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Tuesday, March 3, 2026

Police Cadet Indicted for Allegedly Raping
17-Year-Old Girl He Met Online

Accused of Deceiving Teen About His Age Before Assault

Brooklyn District Attorney Eric Gonzalez today announced that a New York City Police Cadet has been arraigned on an indictment in which he is charged with rape and related sex offenses for allegedly engaging in sexual intercourse and other sexual contact with a 17-year-old girl without her consent after meeting her through a dating app.

District Attorney Gonzalez said, “This defendant is accused of lying about his age, arranging to meet a teenager and then assaulting her when she rebuffed him. The alleged conduct is disturbing and completely unacceptable, especially from someone seeking a career in law enforcement. We will now work to hold him accountable.”

The District Attorney identified the defendant as Ahmed Elnahtawy, 24, assigned to the NYPD’s Police Academy. He was arraigned today before Brooklyn Supreme Court Justice Donald Leo on an indictment in which he is charged with third-degree rape, third-degree sexual abuse, forcible touching and sexual misconduct. He was ordered held on bail of $50,000 cash or bond and to return to court on May 1, 2026.

The District Attorney said that, according to the investigation, on November 30, 2025, the defendant and the victim connected through a dating app, where he allegedly misrepresented his age. The two later communicated on Instagram and arranged to meet at the victim’s residence in Flatbush.

It is alleged that, during that encounter, the defendant engaged in sexual intercourse and other sexual contact with the victim without her consent. On December 5, 2025, the victim disclosed the alleged abuse to a school guidance counselor and subsequently reported it to police.

The case was investigated by detectives assigned to the New York City Police Department’s Internal Affairs Bureau.

The case is being prosecuted by Assistant District Attorney Christina Oddo, of the District Attorney’s Special Victims Bureau, under the supervision of Assistant District Attorney Miss Gregory, Bureau Chief.

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

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Tuesday, March 3, 2026

NYPD Officer Indicted for Rape and Sexual Abuse of
Woman After Brooklyn Party

Officer Allegedly Ignored Victim’s Repeated Pleas to Stop

Brooklyn District Attorney Eric Gonzalez today announced that a New York City Police Officer has been arraigned on an indictment in which he is charged with rape and related sex offenses for allegedly engaging in sexual intercourse with a woman without her consent following a party in Brooklyn.

District Attorney Gonzalez said, “This defendant is accused of raping a woman who repeatedly told him to stop, and we will seek to hold him fully accountable. No one is above the law, especially those who are sworn to uphold it. I am grateful to the victim for her cooperation and to the NYPD for their thorough investigation.”

The District Attorney identified the defendant as Daheem Morris, 27, formerly assigned to the 73rd Precinct in Brownsville, Brooklyn and most recently to Police Service Area 1, which patrols New York City Housing Authority developments within Brooklyn. He was arraigned today before Brooklyn Supreme Court Justice Donald Leo on an indictment in which he is charged with third-degree rape, third-degree sexual abuse, forcible touching and sexual misconduct. He was released without bail and ordered to return to court on May 8, 2026.

The District Attorney said that, according to the investigation, on September 28, 2025, the defendant and victim, who had known each other for approximately two years and shared mutual friends, attended the same party.

Following the gathering, the victim was allegedly alone in a vehicle with the defendant. It is alleged that the defendant engaged in sexual intercourse with the victim while she repeatedly told him to stop and attempted to push him away.

The victim disclosed the incident to her cousin later that same day, and the case was investigated by detectives assigned to the New York City Police Department’s Internal Affairs Bureau.

The case is being prosecuted by Assistant District Attorney Christina Oddo, of the District Attorney’s Special Victims Bureau, under the supervision of Assistant District Attorney Miss Gregory, Bureau Chief.

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

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Wednesday, Feb 25, 2026

Brooklyn Financial Advisor Indicted for Allegedly Stealing
Approximately $852,000 from Five Clients in Ponzi Scheme

Allegedly Promised High Returns on Business Investments,
Used Stolen Funds to Pay for Personal Expenses, and to Make Payments to Other Victims

Brooklyn District Attorney Eric Gonzalez today announced that a licensed Brooklyn financial advisor has been arraigned on an indictment charging him with stealing approximately $852,000 from five people to whom he issued promissory notes with high rates of return.

