Year: 2015

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Thursday, July 16, 2015

 

Two Brooklyn Men Convicted in Connection

With the Shooting Death of a 16-Month-Old Baby

Child in Stroller Struck in Head by Bullets Meant for His Dad

Brooklyn District Attorney Ken Thompson today announced that two Brooklyn men were convicted in connection with the 2013 murder of a 16-month-old boy who was shot while being pushed in a stroller by his father – the apparent target of the fatal gunfire.

District Attorney Thompson said, “The tragic death of this innocent baby is an example of the devastation gun violence can wreck on our communities. These defendants showed utter disregard for human life and we will be asking that each of them receives the maximum sentence.”

The District Attorney identified the defendants as Daquan Breland, 25, of 187 Riverdale Avenue in Brownsville, Brooklyn and Daquan Wright, 21, of 24 Chester Street in East New York, Brooklyn. Following a jury trial, Breland was convicted today of second-degree murder and second-degree criminal possession of a weapon; and Wright was convicted of the top count he was charged with, second-degree criminal possession of a weapon.

District Attorney Thompson said that, according to trial testimony, on September 1, 2013, at about 7:20 p.m., Wright handed a firearm to Breland, who fired several shots in the direction of Anthony Hennis who was pushing a stroller at the intersection of Bristol Street and Livonia Avenue in Brownsville, Brooklyn. The bullets struck 16-month-old Antiq Hennis in the head, killing him. Both defendants fled the state and were apprehended in Pennsylvania five days after the homicide.

The District Attorney said that an eyewitness testified at trial about seeing Wright handing the gun to Breland, who fired in the direction of Anthony Hennis, who was pushing his son Antiq in a stroller. A man who lived with Breland at the time testified that the defendant admitted to him shortly after the incident that he shot a rival, referring to the victim’s father by his nickname.

A jury convicted both defendants today following a trial in front of Brooklyn Supreme Court Justice Neil Firetog, who set sentencing for August 18, 2015.

Breland faces a maximum sentence of 25 years to life in prison and Wright faces a maximum sentence of 15 years in prison.

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

 

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Thursday, Friday 17, 2015

 

Brooklyn Man Convicted for Recklessly Killing Senior Citizen by

Punching Him, Causing Fall and Head Injury

Disoriented Victim, 69, Assaulted When He Mistakenly Tried to Open Defendant’s Front Door

Brooklyn District Attorney Ken Thompson today announced that a Bedford-Stuyvesant man was convicted of manslaughter and assault for a 2013 attack that caused the death of a 69-year-old cancer patient. The victim, apparently confused, attempted to enter a neighboring home, thinking it was his, when the defendant punched him twice and caused him to fall down a stoop and suffer a fatal head injury.

District Attorney Thompson said, “This defendant viciously attacked and killed an elderly neighbor who simply needed help.  He will now pay a steep price for his senseless acts of violence that took an innocent man’s life.”

The District Attorney identified the defendant as Vaughan Keith, 34, of 635 Halsey Street in Bedford-Stuyvesant, Brooklyn. He was convicted of the top counts of second-degree manslaughter and second-degree assault on Thursday, July 16, 2015, following a jury trial in front of Brooklyn Supreme Court Justice William Harrington, who set sentencing to August 3, 2015. The defendant faces a maximum sentence of five to 15 years in prison.

The District Attorney said that, according to trial testimony, Willie Davis, 69, suffered from cancer and diabetes – ailments that caused him to become confused and disoriented at times. On January 30, 2013, Davis, who resided at 631 Halsey Street, tried to use his home key to open the front door of 635 Halsey Street, a similar-looking building two doors away.

The defendant, who owned and lived in that building, confronted the victim, yelled at him and punched him in the face, according to witnesses who testified at trial. Davis staggered and held on to a rail. Keith then punched him a second time, causing him to tumble down the four-step stoop and hit his head on the concrete. The defendant then fled in his vehicle.

