. I have no doubt that Loretta will serve our nation with honor and distinction. As the first-ever African American woman to serve as Attorney General, this is also a proud moment in our country’s history.”

 

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Monday, April 27, 2015

 

Four Alleged Drug Dealers Indicted For Running Cocaine Delivery Service In Downtown Brooklyn

Allegedly Sold Drugs to Hundreds of Repeat Customers Over Course of Investigation;
More than 1 ½ Kilos With Street Value Up To $200,000 Recovered

Brooklyn District Attorney Ken Thompson, together with New York City Police Commissioner William J. Bratton, today announced that three men and one woman have been indicted in connection with operating a cocaine delivery service in Downtown Brooklyn. It is alleged that customers called a shared cell phone to place an order for cocaine or crack cocaine, which was then delivered to the buyer at an agreed upon location in exchange for cash.

District Attorney Thompson said, “This alleged cocaine delivery ring had the audacity to sell crack cocaine right in the middle of the day and within the shadows of our courts. Thanks to the efforts of the NYPD and my prosecutors they are closed for business and will now be prosecuted in those same courts.”

Commissioner Bratton said, “Illegal narcotics, whether sold on the street or delivered to someone’s home, erode the quality of life in our neighborhoods. I want to thank the members of the Narcotics Borough Brooklyn North for working closely with the Brooklyn District Attorney’s Office to remove these alleged drug dealers from our Brooklyn communities.”

The District Attorney identified the defendants as Francisco Frias, 32, of 549 39^th Street, in Sunset Park, Brooklyn; his cousin, Mario Frias, 35, of 512 68^th Street, in Bay Ridge, Brooklyn; Rafael Velasquez, 34, of 957 Willowbrook Road, Staten Island; and Victoria Rivera, 33, of 512 68^th Street, in Bay Ridge, Brooklyn. The defendants are variously charged  in a 114-count indictment with second- and fourth-degree conspiracy, operating as a major trafficker, first-, second- third- fourth- and seventh-degree criminal possession of a controlled substance, second- and third-degree criminal sale of a controlled substance, criminal sale of a controlled substance in or near school grounds, second-degree criminally using drug paraphernalia, second- and third-degree criminal possession of a weapon and criminal possession of a firearm.

Victoria Rivera was arraigned this morning before Brooklyn Supreme Court Justice Shawndya Simpson and her bail was continued at $300,000. Rafael Velasquez was expected to be arraigned this afternoon. Francisco Frias and Mario Frias are scheduled to be arraigned on April 29, 2015. All four of the defendants are scheduled to return to court on May 28, 2015. The three top defendants face 15 years to life in prison on the top count if convicted. Rivera faces up to 20 years in prison.

The District Attorney said that, according to the investigation, between April 1, 2014 and April 1, 2015, in Downtown Brooklyn, as well as Carroll Gardens, Cobble Hill and Boerum Hill, the defendants conspired to sell cocaine and crack cocaine, usually in $20, $40 and $140 bags. It is alleged that Francisco Frias was the leader of the crew and that his cousin, Mario Frias, and another man, Rafael Velasquez, worked as cocaine deliverymen. Victoria Rivera, who is Mario Frias’ wife, is charged with possession of a controlled substance.

It is alleged that the three male defendants shared a Toyota Prius and a cell phone to operate the drug delivery service. Specifically, Mario Frias worked three days a week and was paid $600 and Rafael Velasquez worked four days a week and was paid $1,000. Francisco Frias allegedly worked as a deliveryman as needed.

It is alleged that customers placed orders for cocaine and crack cocaine over the shared cell phone and whoever was on call answered the phone and drove the Toyota Prius to deliver the order. The ring allegedly filled about 25 orders a day, 365 days a year, between 10 a.m. and 10 p.m., to more than 100 repeat customers.

The District Attorney said that the investigation was conducted using undercover officers, as well as video and wiretap surveillance and a GPS tracking device which was placed on the Prius. The defendants were arrested on April 1, 2015, and search warrants executed subsequently led to the recovery of more than 1 ½ kilos of cocaine hidden under a bathroom vanity in the apartment of Mario Frias and Victoria Rivera. Also recovered were drug paraphernalia including a heat sealing device, a measuring cup with cocaine residue and scales. A search of the Toyota Prius, located in Staten Island, yielded 41 additional bags of cocaine and crack cocaine packaged for sale. A .25 caliber pistol was recovered from Velasquez’s residence on Staten Island.