The defendant was charged in a separate indictment in March 2025 with stealing approximately $1.24 million from 10 victims in a similar scheme, issuing them promissory notes promising high rates of return. That case is still pending.

District Attorney Gonzalez said, “This indictment alleges that the defendant carried out a classic Ponzi scheme, exploiting his professional credentials and client relationships to steal hundreds of thousands of dollars. As charged, he issued promissory notes promising extraordinary returns, diverted investor funds for personal expenses, and used money from new victims to make payments to earlier ones. This alleged conduct reflects a calculated abuse of trust that we will prosecute vigorously. My office remains committed to holding accountable those who engage in financial fraud.”

The District Attorney identified the defendant as Marat Likhtenstein, 65, of Sheepshead Bay, Brooklyn. He was arraigned today before Brooklyn Supreme Court Justice Danny Chun on a 10-count indictment in which he is charged with three counts of second-degree grand larceny, two counts of third-degree grand larceny, and five counts of violating General Business Law Section 352-C (6). The defendant was released without bail and ordered to return to court on April 22, 2026.

The District Attorney said that, between October 28, 2022 and February 5, 2026, the defendant allegedly operated a fraudulent scheme using promissory notes to induce individuals to invest in purported business opportunities. He allegedly claimed he could not discuss the details of the business opportunities with the investors but promised to pay them various rates of return including as high as 30 percent interest pursuant to the notes.

Specifically, the District Attorney said, the defendant is accused of stealing $378,500 from a 46-year-old man, $325,000 from a 69-year-old man, $79,000 from a different 46-year-old man, $37,100 from a 68-year-old woman, and $32,400 from a 68-year-old man. All of the victims are from Brooklyn.

Furthermore, it is alleged, instead of investing the funds in business opportunities, the defendant used the money for personal expenses and to make partial payments to earlier victims of the Ponzi scheme.

At the time of the alleged scheme the defendant was a FINRA-licensed financial advisor and a New York State licensed insurance agent registered to sell securities and insurance products through Likhtenstein Financial Planning Inc. His office was located on Avenue V in Sheepshead Bay, Brooklyn. The investigation began following a complaint to the District Attorney’s Action Center.

People who believe they have been victimized by this defendant are encouraged to contact the Brooklyn District Attorney’s Action Center at 718-250-2340 or to send an email to LikhtensteinComplaints@brooklynda.org.

Chief Financial Investigator Ludwig Sanchez and Financial Investigator Jose Carlos Covas, of the District Attorney’s Asset Forfeiture and Crimes Against Revenue Bureau, Intelligence Analyst Veranika Basak, of the District Attorney’s Investigations Division, and KCDA Detective Investigators all assisted in the investigation.

The case is being prosecuted by Senior Investigative Assistant District Attorney Daniel Tibbets, of the Investigations Division, under the supervision of Assistant District Attorney Michel Spanakos, Deputy Chief of the Investigations Division, and Assistant District Attorney Patricia McNeill, Chief of the Investigations Division.

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

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Wednesday, December 31, 2025

Brooklyn Finishes 2025 with Fewest Murders, Shootings,

Shooting Victims and Shooting Homicides in Recorded History

Homicides Dropped by 24%, Shootings by 15% and Victims by 11%;
Achievement Punctuates 5-Year Trend of Declines in All Gun Violence Categories

Brooklyn District Attorney Eric Gonzalez today announced that 2025 was the safest year in Brooklyn’s history, with record-lows in homicides and shooting homicides, both dropping precipitously by about 25%. Shooting incidents and shooting victims also dipped to new lows, dropping 15% and 11% respectively, improving on last year’s records. Brooklyn was the only borough where these four categories decreased year after year since peaking in 2020.  

District Attorney Gonzalez said, “Brooklyn’s record-low homicides and gun violence prove that community engagement, fairness, and trust make neighborhoods safer. By listening to residents, holding the most dangerous offenders accountable, and breaking cycles of violence, we are showing that safety comes from partnership, not vilifying our neighbors. I am confident that we can continue this encouraging trend into the new year.”