District Attorney Thompson said that a medical examiner testified that the victim suffered fractures to the orbital bones, skull, face, nose, and a hematoma to the head. He received emergency brain surgery at Kings County Hospital but succumbed to his injuries on July 1, 2013. The cause of death was ruled to be blunt trauma to the head.

The case was prosecuted by Assistant District Attorney Timothy Gough, Chief of the District Attorney’s Trial Bureau III, Grey Zone, and Assistant District Attorney Danielle Reddan.

 

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Thursday, July 21, 2015

 

Brooklyn Man Indicted For String of Gunpoint Home Invasions, Robberies and Burglaries

Defendant Allegedly Burglarized Numerous Apartments and Made Off With Banking Cards, Cash, Electronics and Other Valuables

Brooklyn District Attorney Ken Thompson today announced that a Brownsville man was indicted for allegedly carrying out a months-long string of home invasions, burglaries and robberies at gunpoint, which mostly targeted women in and around his neighborhood.

District Attorney Thompson said, “This defendant is accused of terrorizing several Brooklyn residents, violating the sanctity of their homes and robbing them of money and property. He is now going to be held accountable for each and every charged crime.”

The District Attorney identified the defendant as Lorenzo Chambers, 24, of 569 Osborn Street in Brownsville, Brooklyn. He was arraigned today in front of Brooklyn Supreme Court Justice William Miller on a 19-count indictment that includes five counts of first-degree robbery, three counts of first-degree burglary and related charges. The defendant faces up to 25 years in prison if convicted on the top count in which he is charged with.

District Attorney Thompson said that the indictment pertains to four early morning incidents dating back to May and June 2015. Chambers is also charged with possession of stolen property in connection to at least one additional burglary from February 2015.

On May 10, 2015, at about 3:45 a.m., the defendant approached a woman who was returning to her home on East 92^nd Street in Brownsville, according to the investigation. He allegedly brandished what appeared to be a pistol, forced the victim at gunpoint to give him her bank card and PIN number and fled.

On May 31, 2015, at about 2:30 a.m., the defendant allegedly broke into a house on Avenue L in Canarsie, Brooklyn and confronted the homeowner who was using her computer. She gave him cash, but he demanded more money and led her to the bedroom, where she was forced at gunpoint to hand over more cash as well a bank card and its PIN number, according to the indictment.

On June 12, 2015, at about 4:18 a.m., two sisters who were sleeping in their East 59^th Street home in East Flatbush, Brooklyn, allegedly awakened to find the defendant with what appeared to be a firearm. One of the women offered him a handbag and an iPad, but he demanded bank cards, the investigation found. He allegedly took her keys and other items before going to her sister’s bedroom. The defendant then allegedly demanded a chain that was on the woman’s neck and, when she refused, struck her with a guitar and fled.

On June 13, 2015, at about 6:55 a.m., a man entered his basement apartment on Tilden Avenue in East Flatbush and allegedly saw the defendant inside with a gun. He shut the door and yelled to a friend who was with him to flee. The friend spotted the defendant climbing over a backyard fence and then saw him riding away on a bicycle, pointing a gun in one hand while holding an Xbox gaming console that he stole from the apartment, according to the indictment.

The District Attorney said that footage of the defendant riding his bike was circulated in the Police Department and the media and that the victims of the June 13 incident identified the suspect in a photo array. On June 24, 2015, patrol officers who were familiar with the case observed Chambers and detained him.

Officers executed a search warrant on the defendant’s residence and recovered electronic equipment, jewelry and ladies’ handbags. The property included a tablet computer that was allegedly stolen during a residential burglary in February 2015.

