About omar morhbi

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Wednesday, April 10, 2024

Brooklyn Lawyer Indicted for Allegedly Stealing

Nearly $3.8 Million from Four Clients to Fund Lavish Lifestyle

Defendant Allegedly Kept Home Sale Proceeds and Estate Funds, Allegedly Spent Funds on Expensive Restaurants, Hotels, a BMW, and a Battery Park City Apartment;

Charged in Similar Scheme in December for Allegedly Stealing Almost $1.5 Million

Brooklyn District Attorney Eric Gonzalez today announced that Brooklyn lawyer Salvatore Strazzullo has been arraigned on an indictment charging him with stealing close to $3.8 million from four clients he represented in real estate and estate proceedings in connection with five properties in Bensonhurst, Kensington, Dyker Heights, and Borough Park.

The defendant was charged in a separate indictment in December 2023 with stealing approximately $1.5 million from three other clients following the sale of properties in Bensonhurst and Borough Park. That case is still pending.

District Attorney Gonzalez said, “This defendant is accused of stealing a tremendous amount of money that represents the nest eggs of his victims, senior citizens who trusted him to handle their affairs. Instead, he allegedly violated his ethical duty as an attorney, betrayed their trust and broke the law. We will now seek to hold him accountable.”

The District Attorney identified the defendant as Salvatore Strazzullo, 51, whose law office is located at 7101 18^th Avenue in Bensonhurst. He was arraigned today before Brooklyn Supreme Court Justice Danny Chun on an indictment in which he is charged with one count of first-degree grand larceny, four counts of second-degree grand larceny and one count of first-degree scheme to defraud. The defendant was released without bail and ordered to return to court on May 29, 2024.

The District Attorney said that, according to the investigation, the defendant represented an 86-year-old man and an 81-year-old woman on the sale of their family residence on 70^th Street in Bensonhurst between August 16, 2023 and March 26, 2024. The defendant allegedly stole the $1,298,035 proceeds of the sale, which were deposited into his escrow account to be given to his clients. He never distributed the funds, it is alleged, and did not respond to calls and emails from his clients.

It is also alleged that the defendant represented a 90-year-old man and an 88-year-old woman in the approximately $1.6 million sale of their family residence on McDonald Avenue in Kensington between April 27, 2022 and March 26, 2024. The proceeds were deposited into the defendant’s escrow account to be distributed to the clients. The clients allegedly received $750,000 from the defendant over a 19-month period after which the payments ceased. The defendant allegedly stole the remaining $933,120 of the proceeds.

Furthermore, it is alleged, that in June 2021 the defendant represented a 54-year-old man and a 52-year-old woman in the sale of two Brooklyn properties, one was their residence on 80^th Street in Bensonhurst and one on 70^th Street in Dyker Heights was the home of the man’s 86-year-old parents.  The defendant allegedly stole a total of approximately $693,273 from the proceeds of both sales. The defendant allegedly stopped returning phone calls and emails from the clients.

Finally, it is alleged that in May 2023, the defendant represented a 75-year-old man as executor of the estate of his cousin, in the sale of his sole asset, a property located on 59^th Street in Borough Park. A portion of the proceeds of the $1.9 million sale, approximately $871,250, were deposited in the defendant’s escrow account to be distributed to the client, but allegedly were not, despite numerous requests.

It is alleged that, between June 9, 2021 and March 26, 2024, the defendant used his escrow account to engage in a Ponzi scheme, using some of the stolen funds from one client to pay money owed to other clients, while living a lavish lifestyle that included $50,000 worth of meals at restaurants including Wolfgang’s Steakhouse, Cipriani and Ponte Vecchio; almost $100,000 for a BMW and a driver; approximately $60,000 for hotels in Paris and Miami; about $406,000 for a $13,000-a-month apartment in Battery Park City; approximately $470,000 in American Express payments and cash withdrawals totaling approximately $970,000.

