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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Wednesday, January 18, 2023

Former Brooklyn Attorney Indicted for Real Estate Fraud in Connection With Four Properties Valued at Nearly $2.3 Million

Scheme Targeted Homes in Foreclosure in East Flatbush, Canarsie, East New York And Ocean Hill; Defendant Allegedly Collected $63,995 in Rent

Brooklyn District Attorney Eric Gonzalez today announced that a disbarred Brooklyn attorney has been arraigned on an indictment in which he is charged with stealing the deeds to four properties, three of which were in foreclosure, for a total of approximately $2.3 million by defrauding homeowners, most of whom believed he was negotiating a short sale on their behalf.

District Attorney Gonzalez said, “This defendant allegedly defrauded distressed homeowners when he stole the titles to their homes while pretending to help them, and we are committed to holding him accountable. Because people want to live in Brooklyn, scammers continue to target homeowners, and I encourage every property owner to take steps to protect themselves.”

The District Attorney identified the defendants as Sanford Solny, 65, of Midwood, Brooklyn, Albany Ave Realty Inc., East 100 St Realty Inc., Pleasant Pl. Realty Inc., and Bear Realty & Management Corp. They were arraigned today before Brooklyn Supreme Court Justice Danny Chun on an 8-count indictment in which they are variously charged with first-degree and second-degree criminal possession of stolen property, first-degree scheme to defraud, and second-degree grand larceny. Solny was released without bail and ordered to return to court on March 22, 2023.

The District Attorney said that, according to the investigation, between October 2012 and December 2022, the defendant, an attorney whose license to practice law was suspended in April 2012 and who was disbarred on January 5, 2023, allegedly engaged in a real estate fraud scheme to steal deeds, possess those properties, and economically benefit from four residential properties in Brooklyn, targeting victims who owned properties that were in foreclosure.

It is alleged that various individuals, including unlicensed brokers, contacted the victims and referred them to the defendant to negotiate a short sale, i.e., selling the property to someone else under terms communicated to and approved by a lender. In exchange, the lender would then drop the foreclosure action and forgive the loan amount owed.

The defendant allegedly met most of the victims at his office in Borough Park where he either falsely told them that they were required to sign their deeds over to him for the defendant to begin a short sale negotiation on their behalf or had the victims sign documents that the defendant claimed were part of the short sale process but, unbeknownst to them, actually relinquished ownership of their property to the defendant.

The indictment charges the defendant with crimes involving the following one- and multi- family homes with a total current value of approximately $2.295 million:

• 1247 Albany Avenue in East Flatbush
• 1429 East 100^th Street in Canarsie
• 1100 Sutter Avenue in East New York
• 10 Pleasant Place in Ocean Hill

In most cases, the defendant allegedly paid the owner’s fee, ranging from $350 to $10,000, for transferring the property to him or to various corporations he controlled. In some cases, the defendant allegedly told the victims that the lenders preferred or required that the homeowners vacate the property for the short sale to occur.

Over the years that the defendant claimed to be in negotiations, when victims asked him about the negotiations or possible sales, he allegedly offered an array of excuses and explanations.

The defendant allegedly collected at least $63,995 in rent from tenants he brought in or existing tenants at three of the properties the victims transferred to him. As record owner, if any of the properties were to be sold, the defendant would also benefit from the increase in value accrued over the last several years.

As a result of the defendant’s alleged fraudulent scheme, the victims lost their properties and potential rental income. In addition, their credit scores and ability to obtain new loans rapidly deteriorated as most of the foreclosures remain active.

The District Attorney offered the following tips to homeowners to protect themselves:

• Make sure the NYC Dept. of Finance has the correct address to receive property notices.
• Designate a trusted family member or friend to receive notices if you are unable.
• Register with the NYC Department of Finance to receive automatic notifications regarding any changes to your deed or property records.
• Never sign any contract you do not understand.
• For more information visit http://brooklynda.org/deedfraud/

The case was investigated by Detective Candido Salgado of the KCDA New York City Police Department Squad. Supervising Financial Investigator Deborah Wey, of the District Attorney’s Investigations Division, assisted in the investigation.

The District Attorney thanked the New York City Department of Finance and the New York State Department of Financial Services for their assistance in the investigation.

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

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Tuesday, January 10, 2023

Bronx Man Sentenced to 9 Years in Prison Following Guilty Plea to Attempted Murder for Shooting at Kings Plaza Mall

Two Teenage Boys Wounded When Defendant Opened Fire Inside Sneaker Store

     Brooklyn District Attorney Eric Gonzalez today announced that a Bronx man was sentenced to 9 years in prison for a 2022 shooting inside a crowded Brooklyn mall that wounded two teenage boys and sent dozens of other shoppers running in fear for their lives. The defendant pleaded guilty to second-degree attempted murder in November.