The case is being prosecuted by Assistant District Attorney Lawrence Mottola and Assistant District Attorney Jonathan Glusband of the District Attorney’s Trial Bureau II – Blue Zone, under the supervision of Frances Weiner, Chief

 

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Thursday, July 21, 2015

 

Defendant Indicted For Assaulting Court Officers Following Guilty Verdict

Allegedly Head Butted One, Punched Another Following Conviction at Trial

Brooklyn District Attorney Ken Thompson today announced that a 19-year-old Brooklyn man was arraigned on a six-count indictment in which he is charged with second-degree assault and other charges for allegedly attacking two court officers in a Brooklyn courthouse after a jury found him guilty of  assaulting a man during a 2013 attempted robbery.

District Attorney Thompson said, “Contempt for the rule of law will not be tolerated here in Brooklyn. This defendant was allegedly out of control in the courthouse and has now compounded his problems with another felony indictment.”

The District Attorney identified the defendant as Dante Newman, 19, of East Flatbush, Brooklyn. He is named in a six-count indictment in which he is charged with four counts of second-degree assault and two counts of third-degree assault. The defendant was arraigned today before Brooklyn Supreme Court Justice William Miller. If convicted, he faces up to seven years in prison on each of the top two counts.

Earlier today, the defendant was sentenced to 40 years in prison by Brooklyn Supreme Court Justice Vincent Del Giudice following his June 25, 2015 conviction on first-degree assault, first-degree robbery and other charges. The defendant’s brother, Treyvon Newman, 20, who was convicted in that same case, was also sentenced to 40 years in prison.

The District Attorney said that, according to the investigation, on June 25, 2015, Dante Newman and his brother, Treyvon Newman, were convicted of first-degree assault, first-degree robbery and other charges following a jury trial in connection with an incident on March 16, 2013, in which they tried to rob a 27-year-old man after he was lured to a building in the 67^th precinct.

When the victim arrived at the building, according to trial testimony, he spotted the defendants and fled. The defendants gave chase and Dante Newman fired a shotgun, striking the victim in the arm. The defendants were arrested shortly thereafter in North Carolina.

The District Attorney said that, after the verdict in their trial was read in open court and they were both found guilty, Dante Newman allegedly assaulted two court officers after being removed from the courtroom. He allegedly butted one officer in the head and, later, punched a second officer. Both officers were treated at New York University Langone Cobble Hill and released.

The case is being prosecuted by Assistant District Attorney Natalie Pagano of the District Attorney’s Blue Zone Trial Bureau, under the supervision of Fran S. Weiner, Bureau Chief. The underlying assault case was prosecuted by Assistant District Attorney Sabeeha Madni, formerly of the Blue Zone.

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

 

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Thursday, July 23, 2015

 

Four Defendants Charged With Alleged Narcotics Trafficking Following

Undercover Investigation at Cooper Park Houses in Greenpoint

Approximately 58 Undercover Buys Made During Course of Five-Month Operation

Brooklyn District Attorney Ken Thompson, together with New York City Police Commissioner William J. Bratton, today announced that four alleged drug dealers have been charged in connection with allegedly selling crack cocaine, heroin and marijuana to undercover officers over the past five months during an anti-drug initiative at the Cooper Park Housing Development in Greenpoint. In addition, a quantity of heroin, crack and cash was recovered.

District Attorney Thompson said, “This joint operation with the NYPD once again underscores our determination to protect the law-abiding residents of public housing developments from drug dealers, gang members and other criminals who threaten their safety and well-being.”

Commissioner Bratton said, “This investigation is another example of the NYPD working in partnership with the Brooklyn District Attorney to ensure the safety and quality of life for residents living in public housing. I would like to thank the investigators of Narcotics Borough Brooklyn North and the prosecutors involved in this case whose swift efforts resulted in holding these alleged narcotics traffickers accountable for their actions.”

The investigation began in February 2015 following community complaints about narcotics trafficking and violence in and around the Cooper Park Housing Development located in Greenpoint. The Cooper Houses, which is part of the New York City Housing Authority, consists of 11 seven-story buildings with 700 apartments. The development is bordered by Frost and Jackson Streets, and Morgan, Kingsland and Maspeth Avenues.