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 StrazzulloComplaints@brooklynda.org.

Supervising Financial Investigator Susan Ryan, of the District Attorney’s Asset Forfeiture and Crimes Against Revenue Bureau, and a Detective Investigator assigned to the DA’s Detective Bureau assisted in the investigation.

The case is being prosecuted by Assistant District Attorney Laura Neubauer, Chief of the District Attorney’s Public Integrity Bureau, and Assistant District Attorney Adam Libove, Deputy Bureau Chief, 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, March 27, 2024

Defendant Sentenced to up to Seven Years for Operating a Ponzi Scheme,

Stealing Almost $1 Million from Nine Victims

Defendant Told Victims that She Would Buy Discounted Properties

For Them at a Private Auction, Which Did Not Exist

Brooklyn District Attorney Eric Gonzalez today announced that a defendant has been sentenced to 3 ½ to 7 years in prison for stealing approximately $959,000 from nine victims in a fraudulent real estate investment scheme in which victims were told their money would be used to purchase discounted Brooklyn properties at a private auction. Instead, no properties were ever purchased, and the defendant reimbursed some money to older investors using money from more recent investors.

District Attorney Gonzalez said, “With today’s sentencing this defendant has been brought to justice. The defendant sought to take advantage of Brooklyn’s rising real estate values to steal money from investors. I would caution individuals to carefully consider with whom they invest their savings.”

The District Attorney identified the defendant as Regine Norman, a.k.a., Regine Ellis, 69. She was sentenced today by Brooklyn Supreme Court Justice Danny Chun to 3 ½ to 7 years in prison. The defendant was also ordered to pay restitution totaling $842,000. She pleaded guilty to six counts of second-degree grand larceny and three counts of third-degree grand larceny on January 31, 2024.

The District Attorney said that, according to the investigation, between May 2018 and September 2020, the defendant engaged in a real estate fraud scheme in which she told her victims that she had access to buy properties located in Brooklyn and in the surrounding New York area, at a discount, usually by falsely claiming that she was a member of a private real estate auction. She then convinced her victims to wire her money for down payments on the properties.

After obtaining the down payment, the defendant provided her victims with fraudulent contracts of sale, which often included the forged signature of the actual property owner, and never used the funds to purchase any property. Among the properties were more than a dozen located in Brooklyn.

Furthermore, according to the investigation, the Department of State has no record of any business entity called “NY Private Auction Inc.,” the private auction company the defendant claimed to be a member of. The defendant provided her victims little information about the private auction, telling many victims that they could not attend or speak to anyone at the auction because only members had access.

Moreover, the actual owners of the various properties the defendant claimed were being auctioned never put their properties up for sale at auction and never retained the defendant as a broker or agent with the authority to buy or sell their properties.

Over the course of the defendant’s scheme, several victims suspected they had been defrauded and repeatedly demanded the defendant return their money. The defendant, after holding on to victims’ money for an extended period of time, returned the full amount of the stolen funds to four victims using money stolen from more recent victims and paid a portion of the stolen funds to three other victims. The defendant has not returned any funds to seven of the victims.

The case was investigated by Detective Investigators assigned to the District Attorney’s Investigations Bureau.

The case was prosecuted by Assistant District Attorney Richard Farrell, Chief of the Real Estate Fraud Unit, and Assistant District Attorney Adam Libove, Deputy Chief of the Public Integrity Bureau, under the supervision of Assistant District Attorney Gregory C. Pavlides, Chief of the Frauds Bureau, and Assistant District Attorney Michel Spanakos, Deputy Chief of the Investigations Division, and the overall supervision of Assistant District Attorney Patricia McNeill, Chief of the Investigations Division.