     District Attorney Gonzalez said, “This defendant shot two teenagers and terrorized everyone around when he opened fire on a group in a crowded mall store. We have no tolerance for violence and this sentence sends a clear message that gun crime in Brooklyn will be met with serious consequences.”

     The District Attorney identified the defendant as Timothy Briggs, 20, of Claremont Village, Bronx. He was sentenced today by Brooklyn Supreme Court Justice Danny Chun to 9 years in prison and five years of post-release supervision, following his guilty plea to second-degree attempted murder and second-degree criminal possession of a weapon on November 30, 2022. The defendant will also serve three-and-a-half years concurrent on another conviction of second-degree criminal possession of a weapon.

    The District Attorney said that, according to the investigation, on January 31, 2022, at approximately 2:30 p.m., inside the Kings Plaza Shopping Center, the defendant and two co-defendants got into an argument with a group of six teenage boys at the Laced Up sneaker store.  The defendant then pulled out a 40-caliber handgun and fired as many as 10 times at the group, striking a 14-year-old boy in the leg. A second boy, 16, suffered a graze wound to the leg.

   According to the investigation, the defendant and two co-defendants then fled the mall before being apprehended less than three blocks away. Police recovered two guns at the scene, including the 40-caliber handgun fired by the defendant. The shooting was also captured on surveillance video.

   The two victims were taken to local hospitals where they were treated and released.

   Co-defendants, Jaheim Covington, 20, and Omarion Harvey, 19, have both pleaded not guilty in connection with the shooting and are awaiting trial.

   The case was prosecuted by Senior Assistant District Attorney Edward Kerins, of the District Attorney’s Violent Criminal Enterprises Bureau, under the supervision of Assistant District Attorney Alfred Deingeniis, Bureau Chief.

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Wedneday, December 21, 2021

Brooklyn Man Sentenced to 20 Years to Life in Prison for Sexually Assaulting

20-Year-Old Woman in Brownsville Park

Defendant Offered to Walk the Victim Home, Then Raped and Robbed Her

Brooklyn District Attorney Eric Gonzalez today announced that a Brooklyn man has been sentenced to 20 years to life in prison for the rape and robbery of a 20-year-old woman in a public park in Brownsville. A DNA match connected the defendant to the crime.

District Attorney Gonzalez said, “This was a horrific attack that left a young woman traumatized and a community shaken. With today’s sentence, the defendant is held accountable for this deplorable crime. I am committed to bringing to justice those who commit such brutal acts of sexual violence.”

The District Attorney identified the defendant as Jason Lopez, 44, of East New York, Brooklyn. He was sentenced today to 20 years to life in prison by Brooklyn Supreme Court Justice Donald Leo. He was convicted of first-degree rape and third-degree robbery following a jury trial in May.

The District Attorney said that, according to the evidence, on December 1, 2018, at approximately 2 a.m., the defendant approached the 20-year-old victim near Herzl Street and Dumont Avenue as she was trying to assist a friend to get home from a party.

The defendant asked the two women if they needed help. He then hailed a cab and helped the friend into the cab before offering to walk the victim home. The defendant then grabbed the victim by the wrist and led her into Betsy Head Park, where he asked if she wanted to have sex. When the victim refused, the defendant pushed her to the ground and raped her.

The defendant then ran off with the victim’s cellphone and purse as the victim yelled. She immediately reported the rape to a bystander she spotted on the street. The bystander called 911 and brought the victim to the 73^rd Police Precinct. DNA from the victim’s sexual assault evidence kit matched the defendant’s DNA, which was on file from a prior felony conviction. He was arrested on December 15, 2018.

The case was prosecuted by Senior Assistant District Attorney Sapna Kishnani, of the District Attorney’s Special Victims Bureau and Assistant District Attorney Kevin O’Donnell, Deputy Bureau Chief, under the supervision of Assistant District Attorney Miss Gregory, Bureau Chief.

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Thursday, December 15, 2022

 Man and Woman Indicted for Sex Trafficking of Teenage Girl

Defendants Are Each Charged with Sex Trafficking of a Child,

Among Other Charges in 12-Count Indictment

 

Brooklyn District Attorney Eric Gonzalez today announced that a man and a woman have been named in an indictment charging them with the sex trafficking of a 16-year-old girl. The male defendant was arraigned today. His co-defendant remains unapprehended.