Over the course of the investigation, undercover officers made approximately 58 buys, including 32 buys of crack cocaine, 25 buys of heroin and 1 buy of marijuana. Police recovered 157 glassines of heroin, 29 capsules of crack cocaine, 29 twists of crack-cocaine and three ziplock bags of marijuana from the defendants when they were arrested.

Four of the defendants were arraigned last night on criminal complaints in Brooklyn Criminal Court and two were arraigned today on indictments in Brooklyn Supreme Court.

The defendants are variously charged with 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 Detectives Michael Algieri and William Warren 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:

Leequan Herrington, dob: 12-12-95, 82 Dwight Street, Brooklyn, NY. Charged with criminal sale of a controlled substance in the third-degree (9 counts); criminal possession of a controlled substance in the third-degree (9 counts); criminal possession of a controlled substance in the seventh-degree (1 count). Harrington was arraigned last night and ordered held on $50,000 bond or $25,000 cash.

Harold Saunders, dob: 9-12-86, 2182 Pitkin Avenue, Brooklyn, NY. Charged with 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). Saunders was arraigned last night and ordered held on $30,000 bond or $15,000 cash.

Rakwan Williams, dob: 4-22-91, 295 Jackson Street, Brooklyn, NY. Charged with 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). Williams was arraigned last night and ordered held on $20,000 bond or $10,000 cash.

Tyquan Williams, dob: 7-31-95, 619 Rockaway Avenue, Brooklyn, NY. Charged with criminal sale of a controlled substance in the third-degree (3 counts); criminal possession of a controlled substance in the third-degree (3 counts); criminal possession of a controlled substance in the seventh-degree (1 count); criminal sale of marihuana in the fourth-degree (1 count). Williams was arraigned last night and ordered held on $30,000 bond or $15,000 cash.

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

 

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Wednesday, July 29, 2015

 

Brooklyn Man Sentenced to 25 Years to Life for
Fatally Shooting His Close Friend

Fired at Victim Six Times, Thinking He’s Romantically Involved With Defendant’s Sister

Brooklyn District Attorney Ken Thompson today announced that a 25-year-old Coney Island man was sentenced to 25 years to life in prison for fatally shooting his good friend in 2013 because he believed the victim was romantically involved with his sister.

District Attorney Thompson said, “This defendant senselessly took the life of a close friend.  He will now have many years in a prison cell to reckon with the terribly poor choice that he made.”

The District Attorney identified the defendant as Johnny Velez-Garriga, 25, of 2925 West 27^th Street in Coney Island, Brooklyn. He was sentenced today to the maximum sentence of 25 years to life in prison by Brooklyn Supreme Court Justice Neil Firetog following his conviction on June 18, 2015 on one count of second-degree murder and one count of second-degree criminal possession of a weapon after a jury trial.

The District Attorney said that, according to trial testimony, on December 26, 2013 at approximately 9:30 p.m., the defendant shot Shawn White, 25, six times inside of 2925 West 27^th Street, killing him.

Velez-Garriga, who was a friend of the victim for years, came to believe that White was having a romantic relationship with the defendant’s sister, having seen him being let into an apartment the defendant shared with his sister late the night before. On the day of the homicide, he encountered his sister and the victim in the defendant’s building.  White tried to tell the defendant that he would never disrespect him, but the defendant walked off to his apartment. According to testimony by his sister, Velez-Garriga then emerged from his apartment with a firearm, yelled at her, “You violated me” and opened fire at the victim, who tried to run away.

District Attorney Thompson said that White was found on fourth-floor stairway with mortal gunshot wounds to his torso, leg and buttocks. A jury returned a guilty verdict in less than an hour.