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Wednesday, March 13, 2024

Park Slope Man Sentenced to 20 Years in Prison

For Sexually Assaulting Two Teenage Girls

Assaults Were Captured on Video Surveillance Footage Recovered from Defendant’s Home

Brooklyn District Attorney Eric Gonzalez today announced that a Park Slope man has been sentenced to 20 years in prison for sexually assaulting two teenage girls in his apartment after giving them drugs. The assaults were captured on video surveillance footage recovered from the defendant’s home.

District Attorney Gonzalez said, “I remain committed to seeking justice for all victims of sexual violence and to protecting children and teens from predators who are intent on exploiting them. With today’s sentence, this defendant, who preyed on two young girls, offering them drugs and subjecting them to sexual assault, has now been held accountable. Brooklyn is safer with this defendant behind bars.”

The District Attorney identified the defendant as Christopher Chabrier, 40, of Park Slope, Brooklyn. He was sentenced today by Brooklyn Supreme Court Justice Heidi Cesare to 20 years in prison and 20 years‘ post–release supervision. He must register as a sex offender upon his release from prison. The defendant was convicted of two counts of use of a child in a sexual performance as a sexually motivated felony; third-degree criminal possession of a controlled substance; two counts of second-degree criminal possession of a weapon; third-degree rape; third-degree criminal sexual act; second-degree attempted rape; and possession of a sexual performance by a child, among other charges, on February 13, 2024, following a jury trial.

The District Attorney said that, according to the evidence, on August 30, 2020, the defendant approached the victims, who were 14 and 15 years old, at a park in Carroll Gardens. The defendant gave the victims what he told them was MDMA, Xanax, cocaine, and marijuana. Later, the victims and a friend smoked marijuana inside the defendant’s vehicle. The defendant gave each of the teens $20 before they exited the vehicle.

Furthermore, according to the evidence, on August 31, 2020, the defendant picked up the victims near Carroll Park and drove them to his apartment on Jackson Place in Park Slope. The defendant gave the victims what he told them was MDMA, cocaine, and marijuana. Both victims began to feel dizzy. One of the victims was so affected that she was unable to stand and began to crawl, at which point the defendant subjected both teenagers to various sexual acts, resulting in injuries to one of the victims.

Afterward, the defendant gave the victims $200 and $100, respectively.

One of the victims disclosed the assault to her father who took her to a nearby hospital where she was treated for lacerations and bruising. A sexual assault evidence collection kit was also completed.

The defendant was arrested on September 15, 2020. A search warrant executed at his apartment turned up two loaded firearms; several knives and tasers; boxes of ammunition; and a large quantity of drugs, including marijuana, cocaine, LSD, Psilocybin, Clonazepam, and Alprazolam, among others. Investigators also recovered video surveillance footage from security cameras throughout the residence that captured the sexual assaults of August 31, 2020.

Paralegals Kenneth Walker and Julia Holman of the Special Victims Bureau assisted in the prosecution.

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

Wednesday, March 6, 2024

Brooklyn Man Sentenced to 40 Years to Life

in Prison for Fatally Shooting a Man outside Red Hook Houses

27-Year-Old-Victim Was Expecting Birth of First Child;

Died Three Weeks Later from Gunshot Wound to Head

Brooklyn District Attorney Eric Gonzalez today announced that a Brooklyn man has been sentenced to 40 years to life in prison following his conviction for shooting a man outside the Red Hook Houses in 2020. The victim died three weeks later from a gunshot wound to the head.

        District Attorney Gonzalez said, “The life of Elvin Fernandez, a young man expecting the birth of his first child, was cruelly and senselessly cut short when the defendant shot and killed him in cold blood. My heart goes out to Mr. Fernandez’s family and friends, who hopefully find a measure of solace with today’s lengthy sentence.”

The District Attorney identified the defendant as David Gorham, 32, of Red Hook, Brooklyn. He was sentenced today by Brooklyn Supreme Court Justice Raymond L. Rodriguez to 40 years to life in prison. The defendant was convicted of second-degree murder and two counts of second-degree criminal possession of a weapon on December 6, 2023, following a jury trial.