District Attorney Gonzalez said, “These defendants allegedly took advantage of a teenage girl, forcing her to repeatedly engage in sex with several men in exchange for money that the defendants took from her. We have no tolerance for this kind of outrageous conduct, and I will continue to hold accountable anyone who criminally exploits vulnerable youth in Brooklyn.”

The District Attorney identified the defendant as Kaelin Alexander, a.k.a. Chantz, 23, of Staten Island. His co-defendant remains unapprehended. Both defendants are variously charged in a 12-count indictment with sex trafficking of a child, second-, third- and fourth-degree promoting prostitution and endangering the welfare of a child. Alexander was arraigned today before Brooklyn Supreme Court Justice Danny Chun, who set bail at $50,000 cash or $350,000 bond. The defendant was ordered to return to court on January 23, 2023. He faces up to 25 years in prison and would be required to register as a sex offender if convicted of the top count.

The District Attorney said that, according to the investigation, between August 7, 2022 and August 19, 2022, the defendants made the victim, a 16-year-old girl, engage in prostitution in exchange for money in East New York, Brooklyn, walking the track on Pennsylvania Avenue, which is an area known for prostitution activity, while the defendants waited in Alexander’s car.

Furthermore, it is alleged, that on or about August 20, 2022, Alexander and his co-defendant got into an altercation and the co-defendant left the car. Thereafter, it is alleged, the victim began engaging in prostitution solely for Alexander giving Alexander the money she earned.”

Finally, according to the investigation, the New York City Police Department subsequently received information regarding the possible sex trafficking of a 16-year-old girl, an investigation was commenced, and the victim was recovered on October 17, 2022, after an undercover operation was conducted.

The case was investigated by New York City Police Department Detective Denis Regimbal of the Human Trafficking Squad, under the supervision of Sergeant Robert Duplessis, Lieutenant Amy Capogna, and Captain Thomas Milano.

The case is being prosecuted by Assistant District Attorney Alexandra Iorio, of the District Attorney’s Human Trafficking Unit, under the supervision of Assistant District Attorney David Weiss, Deputy Unit Chief, 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 an accusatory instrument and not proof of a defendant’s guilt

 

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Tuesday, November 15, 2022

Thirty-Two Alleged Members of Two Rival Brownsville-Based Gangs Charged With 106 Counts, Including Conspiracy to Commit Murder

19 Shootings, Two of Them Fatal, Included in Four Separate Indictments;

14 Total Victims, Several of Them Innocent Bystanders, Including 3-Year-Old Girl

and 62-year-old man; 27 Firearms Recovered During Long-Term Investigation

Brooklyn District Attorney Eric Gonzalez, together with New York City Police Commissioner Keechant L. Sewell, today announced that 32 alleged members of two rival street gangs known as WOOO and CHOO are variously charged in four indictments with conspiracy to commit murder, conspiracy to possess weapons, and other related charges including murder, attempted murder, reckless endangerment, and weapons possession. The indictments include charges related to 19 shootings that resulted in 14 victims, including two who died as a result of their injuries. Innocent bystanders, including a 3-year-old girl who was leaving daycare, were wounded in the charged shooting incidents.

District Attorney Gonzalez said, “With this successful takedown we aim to incapacitate two violent gangs that have terrorized parts of Brownsville for too long. Their senseless and indiscriminate gun violence upended the sense of safety for many residents and wounded a number of innocent bystanders, including a 3-year-old-girl who was leaving her daycare center. We will never allow this type of criminal activity to go unimpeded and will work closely with the NYPD to build strong cases that will ensure that these alleged offenders are held accountable, and our communities are kept safe – like we’ve done in this case.”

NYPD Commissioner Sewell said, “Among the highest priorities for the NYPD and our law enforcement partners is focusing our resources on the relatively few people responsible for the majority of the crime and violence in New York City. Today’s charges highlight our commitment to identifying, arresting, and prosecuting anyone who takes part in illegal gang activities. I thank and commend the members of the NYPD’s Gun Violence Suppression Division and the entire Brooklyn District Attorney’s Office for their dedicated efforts on this important case.”

The defendants will be arraigned before Brooklyn Supreme Court Justice Danny Chun on four indictments in which they are variously charged with second- and fourth-degree conspiracy, second-degree murder, second-degree attempted murder, attempted first degree assault, second-degree assault, second-degree criminal possession of a weapon, and first-degree reckless endangerment. There are a total of 106 counts in the indictments against 32 defendants – 13 alleged WOOO members and 19 alleged CHOO members.