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

 

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Thursday, July 30, 2015

 

Bronx Woman Sentenced to 25 Years in Prison for Fatally Stabbing Ex-Boyfriend in Dispute Over Payment for Sexual Favors

Victim Stabbed More Than 60 Times During Struggle in His Brooklyn Apartment

Brooklyn District Attorney Ken Thompson today announced that a 47-year-old Bronx woman was sentenced to 25 years in prison for the 2011 death of her ex-boyfriend whom she stabbed repeatedly during a fight inside his Prospect-Lefferts Gardens apartment.

District Attorney Thompson said, “This defendant repeatedly stabbed a man she knew for most of her life and left him bleeding to death.  The long prison sentence she got fit the horrible crime that she committed.”

The District Attorney identified the defendant as Esmerilda Morales, 47, of 1755 Weeks Avenue in the Bronx. She was sentenced today by Brooklyn Supreme Court Justice Matthew D’Emic to 25 years in prison and five years of post-release supervision following her guilty plea to first-degree manslaughter, which was entered on July 16, 2015. She waived her right to appeal as part of the plea.

The District Attorney said that, according to the investigation, the defendant knew the victim, 53-year-old Melvin Vargas, since she was 16 and the two had been involved in a sporadic romantic relationship years ago. They remained in contact and had an arrangement under which the defendant would engage in sexual activity with the victim for money.

On December 21, 2011, at about 7 p.m., Morales visited Vargas at his sixth-floor apartment on 25 Lefferts Avenue, in Prospect-Lefferts Gardens, Brooklyn. According to the defendant’s statements, she was paid $150 in exchange for a sexual act. Vargas then offered her $300 to engage in another sex act and later refused to pay. The defendant told detectives that an argument ensued, that the two fought over a kitchen knife and that she stabbed the victim.

District Attorney Thompson said Vargas was discovered the next day by his brother and his building’s superintendent. He sustained over 60 stab wounds to his body and died as a result of blood loss. The apartment was ransacked with property strewn throughout and some belongings thrown out a window to the backyard. A knife was also recovered in the apartment.

The District Attorney said that, according to the investigation, at about 2:30 a.m. on December 22, 2011, the defendant was captured by security cameras in the lobby of the victim’s building with boxes, bags and luggage that were taken from his apartment. She then hailed a taxi, loaded the items and arrived at a Bronx apartment that she shared with her boyfriend.

The victim’s license and credit cards were recovered at the defendant’s home pursuant to a search warrant. She was arrested and made statements to detectives. She was subsequently taken to a hospital for detox treatment.

The case was prosecuted by Assistant District Attorney Cynthia Lynch, of the District Attorney’s Domestic Violence Bureau, under the supervision of Michelle Kaminsky, Chief.

 

 

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Thursday, July 30, 2015

 

Driver Indicted for Recklessly Killing His Girlfriend by Allegedly
Speeding, Blowing a Red Light and Crashing Into Parked Cars

One-Car Wreck Was Caught on Video; Victim Ejected from Passenger Seat

Brooklyn District Attorney Ken Thompson today announced that a 20-year-old Brooklyn man was indicted for recklessly killing his girlfriend in a car crash last month when he drove through a steady red light – going the wrong way at approximately 60 mph in a 25 mph zone – and crashed into parked cars after swerving to avoid an oncoming vehicle.

District Attorney Thompson said, “This defendant flouted many traffic laws and ignored all safety rules when he caused a young woman’s death and endangered other drivers that morning. He now faces serious charges, which demonstrate that my office will vigorously prosecute reckless motorists who kill or cause injury.”

The District Attorney identified the defendant as Brandon Craigwell, 20, of 278 East 40^th Street in East Flatbush, Brooklyn. He was indicted on charges of second-degree manslaughter, criminally negligent homicide, first-degree reckless endangerment, reckless driving and related counts. The defendant faces a maximum sentence of five to 15 years in prison if convicted of the top count. He was arrested on July 23, 2015 and is being held on $15,000 cash bail or $30,000 bond. The indictment was filed in Brooklyn Supreme Court today and the defendant will be arraigned at a later date.