The District Attorney said that, according to the evidence, on June 1, 2020, at approximately 5:50 p.m., outside the Red Hook Houses at 484 Columbia Street, the defendant saw Elvin Fernandez, 27, ride past in the backseat of a car. The defendant then proceeded to wait inside a nearby candy store while the victim and the victim’s pregnant girlfriend exited the vehicle.  The defendant walked over, reached into a bag and pulled out a handgun. He fired once, striking the victim in the head. The defendant then went into a nearby building, changed his clothing, and fled the area. Police arrested him on June 18, 2020.

The victim was taken to New York-Presbyterian Hospital Brooklyn Methodist where he remained in critical condition before dying of his wounds on June 24, 2020.

Investigators later determined that a friend of the defendant had been feuding with the victim’s girlfriend.

The District Attorney thanked Homicide Paralegal Amanda Connolly for her assistance on the case.

The case was prosecuted by Senior Assistant District Attorney Chelsea Toder, of the District Attorney’s Homicide Bureau, and Assistant District Attorney Michael McGee Jr., of the District Attorney’s Blue Zone Trial Bureau, under the supervision of Assistant District Attorney Leila Rosini, Homicide Bureau Chief.

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Tuesday, March 5, 2024

Brooklyn Man Sentenced to 14 Years in Prison for Deliberately Chasing Down and Crashing His Car into Cyclist, Killing Him

Defendant Pleaded Guilty to First-Degree Manslaughter

Brooklyn District Attorney Eric Gonzalez today announced that a Brooklyn man has been sentenced to 14 years in prison for intentionally running over a cyclist in Bushwick who he allegedly observed breaking into his car.

          District Attorney Gonzalez said, “This defendant’s extreme reaction when he allegedly witnessed a relatively minor, non-violent crime cost a man his life. Rather than reporting the incident to police, the defendant deliberately chased the victim in his car, striking and killing him, while endangering everyone else on the road. He has now been brought to justice.”

The District Attorney identified the defendant as Korey Johnson, 45, of Ocean Hill, Brooklyn. He was sentenced today by Brooklyn Supreme Court Justice Elizabeth Warin to 14 years in prison following his guilty plea to first-degree manslaughter on February 9, 2024.

The District Attorney said that, according to the evidence, on September 3, 2019, at approximately 6 a.m., the defendant allegedly saw Donald Roberts, 47, breaking into the defendant’s 2003 Jeep Grand Cherokee parked on Broadway near Ellery Street in Bushwick. The defendant then entered his car and chased after the victim as he biked off, deliberately speeding down Broadway and entering oncoming traffic during the pursuit. The defendant intentionally drove his Jeep into the victim, striking him from behind and crashing his SUV into a row of parked cars before the car flipped onto its side.

The victim was taken to Woodhull Hospital where he died from severe blunt force trauma. Police arrested the defendant at the scene of the accident after he was extracted from his vehicle.

The case was prosecuted by Senior Assistant District Attorney Evan Hannay, of the District Attorney’s Homicide Bureau, and Assistant District Attorney Chow Xie, Deputy Chief of the Homicide Bureau, under the supervision of Assistant District Attorney Leila Rosini, Chief of the Homicide Bureau.

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Thursday, February 29, 2024

Brooklyn Man Sentenced to 17 Years in Prison

For Shooting Death of His Neighbor

Defendant Entered Victim’s Apartment and Shot Him in His Bedroom

Brooklyn District Attorney Eric Gonzalez today announced that a Brooklyn man has been sentenced to 17 years in prison following his guilty plea to manslaughter for killing his 62-year-old neighbor, in his New York City Housing Authority apartment in Brownsville.

District Attorney Gonzalez said, “This defendant committed a heinous crime by killing his neighbor. He has now accepted responsibility for this senseless shooting and been sentenced to a lenghthy prison term.”

