Press Releases

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Thursday, May 26, 2016

 

Former Greenpoint Securities Broker Indicted
In Connection With $3.6 Million Financial Fraud

Defendant Allegedly Stole Money that He was Supposed to Invest for Polish Businessman

Brooklyn District Attorney Ken Thompson today announced that a former Greenpoint securities broker is charged with first-degree grand larceny and other charges for allegedly stealing $3.6 million that he was supposed to invest for a Polish businessman.

District Attorney Thompson said, “The defendant is charged with stealing millions of dollars from a long-time client who put his trust in him. We will now do all that we can to put him in prison, where he belongs, and recover the victim’s money.”

The District Attorney said that the defendant, Roman Sledziejowski, 35, of Memphis, Tennessee (formerly Ossining, New York) was arraigned today before Brooklyn Supreme Court Justice Danny Chun on a 16-count indictment in which he is charged with one count of first-degree grand larceny, one count of first-degree money laundering, seven counts of first-degree falsifying business records, and seven counts of second-degree criminal possession of a forged instrument. The defendant was ordered held on bail of $250,000 bond or $100,000 cash and to return to court on August 10, 2016. He faces up to 25 years in prison if convicted of the top count.

The District Attorney said that, according to the indictment, the defendant was a licensed broker registered with the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority from 1998 through 2012. He was also the Chief Executive Officer of the broker-dealer firm TWS Financial, LLC, a.k.a., Trade Wall Street, located at 739 Manhattan Avenue, in Greenpoint, Brooklyn.

It is alleged that the defendant, who is Polish, met the victim, a 68-year-old Polish immigrant and successful businessman, at a social function in 2006 and that two years later, after developing a relationship, the defendant became the victim’s stockbroker. The victim and the defendant, who spoke to each other in Polish, spoke a few times a month and met once a month in the Greenpoint office or in the victim’s office. The victim did not have experience with or knowledge of the American financial markets.

It is alleged in the indictment that over time the defendant gained the victim’s trust and then abused that trust, violated his ethical obligations as a broker and victimized the individual by stealing from him. Following the defendant’s advice, the victim transferred money from his personal and business accounts to an account specified by Sledziejowski.

The defendant, according to the indictment, told the victim he would use the money to make numerous investments for him, but instead of making investments he simply transferred the money to his own accounts and then transferred it to accounts in the names of other individuals.

The District Attorney said that, according to the indictment, Sledziejowski tried to conceal his theft by providing false documents to the victim. The documents purported to be confirmations of trades executed on the victim’s behalf and account summary statements that reflected the balances consistent with the victim’s belief about his account. It is alleged that none of the trades were ever executed. In fact, the victim’s account had a zero balance.

As a result of this scheme, the defendant allegedly stole approximately $3.6 million from the victim.

The District Attorney said that the alleged scheme was discovered after brokers employed by the defendant filed a complaint with the DA’s office claiming they were owed commissions. Anyone who believes they may have been a victim of this defendant is urged to call the District Attorney’s Action Center at 718-250-2430.

The case was investigated by Financial Investigator Vincent Jones, Paralegal Megan Carroll, Supervising Detective Investigator Robert Addonizio and Edwin Murphy, Deputy Chief of the District Attorney’s Investigations Bureau.

The case is being prosecuted by Assistant District Attorney Heidi Bausk of the District Attorney’s Frauds Bureau, under the supervision of Assistant District Attorney Felice Sontupe, Chief of the Frauds Bureau, and the overall supervision of Executive Assistant District Attorney William E. Schaeffer, Chief of the District Attorney’s Investigations Division and Patricia McNeill, Deputy Chief.

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

 

Kenneth P. Thompson

District Attorney
Kings County

May 25, 2016

COMMUNITY PARTNER IN JUSTICE NOTIFICATION

Brooklyn Man Convicted of Murder during Dice Game

Brooklyn District Attorney Ken Thompson today announced that a 24-year-old man has been convicted of murder and assault for shooting up a dice game in Brownsville in 2012, killing a 20-year-old man and wounding two others.