The District Attorney said that, according to the investigation, at approximately 3:53 a.m., on June 2, 2015, in the vicinity of 822 Saint John’s Place in Crown Heights, Brooklyn, the defendant was behind the wheel of a 1994 Honda Civic when he ran a red light, driving eastbound between 53 to 63 mph in a 25 mph zone. He allegedly crossed a double yellow line in the two-way road, which was wet due to rainy conditions, swerved to avoid an oncoming vehicle and caused his car to then bounce off multiple parked cars. His girlfriend, 20-year-old Shana-Kayes Khans, who was in the passenger seat, was ejected from the Honda as it came to a stop and sustained fatal injuries.

District Attorney Thompson said that the incident was captured by several video surveillance cameras. Police officers responded to the scene within minutes and observed the victim lying face down on the street. She was pronounced dead at Kings County Hospital about 30 minutes later. The medical examiner ruled the cause of death as blunt force trauma to the head and torso with internal injuries.

The investigation was conducted by Detective Edward Behringer and Detective Robert Saporito of the New York City Police Department’s Highway Division, Collision Investigation Squad.

The case is being prosecuted by Assistant District Attorney Seth Goldman of the District Attorney’s Trial Bureau V, Orange Zone, with assistance from Assistant District Attorney Craig Esswein and Assistant District Attorney Gayle Dampf of the District Attorney’s Vehicular Crimes Bureau, under the supervision of Thomas Ridges, Orange Zone Chief.    

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

 

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Thursday, August 6, 2015

 

Fifteen Defendants Charged with Narcotics Trafficking in Flatbush;
One Man Additionally Charged with Murder for Shooting Death in July
Believed to be in Retaliation for Earlier Gunshot Murder

Approximately 100 Drug Buys Made During Course of Operation;
Handgun, Quantity of Narcotics Recovered During Execution of Search Warrants

Brooklyn District Attorney Ken Thompson, together with New York City Police Commissioner William J. Bratton, today announced that 15 people have been arrested on drug trafficking and other charges in connection with allegedly selling crack cocaine, heroin and marijuana to undercover officers over the past year during an anti-drug initiative in Flatbush, Brooklyn.

The District Attorney said that one of the alleged drug dealers, Oshane Fyffe, 18, is also charged with the July 15, 2015, shooting death of Abetonji Ajakaye, 25, in the vicinity of East 17^th Street and Newkirk Avenue. Fyffe is believed to have shot the victim in retaliation for a July 13, 2015, incident in which Migly Jean-Jacquez, 18, allegedly shot and killed Harold Abadia Sandoval, 21, in the vicinity of East 21^st Street and Newkirk Avenue. Jean-Jacquez was arrested on July 31, 2015 and is charged with second-degree murder and two counts of second-degree criminal possession of a weapon.

District Attorney Thompson said, “These arrests underscore our determination to reclaim our streets from drug dealers and other criminals who endanger the safety and degrade the quality of life of our communities. Gun-related street violence puts everyone at risk and has left two young men dead.”

Commissioner Bratton said, “I want to thank the NYPD’s Brooklyn South Narcotics Division and the Brooklyn District Attorney’s Office for working together to remove these drug dealers from our streets. The NYPD remains committed to working with our law enforcement partners to stop the flow of illegal narcotics into our city.”

The investigation began in August 2014 following community complaints about narcotics trafficking and violence within the confines of the 67^th and 70^th Precincts in Flatbush. Specifically, the investigation focused on a several block radius from Bedford Avenue to East 21^st Street and Foster Avenue to Ditmas Avenue.

Over the course of the investigation, undercover officers made approximately 100 buys of crack cocaine, heroin and marijuana. Police recovered a 9 mm Beretta, as well as a quantity of crack cocaine, marijuana, heroin, and drug paraphernalia during the execution of search warrants yesterday.