The District Attorney identified the defendant as Gregory Spears, 43, of Brownsville, Brooklyn. He was sentenced today by Brooklyn Supreme Court Justice Donald Leo to 17 years in prison and five years’ post-release supervision. The defendant pleaded guilty to first-degree manslaughter on January 29, 2024.

The District Attorney said that, according to the investigation, on May 19, 2020, at approximately 2:40 p.m., the defendant knocked on the door of the victim’s apartment in the Langston Hughes Houses at 301 Sutter Avenue in Brownsville. Both the defendant and the victim lived in apartments on the 14^th floor.

The victim’s wife opened the door and recognized the defendant, even though he was wearing a Halloween mask. The defendant’s wife happened to be visiting with the victim’s wife inside of the apartment at the time.

The victim’s wife went to the bedroom and told the victim, Angel Medina, 62, that the defendant wanted to speak to him. He then went into the bedroom, took off the mask, shot the victim multiple times, and fled the apartment.

The victim died of multiple gunshot wounds to the torso. The defendant was arrested on May 20,2020, at approximately 7 a.m., when he exited the elevator on the 14^th floor and was met by police securing the crime scene.

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

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Wednesday, February 28, 2024

Canarsie Man Who Allegedly Struck and Killed Pedestrian While

Driving Drunk Indicted for Vehicular Manslaughter

Defendant’s Blood Alcohol Level Above the Legal Limit

Brooklyn District Attorney Eric Gonzalez today announced that a Canarsie man has been arraigned on an indictment in which he is charged with vehicular manslaughter after he allegedly drove drunk and struck a 68-year-old pedestrian crossing the street, killing him.

District Attorney Gonzalez said, “This defendant’s alleged recklessness in drinking and driving cost an innocent man his life. Brooklyn residents deserve safe streets, and I am committed to holding the defendant accountable for his illegal conduct.”

The District Attorney identified the defendant as Gary Turner, 47, of Canarsie, Brooklyn. He was arraigned today before Brooklyn Supreme Court Justice Dale Fong-Frederick on an indictment in which he is charged with second-degree vehicle manslaughter, second-degree vehicular assault and operating a motor vehicle while under the influence. Bail was set at $150,00 cash or $300,00 bond. The defendant was ordered to return to court on April 16, 2024.

The District Attorney said that, according to the investigation, on January 31, 2024, at approximately 6:45 p.m., the defendant was driving a 2017 Dodge Caravan westbound on Glenwood Road when he struck Luis Garcia, 68, in the crosswalk at the intersection of East 105^th Street, throwing him onto the ground.

Furthermore, according to the investigation, when police officers arrived at the scene, they allegedly observed that the defendant had slurred speech, red eyes, and an odor of alcohol on his breath. The defendant was administered a breathalyzer test, which showed the defendant had a blood alcohol level of .132, greater than the legal limit of .08.

Paramedics transported Garcia to Brooklyn University Hospital where he was pronounced dead due to severe blunt trauma to the chest and head.

The case is being prosecuted by Senior Assistant District Attorney Christopher C. Rainwater and Assistant District Attorney Rebecca Velez of the District Attorney’s Red Zone Trial Bureau, under the supervision of Assistant District Attorney Karla Watson, Bureau Chief, and Assistant District Attorney Christopher Velez, Deputy Bureau Chief of the Street Safety Bureau.

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

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Wednesday, February 28, 2024

Brooklyn Husband and Wife Indicted for Sex Trafficking of a Child

Fifteen-Year-Old Victim was Allegedly Approached on Harlem Street, Lured to Brooklyn

Brooklyn District Attorney Eric Gonzalez today announced that a Brooklyn couple has been arraigned on a 22-count indictment in which they are charged with sex trafficking of a child, promoting prostitution and related charges for the alleged sex trafficking of a 15-year-old girl.