On the night of June 28, 2012, the defendant, Lawrence Harris, opened fire at a group of men who were playing dice by the corner of Sutter Avenue and Union Street in Brownsville. Trendon Franklin, 20, was struck three times in the chest, abdomen and arm, and died of his injuries. Another victim was grazed by a bullet in the chest and struck in the index finger. A third victim was shot in the back.

District Attorney Thompson said, “This case is another reminder of the mayhem caused by senseless gun violence.  The young defendant opened fire in the middle of the street, taking the life of another young man.  He will now spend a good part of his life behind bars because of the terrible choice that he made.”

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Read the full press release here.

 

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Wednesday, May 25, 2016

 

Two Gang Members Sentenced to 25 Years to Life in Prison
For Kidnapping for Hire, Murder

Victim’s Body Found in Queens, Throat Cut from Ear-to-Ear

Brooklyn District Attorney Ken Thompson today announced that two gang members were each sentenced to 25 years to life in prison following their conviction on first-degree kidnapping, second-degree murder and related charges for the forced abduction and murder of a Williamsburg man.

District Attorney Thompson said, “These two defendants committed a brazen and heinous crime.  They kidnapped a young man in broad daylight, in front of his family, and later slit his throat and took money, drugs, and a car in payment for these heinous acts. They now deserve to spend many years in prison for their crimes.”

The District Attorney identified the defendants as Tramel Cuencas, 24, and Irving Gavin, 28, both of 702 Warwick Street in East New York, Brooklyn. Each defendant was sentenced today by Brooklyn Supreme Court Justice Danny Chun to 25 years to life in prison. Cuencas was convicted on April 14, 2016, of two counts of second-degree murder and one count of second-degree robbery following a jury trial. Gavin was convicted on April 18, 2016 of first-degree kidnapping and first-degree burglary by a separate jury.

The District Attorney said that, according to trial testimony, on the afternoon of November 14, 2012, the defendants forced their way into the apartment of Thomas Dudley and held him and three other occupants at gun point. They then took approximately $10,000 from a safe inside the home. Three of the victim’s family members, including his 8-year-old sister, were in the apartment at the time.

The defendants then forced the victim to get dressed, tied his hands and then directed him into a U-haul truck waiting outside. The victim’s body was found the following day in Forest Park, Queens; his throat was cut from ear-to-ear and both wrists were slashed.

After the defendants, both members of the Elm Street Piru gang, were arrested on November 19, 2012, they made incriminating statements admitting to the kidnapping and indicated that the kidnapping was ordered by another gang member as retaliation for an alleged drug dispute involving the victim. In exchange for kidnapping Dudley, the defendants expected to be paid in cash, drugs and a Jaguar.

The case was investigated by New York City Police Detective Erik Malak of the 90 Precinct Detective Squad and Detectives Robert McCormick and Kahlid Ragab of the 102^nd Precinct Detective Squad and Detective Peter Galasso of the Queens Homicide Squad.

The case was prosecuted by First Deputy Chief Alfred De Igeniis and Assistant District Attorney James Slattery of the District Attorney’s Violent Criminal Enterprises Bureau, under the supervision of Kenneth Taub, Chief of the District Attorney’s Homicide Bureau.

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Wednesday, May 25, 2016

 

Brooklyn Man Convicted of Murder during Dice Game

Shot Victim Dead, Wounded Two Others; Faces up to 47 Years to Life in Prison

Brooklyn District Attorney Ken Thompson today announced that a 24-year-old man has been convicted of murder and assault for shooting up a dice game in Brownsville in 2012, killing a 20-year-old man and wounding two others.

District Attorney Thompson said, “This case is another reminder of the mayhem caused by senseless gun violence.  The young defendant opened fire in the middle of the street, taking the life of another young man.  He will now spend a good part of his life behind bars because of the terrible choice that he made.”