The investigation was conducted by New York City Police Department Detective John Gamble, Narcotics Borough Brooklyn North, Major Case Unit under the supervision of Lieutenant William Buchanan, and the overall supervision of Inspector Joseph Kenny.

The case is being prosecuted by Assistant District Attorney Nicholas Scott, of the District Attorney’s Violent Criminal Enterprises Bureau, under the supervision of Assistant District Attorney Tara Lenich, Deputy Chief for Investigations and Nicole Chavis, Chief, and the overall supervision of Executive Assistant District Attorney William E. Schaeffer, Chief of the District Attorney’s Investigations Division.

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

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Thursday, April 30, 2015

 

Fifteen Defendants Arrested For Alleged Narcotics Trafficking Following Undercover Investigation at Unity Plaza Houses in East New York

Approximately 150 Undercover Buys Made During Course of Eight Month Operation

Brooklyn District Attorney Ken Thompson, together with New York City Police Commissioner William J. Bratton, today announced that 15 alleged drug dealers have been charged in connection with allegedly selling crack cocaine and marijuana to undercover officers over the past eight months during an anti-drug initiative at the Unity Plaza Houses in East New York. In addition, a quantity of crack cocaine and marijuana was recovered during the execution of court-authorized search warrants.

District Attorney Thompson said, “This investigation underscores the determination of my office and the New York City Police Department to continue to work to improve the quality of life for all residents of public housing. The scourge of drug dealing has no place among the law-abiding residents of Unity Plaza Houses, who deserve to raise their families in a safe environment.”

Commissioner Bratton said, “The NYPD remains committed to the residents of public housing developments and will continue to address the sale of illegal narcotics in North Brooklyn. I want to thank the members of Narcotics Borough Brooklyn North and the Brooklyn District Attorney’s Office whose hard work in this investigation resulted in the arrest of individuals whose alleged actions compromised the safety and well-being of the families of the Unity Plaza community.”

The investigation began in August 2014 following community complaints about narcotics trafficking and violence in and around the Unity Plaza Houses, located in East New York. The Unity Houses, which is part of the New York City Housing Authority, consists of eight buildings with addresses on Williams Avenue, Blake Avenue and Georgia Avenue. The majority of the defendants live in the housing development which they are alleged to have turned into a drug market and where violent crime has been an ongoing problem.

Over the course of the investigation, undercover officers made approximately 150 buys, mostly of crack cocaine, along with some marijuana. The majority of the buys were made within 1,000 feet of the following schools: Public School 174 located at 574 Dumont Avenue and Public School 328 located at 330 Alabama Avenue.

The defendants were arrested yesterday and are presently awaiting arraignment in Brooklyn Criminal Court. In addition, police executed six court-authorized search warrants yesterday and among the items seized were a quantity of crack cocaine and marijuana, as well as drug paraphernalia.

The defendants are variously charged in criminal complaints with criminal sale of a controlled substance in or near school grounds, a B felony punishable by up to 9 years in prison; criminal sale of a controlled substance in the third-degree, a class B felony punishable by up to nine years in prison; criminal possession of a controlled substance in the third-degree, a B felony punishable by up to 9 years in prison; criminal possession of a controlled substance in the seventh-degree, an A misdemeanor punishable by up to one year in prison; and criminal sale of marihuana in the fourth-degree, an A misdemeanor punishable by up to one year in jail.

The investigation was conducted by New York City Police Department Detective Brian DePalo of the Narcotics Borough Brooklyn North, under the supervision of Lieutenant William Buchanan.

The case is being prosecuted by Assistant District Attorney Maria Linares, Deputy Chief of the District Attorney’s Violent Criminal Enterprises Bureau, under the supervision of Assistant District Attorney Nicole Chavis, Bureau Chief, and the overall supervision of Executive Assistant District Attorney William E. Schaeffer, Chief of Investigations.

Defendant Addendum:

Theresa Bishop, dob: 8-28-89, 611 Blake Avenue, Brooklyn, NY. Charged with criminal sale of a controlled substance in or near school grounds (1 count); criminal sale of a controlled substance in the third-degree (1 count); criminal possession of a controlled substance in the third-degree (1 count); and criminal possession of a controlled substance in the seventh-degree (1 count).