The defendants are presently awaiting arraignment on multiple criminal complaints in Brooklyn Criminal Court. They are variously charged with conspiracy in the fourth-degree, a class E felony, punishable by up to four 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 nine years in prison; criminal possession of a controlled substance in the seventh-degree, an A misdemeanor punishable by up to one year in jail; criminal sale of marihuana in the fourth-degree, an A misdemeanor punishable by up to one year in jail; and unlawful possession of marihuana, a violation punishable by up to 15 days in jail.

The investigation was conducted by New York City Police Department Detective Jeremy Demarco of Narcotics Borough Brooklyn South, under the supervision of Lieutenant Frankie Rivera.

The narcotics case is being prosecuted by Assistant District Attorney Adam Uris, of the District Attorney’s Violent Criminal Enterprises Bureau, under the supervision of Assistant District Attorney Jonathan R. Sennett, Deputy Bureau Chief and Nicole Chavis, Bureau Chief, and the overall supervision of Executive Assistant District Attorney William E. Schaeffer, Chief of the Investigations Division.

ADA Sennett is prosecuting Oshane Fyffe for the July 15, 2015, murder of Abetonji Ajakaye.

Senior Assistant District Attorney Lewis Lieberman, of the District Attorney’s Homicide Bureau, is prosecuting Migly Jean-Jacquez for the July 13, 2015, murder of Harold Abadia Sandoval, under the supervision of Deputy District Attorney Kenneth M. Taub, Chief of the Homicide Bureau.

Defendant Addendum:

Barbara Capers, dob: 9-21-56, 2215 Newkirk Avenue, Brooklyn, NY. Charged with criminal sale of a controlled substance in the third-degree (11 counts); criminal possession of a controlled substance in the third-degree (11 counts); criminal possession of a controlled substance in the seventh-degree (1 count); and conspiracy in the fourth-degree (1 count).

Egobeda James, dob: 10-31-79, 529 East 22^nd Street, Brooklyn, NY. Charged with criminal sale of a controlled substance in the third-degree (4 counts); criminal possession of a controlled substance in the third-degree (4 counts); criminal possession of a controlled substance in the seventh-degree (1 count); and conspiracy in the fourth-degree (1 count).

Hayden Flemming, dob: 12-10-82, 2328 Newkirk Avenue, Brooklyn, NY. Charged with 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 conspiracy in the fourth-degree (1 count).

Walter Stewart, dob: 3-11-69, 2336 Newkirk Avenue, Brooklyn, NY. Charged with criminal sale of a controlled substance in the third-degree (9 counts); criminal possession of a controlled substance in the third-degree (9 counts); criminal possession of a controlled substance in the seventh-degree (1 count); and conspiracy in the fourth-degree (1 count).

Jeffrey Raymond, dob: 7-15-88, 529 East 22^nd Street, Brooklyn, NY. Charged with criminal sale of a controlled substance in the third-degree (4 counts); criminal possession of a controlled substance in the third-degree (4 counts); criminal possession of a controlled substance in the seventh-degree (2 counts); and conspiracy in the fourth-degree (2 counts). 

Thomas Jones, dob: 9-6-84, 529 East 22^nd Street, Brooklyn, NY. Charged with 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 conspiracy in the fourth-degree (1 count).

Shawn Hazel, dob: 3-2-97, 401 East 23^rd Street, Brooklyn, NY. Charged with criminal sale of a controlled substance in the third-degree (8 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); and conspiracy in the fourth-degree (1 count).

Oshane Fyffe, dob: 11-4-96, 611 East 21^st Street, Brooklyn, NY. Charged with murder in the second-degree (1 count) and criminal possession of a weapon (1 count); criminal sale of a controlled substance in the third-degree (9 counts); criminal possession of a controlled substance in the third-degree (9 counts); criminal possession of a controlled substance in the seventh-degree (1 count); and conspiracy in the fourth-degree (1 count).