District Attorney Gonzalez said, “I am committed to rescuing and protecting our at-risk teens from those who seek to harm and exploit them. Luckily, this victim was located by police after reaching out to her foster mother. We will now seek to bring these defendants to justice.”

The District Attorney identified the defendants as Daryl Hicks, 38, and Michelle Wicks, 31, of East New York, Brooklyn. Hicks was arraigned today before Brooklyn Supreme Court Justice Danny Chun on an indictment in which he is charged with sex trafficking of a child, second-, third- and fourth-degree promoting prostitution, third-degree rape, use of a child in a sexual performance, endangering the welfare of a child, possessing a sexual performance by a child and promoting a sexual performance by a child. He was ordered held without bail and to return to court on March 13, 2024. Wicks, who was indicted for sex trafficking of a child and related charges, was arraigned before Justice Chun on December 7, 2023, and released without bail.

The District Attorney said that, according to the investigation, between November 20, 2022 and December 30, 2022, the defendants allegedly met the 15-year-old victim and induced her to engage in acts of prostitution. The victim was allegedly approached by Hicks in Harlem and told by him “you could be working for me” and “I could put money in your pocket.”

It is alleged that the defendants actively posted the victim’s photo on escort websites and arranged “dates” for her at various locations in Brooklyn. They allegedly instructed her on what sexual services to offer, how much to charge, and how to communicate with customers.

Hicks allegedly engaged in sexual intercourse with the victim on December 25, 2022, according to the investigation. Photos and videos of the victim, including videos of sexual acts with Hicks, were allegedly discovered on the defendant’s cell phone.

On December 30, 2022, detectives from the Human Trafficking Squad went to the Imperial Hotel in East New York and recovered the victim inside a room registered to Hicks. She had been reported missing days earlier after reaching out to her foster mother and sending her photos.

The case was investigated by Detective Paul Mastronardi of the New York City Police Department’s Human Trafficking Squad, under the supervision of Sergeant Kevin Kavanagh, Lieutenant Amy Capogna, and Captain Thomas Milano, and the overall supervision of Chief Carlos Ortiz.

The District Attorney thanked Human Trafficking Unit Paralegal Aurora Martinez and Digital Forensic Analyst Taylor Mumley of the Digital Evidence Lab for their assistance on the investigation.

The case is being prosecuted by Senior Assistant District Attorney Mary E. Monahan, 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 an accusatory instrument and not proof of a defendant’s guilt.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Thursday, February 8, 2024

Brooklyn Man Sentenced to 9 ½ Years in Prison

Following Guilty Plea in Connection with Brownsville Shooting

Defendant Opened Fire in Broad Daylight and Struck Police Officer’s Vehicle, Causing Injury

Brooklyn District Attorney Eric Gonzalez announced today that a Brooklyn man has been sentenced to nine and a half years in prison for opening fire in Brownsville and striking a marked police car that was on patrol in the vicinity. A detective was injured by broken glass when a bullet shattered the driver’s side window. Two fired bullets were recovered inside the vehicle.

District Attorney Gonzalez said, “Thankfully, this NYPD detective was spared more serious injuries when this defendant fired a barrage of approximately nine rounds in broad daylight. Today’s sentence holds him accountable for his actions and will help to make the streets of Brooklyn safer.”

The District Attorney identified the defendant as Jah-Mike Woolridge, 28, of Brownsville, Brooklyn. The defendant was sentenced yesterday by Brooklyn Supreme Court Justice Miriam Cyrulnik to nine and a half years in prison and five years’ post-release supervision. The defendant pleaded guilty to first-degree attempted assault on January 10, 2024.

The District Attorney said that, according to the evidence, on June 23, 2022, at approximately 4:30 p.m., in the vicinity of Legion Street and Pitkin Avenue, following an earlier argument with a 23-year-old man, the defendant fired at a car that the man was driving which was stopped at a red light. The defendant fired multiple shots at the man’s car and into the intersection of Legion Street and Pitkin Avenue.