Anita Choice, dob: 11-26-64, 350 Snediker Avenue. Charged with criminal sale of marihuana in the fourth-degree (2 counts) and unlawful possession of marihuana (1 count).

Deshawn Cross, dob: 8-31-91, 580 Blake Avenue. Charged with criminal sale of a controlled substance in or near school grounds (6 counts); criminal sale of a controlled substance in the third-degree (6 counts); criminal possession of a controlled substance in the third-degree (6 counts); criminal possession of a controlled substance in the seventh degree (1 count).

Shereen Fernandez, dob: unknown, 391 Georgia Avenue, Brooklyn, NY. Charged with criminal sale of a controlled substance in or near school grounds (5 counts); criminal sale of a controlled substance in the third-degree (5 counts); criminal possession of a controlled substance in the third-degree (5 counts); criminal possession of a controlled substance in the seventh-degree (1 count); and endangering the welfare of a child.

Yvonne Garland, dob: 10-24-62, 340 Georgia Avenue, NY. Charged with criminal sale of a controlled substance in or near school grounds (7 counts); criminal sale of a controlled substance in the third-degree (7 counts); criminal possession of a controlled substance in the third-degree (7 counts); criminal possession of a controlled substance in the seventh-degree (1 count); and criminal sale of marihuana in the fourth-degree (1 count).

Quran Godley, dob: unknown, 523 Blake Avenue, Brooklyn, NY. Charged with criminal sale of a controlled substance in or near school grounds (2 counts); criminal sale of a controlled substance in the third-degree (2 counts); criminal possession of a controlled substance in the third-degree (2 counts); criminal possession of a controlled substance in the seventh-degree (1 count); and criminal sale of marihuana in the fourth-degree (13 counts).

Terrell Johnson, dob: 1-3-85, 395 Vermont Avenue, Brooklyn, NY. Charged with criminal sale of a controlled substance in or near school grounds (5 counts); criminal sale of a controlled substance in the third-degree (5 counts); criminal possession of a controlled substance in the third-degree (5 counts); and criminal possession of a controlled substance in the seventh-degree (1 count).

Michael Lopez, dob: unknown, 2904 Atlantic Avenue, Brooklyn, NY. Charged with criminal sale of marihuana in the fourth-degree.

Lee Miller, dob: 8-7-77, 375 Pulaski Street, Brooklyn, NY. Charged with criminal sale of a controlled substance in or near school grounds (3 counts); criminal sale of a controlled substance in the third-degree (3 counts); criminal possession of a controlled substance in the third-degree (3 counts); and criminal possession of a controlled substance in the seventh-degree (1 count).

Anthony Mitchell, dob: 12-30-63, 580 Blake Avenue, Brooklyn, NY. Charged with criminal sale of a controlled substance in or near school grounds (14 counts); criminal sale of a controlled substance in the third-degree (14 counts); criminal possession of a controlled substance in the third-degree (14 counts); criminal possession of a controlled substance in the seventh-degree (1 count); and criminal sale of marihuana in the fourth-degree (1 count).

Robert Natt, dob: 7-3-79, 340 Williams Avenue, Brooklyn, NY. Charged with criminal sale of a controlled substance in or near school grounds (14 counts); criminal sale of a controlled substance in the third-degree (14 counts); criminal possession of a controlled substance in the third-degree (14 counts); criminal possession of a controlled substance in the seventh-degree (1 count); and endangering the welfare of a child.

Darryl Price, dob: 9-24-62, 570 Blake Avenue. Charged with criminal sale of a controlled substance in or near school grounds (7 counts); criminal sale of a controlled substance in the third-degree (7 counts); criminal possession of a controlled substance in the third-degree (7 counts); and criminal possession of a controlled substance in the seventh-degree (1 count) and criminal sale of marihuana in the fourth degree (1 count).

Corey Smith, dob: 7-10-81, 523 Blake Avenue, Brooklyn, NY. Charged with criminal sale of marihuana in the fourth-degree (5 counts).