Rayshawn Jones, dob: 12-4-89, 905 East 38^th Street, Brooklyn, NY. Charged with criminal sale of marihuana in the fourth-degree (4 counts); and unlawful possession of marihuana (4 counts).

Nancy Negron aka Lebron, dob: 8-4-80, 2115 Newkirk Avenue, Brooklyn, NY. Charged with criminal sale of a controlled substance in the third-degree (2 counts); criminal possession of a controlled substance in the third-degree (2 counts); and criminal possession of a controlled substance in the seventh degree (2 counts).

Paolo Alfaro-Barber, dob: 7-28-91, 1333 Flatbush Avenue, Brooklyn, NY. Charged with criminal sale of a controlled substance in the third-degree (1 count); criminal possession of a controlled substance in the third-degree (2 counts); and criminal possession of a controlled substance in the seventh-degree (2 counts).

Sheldon Flemming, dob: 12-9-76, 2328 Newkirk Avenue, Brooklyn, NY. Charged with criminal possession of a controlled substance in the third-degree (1 count); criminal possession of a controlled substance in the seventh-degree (1 count); and criminally using drug paraphernalia in the second-degree (1 count).

Jasmine Luzicourt, dob: 7-24-97, 529 East 22^nd Street, Brooklyn, NY. Charged with criminal possession of a firearm (1 count); criminal possession of a weapon in the fourth-degree (1 count); and criminal possession of a controlled substance in the seventh-degree (2 counts).

Jermaine Luzincourt, dob: 7-29-88, 529 East 22^nd Street, Brooklyn, NY. Charged with criminal possession of a firearm (1 count); criminal possession of a weapon in the fourth-degree (1 count); and criminal possession of a controlled substance in the seventh-degree (2 counts).

Rafael Marrero, dob: 5-2-68, 2604 Bedford Avenue, Brooklyn, NY. Charged with criminal sale of a controlled substance in the third-degree (2 counts); criminal possession of a controlled substance in the third-degree (2 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
Friday, August 7, 2015

 

Former Manager Sentenced For Stealing $120,000 From Pitkin Avenue Modell Pawnbrokers

Defendant Admitted He Stole Cash From Safe To Pay Debts

Brooklyn District Attorney Ken Thompson today announced that a 35-year-old Brooklyn man has been sentenced for stealing $120,000 from a Brownsville branch of Modell pawn shops, where he worked as a manager. The defendant said he took the money to pay off debts. He was sentenced to six months of weekends in jail and there was a full order of restitution filed against him.

District Attorney Thompson said, “We intend to make sure that the defendant pays back every dime that he stole from his employer and also serves jail time for his criminal conduct.”

The District Attorney identified the defendant as Timmy Harrison, 35, of Ryder Street, in Flatlands. The defendant pleaded guilty before Brooklyn Supreme Court Justice Danny Chun on May 26, 2015, to one count of fourth-degree grand larceny. He was sentenced today to six months of weekends in jail and signed a judgment for a full order of restitution.

The District Attorney said that, according to the investigation, the defendant had been employed at the Pitkin Avenue Modell Pawnbrokers since May 2010. As manager of that location, he was responsible for all cash and had exclusive access to certain secured areas of the branch. In August 2014, owner Eric Modell became aware of financial irregularities in the Pitkin Avenue location and sent the Director of Security to investigate. He found that approximately $123,000 cash was missing from the location and confronted the defendant, who admitted taking $120,000 cash without permission. The District Attorney’s office was then notified of the theft.

The case was prosecuted by Assistant District Attorney Pamela Murray of the District Attorney’s Frauds Bureau, under the supervision of Assistant District Attorney Felice Sontupe, Chief of the Frauds Bureau, and the overall supervision of Executive Assistant District Attorney William E. Schaeffer, Chief of the District Attorney’s Investigations Division.

 

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