The District Attorney said the indictments are the result of a long-term investigation by the District Attorney’s Violent Criminal Enterprises Bureau and the Gun Violence Suppression Division that started in the spring of 2020 and extended until November of 2022. The investigation focused on two gang confederacies that operate out of several neighboring housing complexes in Brownsville. On one side is WOOO, based in the Seth Low Houses, Van Dyke Houses, Langston Hughes Houses, Glenmore Plaza, and Brownsville Houses; WOOO is made up of numerous subsets, including OMB, 1800, Gorilla Stone Bloods, Makk Balla Bloods, 59 Brim, YAWAH and Pistol Packin Pitkin (PPP). On the other side of the rivalry is CHOO, based in the Tilden Houses, Howard Houses, Marcus Garvey Village, Newport Gardens, and Riverdale Towers; similarly, CHOO is made up of a collection of crews, including Folk Nation (also known as Gangster Disciples), Move In Silence (M.I.S.) and Hoodstarz. Dumont Avenue is considered the dividing line between the two gangs’ territories. Some WOOO- and CHOO-controlled housing complexes are located on the same street.

The long-running rivalry between these criminal organizations, predicated on maintaining their territory and gaining supremacy over their rivals, coupled with close geographic proximity, has led to consistent and frequent violence. Much of the violence charged in the indictments was specifically fueled by the murder of WOOO member Shamel Boomer on July 10, 2020. Although not directly responsible for Boomer’s death (a member of the Bergen Fam gang was later charged for allegedly committing that homicide), the murder of Boomer was celebrated by both Bergen Fam and CHOO alike and has become a common way to disrespect WOOO by both gangs. WOOO vowed retaliation against their rivals, including CHOO, in a violent movement referred to as “Boomin’ for Boomer” on social media. CHOO, in turn, retaliated against WOOO members or individuals perceived to be associated with WOOO.

During the conspiracy period covered in the indictments, there were 27 incidents, including two homicides and 17 non-fatal shootings that wounded 14 people. Over 25 different firearms were used in these acts of violence and 27 firearms were recovered during the course of the investigation.

It is alleged that many of the acts of violence were captured on surveillance videos. Furthermore, it is alleged that the defendants boasted about their criminal activities on social media and in music videos, discussing acts of violence and taking credit for shootings.

The first homicide charged took place on July 5, 2020, when CHOO member Corey Henry allegedly traveled to WOOO territory, the Glenmore Plaza housing complex, and fatally shot WOOO member Jahrell Gause. The second homicide took place on July 12, 2022, when CHOO member Shakur Bartley allegedly shot and killed Tyrie McLaughlin, a WOOO member, in front of the Brownsville Houses, which is considered WOOO territory.

 

Other significant incidents that are charged as part of the conspiracies include:

• On March 25, 2022, it is alleged that Daleek Habersham traveled in a BMW driven by Princess Chambers to Riverdale Avenue, where he allegedly believed a WOOO member resided. It is alleged that once in the vicinity, Habersham exited the BMW and shot directly in the direction of a man who was putting a young child into his car (and who was not, in reality, a rival) before running back into the waiting BMW. A 3-year-old girl who was walking from a nearby daycare, holding her father’s hand, was struck in the shoulder. The following day, Habersham allegedly sent a screenshot of a news article describing the shooting to a private Instagram group, followed by the message “did bad.”

 

• On April 14, 2021, it is charged that CHOO member Parnell Brown was struck by a Hyundai Sonata driven by WOOO member Davvion Thompson while Brown attempted to cross the street. After rolling onto the hood and being thrown to the ground, it is alleged that Brown immediately ran after the Hyundai, firing at its direction as it sped away. It is further alleged that Thompson drove straight to Saks 5^th Avenue in Manhattan, where video surveillance captures him shopping with others at the luxury store.

 

• On October 6, 2020, it is alleged that WOOO member Lawrence Cook summoned two other WOOO members, Elijah Griffith and Avante Stephen, after seeing a rival CHOO member in a doctor’s office waiting room. It is alleged that Griffith and Stephen immediately came to the area, where they waited nearby until the CHOO member exited the doctor’s office with his mother and young siblings at approximately 2:50 pm. Once the CHOO member and his family entered a Honda Pilot, Griffith allegedly fired upon the vehicle multiple times, striking the vehicle. This incident represents WOOO’s policy of “shoot on sight.”