The District Attorney identified the defendant as Lawrence Harris, 24, of 708 Kingsborough 7 Walk in Crown Heights, Brooklyn. He was convicted today of second-degree murder, first-degree attempted assault, reckless endangerment and related counts following a jury trial before Brooklyn Supreme Court Justice Danny Chun, who set sentencing for June 14, 2015. The defendant faces up to 47 years to life in prison.

The District Attorney said that, according to trial testimony, on June 28, 2012, at 11:30 p.m., the defendant opened fire at a group of men who were playing dice by the corner of Sutter Avenue and Union Street in Brownsville, Brooklyn. Trendon Franklin, 20, was struck three times in the chest, abdomen and arm, and died of his injuries. Another victim was grazed by a bullet in the chest and struck in the index finger. A third victim was shot in the back. The defendant was arrested in April 2013.

The case was prosecuted by Assistant District Attorney Patrick L. O’Connor and Assistant District Attorney Ashlyn Miranda of the District Attorney’s Violent Criminal Enterprises Bureau, under the supervision of Assistant District Attorney Nicole Chavis, Bureau Chief.

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Kenneth P. Thompson

District Attorney
Kings County

May 25, 2016

COMMUNITY PARTNER IN JUSTICE NOTIFICATION

Attorney Indicted for Stealing Almost $600,000 From the Estate of Deceased NYC Judge

Brooklyn District Attorney Ken Thompson today announced the indictment of a Howard Beach attorney on one charge of grand larceny for allegedly siphoning off approximately $600,000 from an estate that he was hired to represent and using the funds for his personal expenses. Stolen funds include proceeds from the sale of the historic Slave Theater in Bedford-Stuyvesant.

According to the indictment, the defendant, Frank Racano, 54, of Howard Beach, Queens,stole $587,160.56 from the estate of New York City Civil Court Judge John L. Phillips, Jr., who died in 2008, unmarried, childless and without a will. In 2010, Racano was hired by the administrator of the estate to assist in the sale of the estate’s real estate holdings, which included the Slave Theater. Following the sale of the theater in February 2013, Racano proceeded to write and cash over 300 checks to himself without authorization from the estate or the Court.

District Attorney Thompson said, “This defendant had a duty to his client but instead allegedly stole nearly $600,000 of the proceeds from the sale of two properties belonging to the estate of Judge Phillips, including the historic Slave Theater. He’s charged with writing himself hundreds of checks until all the money was gone. We will now hold him accountable for these shameful criminal acts.”

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

 

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Wednesday, May 25, 2016

 

Attorney Indicted for Stealing Almost $600,000
From the Estate of Deceased New York City Civil Court Judge

Stolen Funds Include Proceeds from Sale of Historic Slave Theater in Bedford-Stuyvesant

Brooklyn District Attorney Ken Thompson today announced an indictment charging a Howard Beach attorney with siphoning off approximately $600,000 from an estate that he was hired to represent and using the funds for his personal expenses.

District Attorney Thompson said, “This defendant had a duty to his client but instead allegedly stole nearly $600,000 of the proceeds from the sale of two properties belonging to the estate of Judge Phillips, including the historic Slave Theater. He’s charged with writing himself hundreds of checks until all the money was gone. We will now hold him accountable for these shameful criminal acts.”

The District Attorney said that the defendant, Frank Racano, 54, of Howard Beach, Queens, was arraigned today before Brooklyn Supreme Court Justice Danny Chun on an indictment in which he is charged with one count second-degree grand larceny. He was held on $250,000 bail and ordered to return to court on August 10, 2016.

The District Attorney said that, according to the indictment, between February 2013 and May 2015, the defendant stole approximately $587,160.56 from the estate of New York City Civil Court Judge John L. Phillips, Jr., who died unmarried, childless and without a will on February 16, 2008.