Mark Snyder, dob: unknown, 585 Blake Avenue, Brooklyn, NY. Charged with criminal sale of a controlled substance in or near school grounds (23 counts); criminal sale of a controlled substance in the third-degree (23 counts); criminal possession of a controlled substance in the third-degree (23 counts); and criminal possession of a controlled substance in the seventh-degree (1 count).

Joseph Thomas, dob: unknown, 340 Georgia Avenue, Brooklyn, NY. Charged with criminal sale of a controlled substance in or near school grounds (10 counts); criminal sale of a controlled substance in the third-degree (10 counts); criminal possession of a controlled substance in the third-degree (10 counts); and criminal possession of a controlled substance in the seventh-degree (1 count).

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

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Thursday, April 30, 2015

 

Brooklyn Man Sentenced To 184 Years in Prison For Statutory Rape

Defendant Had Sexual Relationship With Teen Beginning When She Was 13 Years Old

 

Brooklyn District Attorney Ken Thompson today announced that a 38-year-old Brooklyn man has been sentenced to 184 years in prison following his conviction last month on statutory rape and other charges stemming from a sexual relationship he had with the victim beginning when she was 13 years old. He was also convicted of videotaping some of the sexual encounters as well as videotaping additional encounters of her having group sex with himself and other men.

District Attorney Thompson said, “This defendant degraded and violated an innocent young girl who will likely never be the same. Today’s sentence reflects the seriousness of his deplorable acts and guarantees that this sexual predator will spend the rest of his life behind bars, where he belongs.”

The District Attorney identified the defendant as Mario Valdiviezo, 38, of  Borough Park. He was today sentenced by Brooklyn Supreme Court Justice Vincent DelGiudice to 184 years in prison. The defendant was convicted of two counts of use of a child in a sexual performance, five counts of second-degree rape, five counts of second-degree criminal sexual act, nine counts of third-degree rape, 12 counts of third-degree criminal sexual act and one count of endangering the welfare of a child following a jury trial.

The District Attorney said that, according to trial testimony, the defendant, who was a co-worker of the victim’s mother, had a sexual relationship with the victim from September 6, 2007 to October 15, 2010. The defendant was 29 years old when the relationship began and the victim was 13 years old. In addition, the defendant videotaped sexual encounters between himself and the victim as well as between the victim, himself  and other men.

The relationship ended, according to trial testimony, when the victim moved out of state. It was revealed when the victim’s cousin, who was dating the defendant, found videotapes of his encounter with the child and contacted the police.

The case was prosecuted by Assistant District Attorney Olatokunbo Olaniyan of the District Attorney’s Special Victims Bureau, under the supervision of Assistant District Attorney Miss Gregory, Bureau Chief.

 

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Friday, May 1, 2015

 

Brooklyn Landlord Convicted Of Murder For Shooting Death of Tenant

Terrorized Second Tenant and Her Children With Pipe After the Shooting

 

Brooklyn District Attorney Ken Thompson today announced that a 63-year-old East New York landlord has been convicted of second-degree murder and other charges for gunning down his 51-year-old tenant following a dispute over unpaid rent and then confronting and assaulting a second tenant and her children.

District Attorney Thompson said, “This defendant was out of control – he shot to death his tenant over unpaid rent and then went on to terrorize and assault another tenant and her two young children. He destroyed not only the victim’s life but his own as he will likely spend the rest of his days behind bars.”

The District Attorney identified the defendant as Phillip Estevez, 63, of 566 Shepherd Avenue, in East New York, Brooklyn. He was convicted today of one count of second-degree murder, three counts of second-degree assault and two counts of endangering the welfare of a child following a jury trial before Brooklyn Supreme Court Justice Albert Tomei, who set sentencing for May 26, 2015. The defendant faces 25 years to life in prison on the top count.

The District Attorney said that, according to trial testimony, on March 10, 2013, at 566 Shepherd Avenue, the defendant, who rented out rooms in his one family house, confronted Luis Martinez, 51, who rented a room in the basement, over unpaid rent. During the confrontation Estevez pulled out a gun and shot Martinez twice in the head and once in the chest, killing him.

The defendant then went up to the second floor of the house, where he rented rooms to tenant Ana Rodriguez and her husband and their two children. Ana Rodriguez was home alone with her two children, an 11-year-old boy and a 12-year-old girl. They tried to hide from the defendant, but he confronted them, striking the mother and the girl in the head with a pipe, and causing the boy to jump out of a window to seek help. Both the boy, who broke his foot after jumping, and the girl, escaped and ran to the nearby 75^th precinct stationhouse to alert police.