The victim’s car was struck multiple times and two rounds were recovered from inside his vehicle. The victim was not injured.

Furthermore, New York City Police Detective Sunjay Verma was driving west on Pitkin when he and his partner saw the defendant holding a black semi-automatic pistol and firing at the other vehicle. Detective Verma’s driver’s side window was hit by a bullet and shattered. The detective, who suffered injuries to his arm from the shattered glass, chased after the defendant, who fled into the nearby Brooklyn Gardens Housing Development, where a loaded black pistol was later recovered. Two rounds were recovered from inside the police car.

The defendant fled the scene. He was apprehended in Maryland by the Fugitive Task Force and the U.S. Marshals in November 2022 and returned to New York.

The case was prosecuted by Senior Assistant District Attorney Matthew Barg, of the District Attorney’s Orange Zone Trial Bureau, with the assistance of Assistant District Attorney Michael Trabulsi and Assistant District Attorney Iris Das, Deputy Chiefs of the Orange Zone, under the supervision of Assistant District Attorney Danielle Eaddy, Bureau Chief.

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Thursday, February 8, 2024

Illegal Cannabis Shop Employee Indicted for Felony Assault for

Allegedly Injuring Investigator Who Came to Shut Down the Store

Defendant Allegedly Pushed Victim Out and Closed Door on his Arm

Brooklyn District Attorney Eric Gonzalez today announced that a Brooklyn man has been indicted for felony assault and other charges for allegedly assaulting a Finance Supervising Investigator, working for the New York State Department of Taxation and Finance, who came to shut down the illegal cannabis store where the defendant worked.

District Attorney Gonzalez said, “This defendant didn’t just defy the law by working in a shop that sold unlicensed cannabis products, but also allegedly violently attacked an investigator as he tried to lawfully shut down the illegal business. In Brooklyn, we have no tolerance for attacks on law enforcement personnel and will now seek to hold the defendant fully accountable.”

John Harford, Deputy Commissioner of the New York State Department of Taxation and Finance, said, “Tax Department Criminal Investigators are engaged in vital work. Anyone who assaults them or otherwise interferes with their law enforcement duties should be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law. On behalf of the CID team and the entire Department, I want to thank Brooklyn DA Gonzalez and his office for their efforts in this case.”

The District Attorney identified the defendant as Arjante Moss, 27, of Downtown Brooklyn. He was arraigned yesterday before Brooklyn Supreme Court Justice Danny Chun on an indictment charging him with second-degree assault, second-degree obstructing governmental administration and second-degree harassment. The defendant is facing a maximum sentence of seven years in prison if convicted of the top count. He remained out on bail and was ordered to return to court on March 20, 2024.

The District Attorney said that, according to the evidence, the defendant was an employee at Big Chief Exotics Smoke Shop, located at 7323 Third Avenue in Bay Ridge, Brooklyn. On December 18, 2023, at approximately 12:40 p.m., a Finance Supervising Investigator from NYS Department of Taxation and Finance, came to shut down the store pursuant to a closure order obtained in Supreme Court by the Attorney General’s Office.

When the defendant realized the visitor was a law enforcement agent, he allegedly pushed him out and closed the door on his arm. The victim managed to extricate his arm from the doorframe, sustaining bruising to the left arm. He was treated at New York University Langone Hospital and released.

Agents proceeded to permanently close down the store, which has been the subject of two previous inspections by the Office of Cannabis Management, during which unlicensed marijuana products were seized and notices of violation and orders to cease unlicensed activity were issued.

The case is being prosecuted by Senior Assistant District Attorney Joel Greenwald of the District Attorney’s Asset Forfeiture and Crimes Against Revenue Bureau, under the supervision of Assistant District Attorney Diana Villanueva, Deputy Bureau Chief, and the overall supervision of Assistant District Attorney Patricia McNeill, Chief of the District Attorney’s Investigations Division.

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