The historic decline in gun violence in Brooklyn over the past five years, and especially this past year, is nothing short of remarkable. Bringing murders and shootings to lows never seen in the modern history of our borough is proof of the success of our holistic approach that includes partnerships between communities and law enforcement, strong enforcement, preventative programs, investments in the latest technology and offering second chances when appropriate., and I intend to keep up the progress we’ve made in other areas, such as retail theft and combatting fraud.”

The District Attorney said that there were 91 murders in Brooklyn over the past year, a 24% decline from the 120 last year (beating the previous low of 98, recorded in 2018). Shooting homicides plummeted by 25% to 47 from 63 in 2024 (the previous low of 58 was recorded in 2017 and 2019). After reaching historic lows last year, shootings and shooting victims continued to decrease with 244 shooting incidents (43 or 15% fewer than last year) and 307 victims (40 or 11% fewer). Since 2020, when violence rose to levels not seen in a decade amid a global pandemic and social strife, homicides dropped by 48%, shootings by 63% and shooting victims by 62%. Brooklyn is the only borough in the city where these categories went down every year over that span.

Gun violence in 2025 declined even more significantly in and around housing developments across the borough, with a 41% decline in homicides, 31% in shootings and 32% in shooting incidents. During 2025, there were three stretches of 17 days without a single homicide in Brooklyn (population: about 2.8 million) and two nine-day periods without a single shooting victim.

The biggest decline in homicides took place in Brownsville, which had seven murders compared to 21 the previous year, a whopping 67% plunge. In Crown Heights, there were five homicides compared to 12 (58% decline) and in Bensonhurst there were none after six murders the year before. Other precincts with no homicides for the year were in Bay Ridge, Borough Park and Greenpoint. The largest reductions in shootings were seen in Crown Heights (46%), Brownsville (34%) and East New York (31%).

In addition, arrests for retail theft dropped by nearly 20% (largest among all boroughs), following the implementation of an enforcement program against recidivists in cooperation with major retailers. Brooklyn also led the city in percentage decline in burglaries (8.6%). Other noted reductions included hate crimes (down 10.8%) auto theft (10.6%) and robberies (5.4%).

[All stats are based on the NYPD’s Compstat report as of today.]

The District Attorney said that there were 133 trials in Supreme Court this year, leading to 135 verdicts – 115 were convictions for an 85% conviction rate. A notable trial resulted in one of the lengthiest sentences for a deed fraud scheme, with seven years in prison plus the return of 11 properties stolen by the defendant. The Violent Criminal Enterprises Bureau, together with the NYPD, brought down two gangs in separate long-term investigations involving numerous shootings, including fatal ones. The Virtual Currency Unit continued its work protecting residents from devastating financial scams, including the indictment of a Brooklyn man for stealing over $15 million in cryptocurrency and the freezing of hundreds of thousands in stolen funds (its Chief was described by the Economist magazine as “one of a handful of people in America trying to get scammed money back”).

In the community, the District Attorney’s Office hosted over 30 community events, including crime prevention seminars, food and toys giveaways, holiday celebrations and more. During two gun buyback events, over 350 firearms were turned in and are now off the streets. And the office relaunched Project Restore which will attempt to reach gang-involved youth at an early stage and provide them with resources and support.

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Wednesday, December 24, 2025

Brighton Beach Mother and Daughter Indicted for

Labor and Sex Trafficking in Massage Parlors

Defendants Allegedly Forced Victim to Engage in
Sexual Conduct with Customers in Gravesend and Midwood

Brooklyn District Attorney Eric Gonzalez today announced that two women, a mother and daughter, have been arraigned on an indictment in which they are charged with sex trafficking, labor trafficking, promoting prostitution, and related charges for allegedly forcing a woman to engage in sexual conduct for money and promoting the prostitution of another woman.