The case was prosecuted by Senior Assistant District Attorney Robert Walsh, of the District Attorney’s Homicide Bureau, under the supervision of Assistant District Attorney Kenneth Taub, Bureau Chief.

 

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Tuesday, May 5, 2015

 

 

Brooklyn Man Who Shot and Paralyzed 11-Year-Old GirlPleads Guilty to Felony Assault; Faces 17 Years in Prison

Child Caught in Gunfire As Defendant Fired At Rival Gang Members

 

Brooklyn District Attorney Ken Thompson today announced that a 19-year-old Bedford-Stuyvesant man has pleaded guilty to one count of first-degree assault for a 2013 shooting that left an 11-year-old girl paralyzed. The defendant is expected to receive 17 years in prison when he is sentenced next month.

District Attorney Thompson said, “Senseless gang violence has changed this beautiful little girl’s life forever. With this guilty plea, she will now be spared the trauma of testifying about being shot, the defendant is guaranteed to serve a long time in prison and our streets are now safer.”

The District Attorney identified the defendant as Kane Cooper, 19, of 701 Gates Avenue, in Bedford-Stuyvesant, Brooklyn. He pleaded guilty yesterday to one count of first-degree assault before Brooklyn Supreme Court Justice Joseph Gubbay, who indicated he would sentence the defendant to 17 years in prison and five years’ post-release supervision. He set sentencing for June 8, 2015.

The District Attorney said that, according to the investigation, on May 31, 2013, the victim, Tayloni Mazyck, who was 11-years-old at the time, was sitting in front of her building at 600 Gates Avenue, in Bedford-Stuyvesant, with her mother and cousins, when she was struck by one of 10 bullets fired by Kane Cooper. The defendant was firing in the direction of several purported members of the ‘Gates Avenue Mafia,’ who were hanging out half-a-block away in front of 590 Gates Avenue.

Tayloni was struck by one bullet that lodged in her spine and left her paralyzed from the waist down.

The case was prosecuted by Assistant District Attorney Edward Carroll, Chief of the District Attorney’s Crime Strategies Unit

 

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Wednesday, May 6, 2015

 

Brooklyn Restaurant Owner Sentenced to One Year in Jail for Failing to Pay Employees

Fifteen workers from Edna’s Soul Food Restaurant to receive back pay

Brooklyn District Attorney Ken Thompson today announced that a man who owned Edna’s Soul Food Restaurant in Brownsville has been sentenced to one year in jail for failing to pay 15 employees including cashiers, fry cooks, servers, cleaners, delivery drivers and an assistant manager more than $17,000 in back wages.

District Attorney Thompson said, “This defendant brazenly stole the hard-earned money of his victims. Today’s sentence is a punishment for the defendant’s crimes and a warning for those who seek to cheat hardworking employees.”

The District Attorney said that the defendant, Earl Davis, 26, of 980 Bedford Avenue, in Bedford-Stuyvesant, pleaded guilty to one count of attempted scheme to defraud in the first-degree. The multiple companies he used to operate the business – Edna’s 1735 Pitkin Avenue, LLC D/B/A Edna’s Soul Food, ESF 2258 Atlantic Avenue, LLC D/B/A Edna’s Soul Food, and Edna’s Restaurant Group, Inc. D/B/A Edna’s Soul Food A/K/A Lang Rock Equity Partners – pleaded guilty to the top count of scheme to defraud in the first-degree.

The District Attorney said that, from October 2013 to July 2014, Davis employed at least 15 people to work at Edna’s Soul Food, a take-out and delivery restaurant located at 2258 Atlantic Avenue in Brownsville, Brooklyn, using the corporate identities Edna’s 1735 Pitkin Avenue LLC d/b/a Edna’s Soul Food, ESF 2258 Atlantic Avenue , LLC d/b/a Edna’s Soul Food, and Edna’s Restaurant Group, Inc. d/b/a Edna’s Soul Food a/k/a Lang Rock Equity Partners.

Davis served as the restaurant’s president and ran the day-to-day operations.