 

This investigation was conducted by New York City Police Department Detective John LaMariana and Detective Justin Vazquez of the Gun Violence Suppression Division, under the supervision of Sergeant Yancy Blowe, Sergeant Calvin Fergus, Lieutenant Salvatore Sciove, Captain Ryan Gillis, all of the Gun Violence Suppression Division, and Deputy Chief Jason Savino, the Commanding Officer of the Gun Violence Suppression Division, and under the overall supervision of Chief of Detectives James W. Essig.

The case is being prosecuted by Senior Assistant District Attorneys Kelly Maloney and Daniel Stern of the District Attorney’s Violent Criminal Enterprises Bureau, with the assistance of Paralegals Dian Fields-Vernon and Tanya Lopez, under the supervision of Assistant District Attorneys Kathryn Spota and Gillian DiPietro, VCE Deputy Bureau Chiefs, Assistant District Attorney Jennifer Cilia, VCE First Deputy Bureau Chief,  and Assistant District Attorney Alfred DeIngeniis, VCE Bureau Chief.

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

[Note: Materials shown at the press conference are available here.]

 

DEFENDANT ADDENDUM:

WOOO Members 

1. Errol Everett, 36
2. Elijah Griffith, 23
3. Dionte Gibb, 24
4. Baramus Temple, 23
5. Lawrence Cook, 22
6. George Rosario, 23
7. Jared Lambson, 18
8. Avante Stephen, 22
9. Tyler Hodges, 19
10. Christian Graham, 20
11. Denus Sanders, 24
12. Davvion Thompson, 23
13. Travon Murphy, 22

CHOO Members

1. Pernell Brown, 21
2. Roleke Green, 20
3. Jaylen Clark, 21
4. Juvaun Delfyette, 19
5. Paul Moore, 22
6. Lamont Lockett, 19
7. Isaiah Feliciano, 22
8. Jaylen Ortiz, 18
9. Daleek Habersham, 23
10. Princess Chambers, 22
11. Corey Henry, 20
12. Anthony McCrae, 24
13. Bryan Rodriguez, 21
14. Shakur Bartley, 25
15. Levi Alexis, 21
16. Franklin McClain, 20
17. Deandru Jones, 23
18. Jaevon King, 21
19. Joel Mentore, 19

 

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Monday, November 7, 2022

  Brooklyn Man Indicted for Murder and Dismemberment of Girlfriend

   Victim’s Remains Found Stashed in Suitcases in Her East New York Apartment

            Brooklyn District Attorney Eric Gonzalez today announced that a Brooklyn man has been arraigned on an indictment charging him with the murder and dismemberment of his girlfriend, whose remains were found in suitcases in her East New York apartment.

District Attorney Gonzalez said, “This defendant is accused of the horrific murder and dismemberment of his former girlfriend. While we can’t erase the tragic and cruel death of D’Asia Johnson, we are fully committed to bringing this defendant to justice. I hope that this prosecution brings a measure of solace to D’Asia’s family and friends.”

The District Attorney identified the defendant as Justin Williams, 24, of Manhattan. He was arraigned today before Brooklyn Supreme Court Justice Danny Chun on one count of second-degree murder and one count of concealment of a human corpse. He was ordered held without bail and to return to court on January 25, 2023. The defendant faces up to 25 years to life in prison if convicted.

The District Attorney said that, according to the investigation, the victim, D’Asia Johnson, went home after work on August 21, 2022, entered her apartment on Linwood Avenue in East New York, and never exited the apartment again. Furthermore, according to the investigation, in the early morning hours of August 22, 2022, the defendant allegedly stabbed the victim nine times – five times to the front of her torso and four times to the back. The defendant and the victim had dated for several years.

It is alleged that the defendant dismembered the victim’s body and concealed the body parts in two suitcases. He allegedly resided in the apartment for a month and used towels and cleaning products to mask the smell.

The defendant allegedly fled the apartment following a wellness check by building personnel who became concerned because they had not seen the victim in a while. They then called police, who discovered the body.

The case was investigated by New York City Police Department Detective Ryan Glasser of the 75^th Precinct Detective Squad and Detectives Michael Narsingh and Adam McLawhorn of the NYPD’s Brooklyn North Homicide.

The District Attorney thanked Paralegals Janette Ayala, Meghan Brancato and Amanda Connolly of the Homicide Bureau for their assistance on the case.

The case is being prosecuted by Senior Assistant District Attorney Matthew Perry, of the District Attorney’s Homicide Bureau and Assistant District Attorney Ernest Chin, Deputy Bureau Chief, under the supervision of Assistant District Attorney Leila Rosini, Bureau Chief.

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