District Attorney Gonzalez said, “These defendants allegedly coerced and abused a vulnerable woman during a difficult time in her life, while running multiple illicit massage parlors in numerous locations in Brooklyn. I am fully committed to investigating and prosecuting this type of abhorrent trafficking, to protect victims and to fight against all exploitation of women.”

The District Attorney identified the defendants as Taya Benayun, 59, and Vladilina Benaun, 37, of Brighton Beach, Brooklyn. They were arraigned today before Brooklyn Supreme Court Justice Adam Perlmutter on a nine-count indictment in which they are charged with sex trafficking, labor trafficking, third- and fourth-degree promoting prostitution, and permitting prostitution. They were each ordered held on bail of $150,000 cash or $300,000 bond and to return to court on February 11, 2026.

The District Attorney said the investigation began following a series of community complaints regarding an alleged illicit massage parlor located at 2281 McDonald Avenue in Gravesend.

The District Attorney said that, according to the investigation, one of the victims, a 23- year-old woman, needed to raise money for her ill father and was referred to the defendants by a friend in January 2024. She was allegedly forced to work from 11 a.m. to 1 a.m. six days a week and required to split her earnings from engaging in sexual conduct 50/50 with the defendants. The victim worked out of alleged massage parlors run by the defendants at 2281 McDonald Avenue and 1204 Coney Island Avenue.

The victim’s father died in June 2024, and after that the victim became ill and could not work. While she was in the hospital recovering, it is alleged, the defendants called and texted her incessantly and threatened to report her to the authorities. They also allegedly threatened her and a friend of hers with physical violence. The victim eventually returned to work because of the alleged threats and was afraid to leave.

Furthermore, it is alleged, in February 2025, a second victim, a 20-year-old woman, responded to an advertisement the defendants allegedly placed for a massage parlor employee on RusRek.com, the digital version of Russkaya Reklama, a Russian language newspaper. The victim worked three days a week and could choose her schedule. The financial split, however, was the same 50/50. She also told police that she worked at 1204 Coney Island Avenue and 2359 Coney Island Avenue, and that multiple women worked at both locations. She also alleged that the locations had multiple internal and external surveillance cameras so that their activity could be monitored at all times.

The case investigation was led by Police Officer Konstantin Lyubinsky, of the New York City Police Department Brooklyn Vice Enforcement Division, under the supervision of Sergeant Brian Gribbin and Lieutenant Ewa Lapinska, and the overall supervision of Deputy Inspector Stanislav Levitsky.

The District Attorney thanked Human Trafficking Unit Social Worker Raquel Alger, Office Manager Aurora Martinez, Paralegal Aaliyah Antrobus, Deputy Unit Chief Robert Kaftal, and Senior Assistant District Attorney Fernando Leal and Office Manager Brenda Campbell from the Law Enforcement Assistance Unit for their assistance on this investigation.

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

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

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Wednesday, November 12, 2025

Disbarred Attorney Sentenced to up to Seven Years in Prison for Stealing
Deeds of 11 Brooklyn Properties in Decade-Long Fraudulent Scheme

Targeted Minority Homeowners Facing Foreclosure,
Convicted of 17 Charges; Fraudulent Deeds Were Nullified Today

Brooklyn District Attorney Eric Gonzalez today announced that a disbarred Brooklyn attorney who stole the deeds to 11 residential properties across Brooklyn, primarily from minority homeowners in financial distress, has been sentenced to two and a half to seven years in prison. Corporations he owns were also ordered to pay $120,000 in fines. The defendant falsely promised to help facilitate short sales, but instead transferred ownership of the homes to himself or companies he controlled and collected rent for years.

District Attorney Gonzalez said, “This defendant is a serial scammer who deserves every day he will now spend behind bars. He stole valuable homes, as well as the financial stability and integrity of his victims, leaving many in financial ruins. My office investigated, tried and convicted this defendant, holding him accountable and returning the stolen deeds to their rightful owners. We are committed to continuing to prosecute deed theft cases vigorously to protect vulnerable individuals from falling prey to fraudsters who seek to exploit high property values.”