The District Attorney said that Davis promised to pay the workers $8 to $10 an hour to work as cashiers, fry cooks, servers, cleaners, delivery drivers, and as an assistant manager. When the defendants did pay the workers the defendants paid them in cash without pay stubs, gave the workers checks that bounced, confiscated the workers’ tips, refused to pay overtime, and ultimately failed to pay the workers all the wages owed to them for up to two months of work.

The District Attorney said that Davis told the workers he planned to open additional restaurants and that, if they continued to work for him, he would reward them with promotions and raises, as well as pay them back wages.

The District Attorney further stated that Davis was verbally abusive towards the workers and regularly argued with, yelled at, physically attacked, and fired workers who asked for their wages. Although the defendants refused to pay the workers all the wages owed to them, the workers saw defendant Davis take cash from the register on almost a daily basis.

This investigation was initiated by a call to the District Attorney’s Labor Frauds Unit Helpline. If you believe you have been a victim of Labor Fraud, such as wage theft or retaliation, please call our Labor Frauds Unit at 718-250-3770.

The case was investigated by Detective Investigator Kevin McAleese of the Brooklyn District Attorney’s Office, under the supervision of Supervising Detective Investigator Robert Addonizio and Richard Bellucci, Chief of the District Attorney’s Investigations Bureau.

The case was prosecuted by Assistant District Attorneys Joel Greenwald and Meredith McGowan, Deputy Chief of the District Attorney’s Labor Frauds Unit, under the supervision of Felice Sontupe, Chief of the District Attorney’s Frauds Bureau, and Executive Assistant District Attorney William E. Schaeffer, Chief of the District Attorney’s Investigations Division.

 

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Thursday, May 7, 2015

 

Long Island Man Sentenced to Four to 12 Years in Prison for Striking Minivan, Killing 9-Year-Old Girl and Injuring Two Other Passengers 

Defendant Rear-Ended Stopped Vehicle While Fleeing From Police And Driving With Suspended License in Canarsie

Brooklyn District Attorney Ken Thompson today announced that a Long Island man has been sentenced to four to 12 years in prison after pleading guilty to one count of second-degree manslaughter and two counts of second-degree assault for causing the death of a 9-year-old girl after rear-ending the van she was riding in and injuring two other passengers. The defendant had been fleeing from police at the time.

District Attorney Thompson said, “This defendant senselessly killed a 9-year-old little girl and seriously injured another young child and her mother by driving recklessly on the streets of Brooklyn. He should have never been behind the wheel in the first place. Every day that he serves in prison will be a reminder of the innocent young life that he’s destroyed.”

The District Attorney said that the defendant, Kenneth Palache, 63, of Huntington, in Suffolk County, L.I., was sentenced to an indeterminate term of four to 12 years in prison today by Brooklyn Supreme Court Justice Elizabeth Foley. The defendant pleaded guilty to one count of second-degree manslaughter and two counts of second-degree assault on April 14, 2015. He received four to 12 years on the manslaughter count and two years for each of the assaults; the judge ordered the sentences to run concurrent. The defendant faced a maximum of five to 15 years if convicted at trial.

The District Attorney said that, according to the investigation, on May 4, 2014, at approximately 4:40 p.m., the defendant, who was driving with a suspended license, ran a red light and collided with an SUV carrying a family of five, including three children, causing minor injuries to all, near the intersection of Foster Avenue and East 87^th Street. The defendant left the scene and was stopped by police about a mile away from the initial accident. He then sped away and struck another vehicle, after which he ran a red light on Remsen Avenue and Avenue M, going in excess of 50 miles per hour. He then struck a black Hyundai Elantra minivan stopped at a red light on Remsen Avenue and Avenue N.

Rebecca Ramnarine, 9, who was seated in the rear of the minivan, was pinned in the van and removed by emergency service workers. She was pronounced dead at a nearby hospital. The victim’s best friend, Faith Cummings, 11, who was seated next to her, was seriously injured, as was the driver of the van, Faith’s mother, Esther Cummings.

The case was prosecuted by Assistant District Attorney Gayle Dampf, Chief of the District Attorney’s Vehicular Crimes Unit and Assistant District Attorney Cary Fischer, Deputy Bureau Chief of the District Attorney’s Red Zone Trial Bureau, under the supervision of Assistant District Attorney Joseph Alexis, Bureau Chief.