The District Attorney identified the defendant as Sanford Solny, 68, of Midwood, Brooklyn. He was sentenced today by Brooklyn Supreme Court Justice Danny Chun to an indeterminate term of two and a half to seven years in prison following his conviction in June of 13 counts of third-degree criminal possession of stolen property, three counts of first-degree scheme to defraud and one count of third-degree grand larceny in connection with 11 properties following a bench trial. Twelve corporations owned by the defendant were also convicted of 13 counts of third-degree criminal possession of stolen property and one count of third-degree grand larceny.

Prosecutors acknowledged that the judge promised the sentence when he rendered his verdict and stated that, absent that constraint, they would have recommended a sentence of seven to 18 years in prison. The judge today also nullified the deeds to the 11 properties, which were held by corporations the defendant controls.

The District Attorney said that, according to the evidence, between 2012 and 2022, the defendant, whose law license was suspended in 2012 before he was disbarred in 2023, carried out a fraudulent real estate scheme targeting homeowners in foreclosure. He presented himself as a financial expert who could negotiate with lenders to sell the homes for less than what was owed on the mortgage — a process known as a short sale — to help clients avoid foreclosure. Instead, using an array of false statements, he tricked his victims into unwittingly signing over their deeds to corporations he controlled.

The defendant defrauded 15 victims, many of whom had limited legal or financial literacy by convincing them they were getting help. Instead, the defendant transferred ownership of their homes to his companies and in some cases collected rent from tenants already living there. The 11 properties included homes in Bedford-Stuyvesant, East Flatbush, Canarsie, East New York and Ocean Hill, among other neighborhoods. Victims lost their homes, their equity and, in many cases, suffered damage to their credit as the foreclosure proceedings remained unresolved.

Since 2017, the Brooklyn District Attorney’s Office has obtained 30 indictments against 42 defendants in numerous deed theft cases, pertaining to over 70 properties. All of these cases resulted in convictions – leading to many carceral sentences – except for five that are still pending. Most of the defendants were skilled scammers, including disbarred attorneys and repeat offenders, who targeted and harmed multiple victims. These many successful prosecutions have significantly contributed to the overall precipitous drop since 2017 in the number of deed fraud complaints made by Brooklyn residents to the city’s Department of Finance. The DA’s Office remains committed to safeguarding homeownership and ensuring justice for communities harmed by these predatory schemes.

The case was prosecuted by Senior Assistant District Attorney Joseph DiBenedetto, of the District Attorney’s Frauds Bureau and Assistant District Attorney Gregory C. Pavlides, Chief of the Frauds Bureau, 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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Wednesday, October 29, 2025

Man Sentenced to 32½ Years to Life in Prison for Murder of
Brooklyn Philanthropist in his Fort Greene Home

Defendant Fatally Stabbed Victim and Set House Ablaze

Brooklyn District Attorney Eric Gonzalez today announced that a homeless man has been sentenced to 32.5 years to life in prison for stabbing a Brooklyn man 22 times, killing him, and then setting fire to his Fort Greene townhouse.

District Attorney Gonzalez said, “L. Antonio Litman opened his door, his table, and his heart to others, and his kindness and generosity were met with unimaginable violence. The theft of such a caring, generous life demanded the accountability that today’s sentence delivers, and my heart continues to be with Mr. Litman’s loved ones and the Fort Greene community as we refuse to let his name be forgotten.”

The District Attorney identified the defendant as Dondre Richardson, 38, who was residing in a Manhattan homeless shelter at the time of the incident. He was sentenced today by Brooklyn Supreme Court Justice Donald Leo to 32½ years to life in prison — 25 years to life for second-degree murder and a consecutive term of 7½ to 15 years for third-degree arson. The defendant was convicted of these counts on June 24, 2025 following a jury trial.

The District Attorney said that, according to the evidence, on January 20, 2020, at approximately 3:10 a.m., the defendant was inside the home of L. Antonio Litman, located at 248 Adelphi Street, in Fort Greene, Brooklyn. The two men were acquaintances. The defendant stabbed the victim 22 times about his body, killing him. He then set fire to the home before fleeing.

The victim’s body was found inside the building by firefighters responding to the blaze. The Office of the Chief Medical Examiner determined that the victim died as a result of stab wounds.

The defendant’s fingerprints were recovered from a bloody knife left at the scene and surveillance video captured him outside the building at the time of the incident. The defendant was arrested on January 28, 2020.

The District Attorney thanked Homicide Paralegal Meghan Brancaro and Green Zone Paralegal Aneudy Mata for their work on this case.

The case was prosecuted by Deputy Bureau Chief Cassandra Pond and Senior Assistant District Attorney Danyelle Shapiro, of the Green Zone Trial Bureau, under the supervision of Assistant District Attorney Leila Rosini, Homicide Bureau Chief.

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Wednesday, October 29, 2025

Brooklyn Man Sentenced to 18 Years in Prison for Killing
Father Defending His Daughter in Crown Heights

A Co-defendant Was Previously Sentenced to 18 Years to Life in Prison

Brooklyn District Attorney Eric Gonzalez today announced that a Brooklyn man has been sentenced to 18 years in prison for the fatal shooting of a man at the Kingsborough Houses in Crown Heights. The victim, a 43-year-old father, died defending his teenage daughter from the defendant and a co-defendant during an armed burglary attempt.

District Attorney Gonzalez said, “Phillip Scarlett died protecting his teenage daughter from two armed men in the ultimate act of a father’s bravery. While no sentence can heal the pain of this loss, the long prison terms these defendants received for this senseless killing delivers accountability. Even as gun violence in Brooklyn is at a record low, this case underscores the importance of the work we do every day to make our city safer.”

The District Attorney identified the defendant as Rashawn Brown, 29, of Crown Heights, Brooklyn. He was sentenced today to 18 years in prison and five years of post-release supervision by Brooklyn Supreme Court Justice John Hecht. The defendant pleaded guilty to one count of first-degree manslaughter on June 5, 2025.

A co-defendant, Waki Bullock, 33, of Crown Heights, was convicted of two counts of second-degree murder on December 9, 2024, following a jury trial. He was sentenced by Justice Hecht to 18 years to life in prison.

The District Attorney said that, according to the evidence, on January 13, 2019, at approximately 1:30 p.m., inside 219 Kingsborough 2 Walk, a building within NYCHA’s Kingsborough Houses, in Crown Heights, the defendant and his co-defendant shot and killed 43-year-old Phillip Scarlett. Scarlett was expecting a visit from his 14-year-old daughter, who was heading to the sixth-floor apartment to get laundry money. As the girl approached the entrance, the defendant and his co-defendant, who were standing in the hallway wearing masks and armed, grabbed her before she could enter. The girl yelled out for her father who in response ran to the door and was able to pull the girl away from the masked men. The victim used his body to shield his daughter from the defendant and co-defendant by pushing her into the apartment. The defendant and co-defendant then grabbed the victim, dragged him down the staircase where, according to the evidence, they shot him in the hip and thigh.

The victim was taken to Interfaith Medical Center where he was pronounced dead.

The defendant was apprehended on October 2, 2020.

The District Attorney thanked KCDA Digital Evidence Lab Intelligence Analyst Zoë Feygin and Unit Chief Jingu Chong for their work on this case.

The District Attorney also thanked Homicide Paralegal Angelika Rostkowska and Blue Zone Paralegal Sharlesia Agaga.

The case was prosecuted by Senior Assistant District Attorney Joseph Mancino, of the District Attorney’s Homicide Bureau, and Senior Assistant District Attorney Jessica Wishart, of the District Attorney’s Blue Zone Trial Bureau, under the supervision of Assistant District Attorney Leila Rosini, Chief of the Homicide Bureau.

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Thursday, October 9, 2025

Brooklyn Man Sentenced to 20 Years to Life in Prison
for Fatally Stabbing His Mother and Her Dog in Starrett City

Victim was Stabbed More than 50 Times, Dog Stabbed and Thrown from Balcony

Brooklyn District Attorney Eric Gonzalez today announced that a Brooklyn man has been sentenced to 20 years to life in prison for the murder of his mother inside their Starrett City apartment. The defendant fatally stabbed the victim more than 50 times and threw the family dog from their 11th-floor balcony.

District Attorney Gonzalez said, “It is heartbreaking that a mother lost her life so violently at the hands of her only child. This tragedy has shattered a family and deeply affected her loved ones. My office remains steadfast in pursing justice for victims and holding those who commit such acts of domestic violence fully accountable.”

The District Attorney identified the defendant as Andre Eugene, 38, of Starrett City, Brooklyn. He was sentenced today by Brooklyn Supreme Court Justice Danny Chun to 20 years to life in prison. The defendant pleaded guilty to second-degree murder on September 24, 2025.

The District Attorney said that, according to the investigation, on January 19, 2024, at approximately 7 p.m., police responded to 1500 Hornell Loop in Starrett City after receiving multiple reports of a disturbance. Upon arrival, officers discovered the body of Donna Hyman, 58, inside her apartment. She had been stabbed approximately 55 times in her neck, chest, arms, back, and scalp, and was pronounced dead at the scene. Her small dog “Gigi” was found deceased outside the building, having been stabbed approximately 32 times and thrown from the balcony.

The investigation revealed that the defendant, who lived with the victim, fatally stabbed his mother and her dog during a violent outburst. He then threw the dog from the apartment balcony. The defendant was found shortly thereafter outside the building, naked and covered in blood, and was taken into custody.

The defendant was hospitalized for self-inflicted stab wounds and a dog bite. He was charged with his mother’s murder on January 24, 2024.

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

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Friday, September 5, 2025

Staten Island Man Indicted for Murder in Fatal Sunset Park Hit-and-Run Crash

Defendant Allegedly Drove with BAC up to .19 Before Killing Two Pedestrians

Brooklyn District Attorney Eric Gonzalez today announced that a Staten Island man has been arraigned on an indictment charging him with murder, manslaughter, criminally negligent homicide and related offenses for allegedly driving drunk, running a steady red light and striking two men who were crossing the street in a crosswalk in Sunset Park. The defendant then allegedly fled the scene without stopping.

District Attorney Gonzalez said, “This defendant allegedly chose to drive drunk and speed through a red light, and two innocent men lost their lives while simply crossing the street. Kexun Chen and Faqiu Lin should still be with their families today. We will fight for justice on their behalf and make clear that reckless drivers who endanger lives will be held fully accountable.”

The District Attorney identified the defendant as Juventino Anastacio Florentino, 23, of Staten Island. He was arraigned today before Brooklyn Supreme Court Justice ¬¬Dineen Riviezzo on an indictment in which is he charged with two counts of second-degree murder, two counts of second-degree manslaughter, two counts of criminally negligent homicide and related charges. Bail was set at $300,000 bond or $100,000 cash and the defendant was ordered to return to court on November 14, 2025.

It is alleged that on July 11, 2025, at approximately 4:22 a.m., the defendant was driving southbound on Third Avenue when he allegedly sped through a steady red light at 52nd Street and struck two men who were in the crosswalk with the right of way. The victims were identified as Kexun Chen, 80, and Faqiu Lin, 59. The defendant then allegedly fled the crash site without reporting the incident. Both victims were later pronounced dead at the scene.

Investigators recovered video surveillance and vehicle parts at the crash site, and license plate reader technology identified the BMW. The defendant was arrested later that morning at his Staten Island residence. According to the investigation, the defendant’s vehicle displayed damage consistent with striking pedestrians, and the defendant showed signs of intoxication. Testing indicated his blood alcohol content was between .13 and .19 — well above the legal limit of .08. Approximately eight hours after the crash, the defendant allegedly blew a .04 on a breath test and admitted to drinking earlier that night.

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 Assistant District Attorney Christopher Velez, Deputy Bureau Chief of the Street Safety Bureau and Assistant District Attorney Jennifer Nocella, Chief of the Street Safety Bureau, under the supervision of Assistant District Attorney Michael Boykin, Deputy Bureau Chief, and Assistant District Attorney Cassandra Pond, Deputy Bureau Chief, under the overall supervision of Assistant District Attorney Frank DeGaetano, Bureau Chief.

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