The District Attorney said that, according to the investigation, on January 16, 2009, Samuel Boykin, a nephew by marriage, successfully petitioned the Kings County Surrogate to be appointed administrator of the estate.

In early 2010, Boykin hired Racano, a licensed attorney, to assist in the sale of the estate’s real estate holdings, which included the Slave Theater, located at 1215-1217 Fulton Street in Bedford-Stuyvesant and 10 Halsey Street, a vacant lot behind the theater. In 2012, the properties went into contract for a total of $2.2 million and the buyer paid the estate a down payment of $220,000. That check, payable to “Frank Racano, as attorney,” was deposited into the defendant’s attorney trust checking account.

Kings County Surrogate Diana Johnson approved the sale of the properties on December 19, 2012. On February 25, 2013, at the closing for the properties, the buyer’s attorney paid closing expenses and taxes that were owed on the property. The net proceeds of the sale, $517,339.65, were paid to the estate in two checks payable to “Frank Racano, as attorney.”

Racano deposited those two checks into his trust account, thus the total proceeds from the sale of the properties credited to the estate should have been $737,339.65. Between February 2013 and May 2015, Racano paid estate expenditures for tax assistance and other services totaling $150,179.09. During this same period, he wrote and cashed over 300 checks to himself in amounts ranging from $45 to $7,500, without authorization from the estate or the Court and completely depleted the account, allegedly stealing a total of $587,160.56.

The case was investigated by Supervising Financial Investigator Rosa Velasquez, under the supervision of Chief Financial Investigator Michael Campi, of the District Attorney’s newly- formed Financial Investigators Bureau.

The case is being prosecuted by Senior Assistant District Attorney Frank Dudis, of the District Attorney’s Real Estate Fraud Unit, under the supervision of Assistant District Attorney Richard Farrell, Unit Chief, and Assistant District Attorney Felice Sontupe, Chief of the District Attorney’s Fraud Bureau, and the overall supervision of Executive Assistant District Attorney William E. Schaeffer, Chief of the District Attorney’s Investigations Division and Assistant District Attorney Patricia McNeill, Deputy Chief.

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

 

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Monday, May 23, 2016

 

Brooklyn Man Sentenced in Absentia to 40 Years in Prison for
Shooting Five Members of a Family with whom he had an Ongoing Dispute

Defendant Sought Revenge after Being Reported to Police
For Throwing Milkshake at Teenage Girl in McDonald’s Restaurant

Brooklyn District Attorney Ken Thompson today announced that a 25-year-old Bushwick man was sentenced in absentia to 40 years in prison for opening fire on the family of a young woman with whom he had an ongoing dispute, striking five of them, including her father.

District Attorney Thompson said, “This defendant brazenly shot and injured five people, all of whom are lucky to be alive. When it became clear, near the end of trial, that the evidence against him was overwhelming he absconded. Let’s be clear, however, that he will be found and will serve many years in prison.”

The District Attorney identified the defendant as Curtis Peterson, 25, of Greene Avenue in Bushwick. He was sentenced to 40 in prison by Brooklyn Supreme Court Justice Michael Gary. The defendant was convicted last month of three counts of first-degree assault, one count of first-degree attempted assault, one count of second-degree assault, one count of first-degree reckless endangerment, one count of second-degree criminal possession of a weapon and one count of first-degree harassment last month following a jury trial. The defendant, who was free on $100,000 bail, absconded following summations.

The District Attorney said that, according to trial testimony, on July 20, 2013, at approximately 2 p.m., the defendant, who was with a group of young men, approached the victims, who were on Menahan Street. He opened fire, striking Ronaldo Pizarro, 45, in the stomach, striking Pizarro’s wife Melody Amill, 37, in the knee, and striking his son, Ronaldo Jr., 22, in the leg. Pizarro’s aunt, Wanda Espinoza, 45, was hit in the stomach and another relative, Manuel Rivera, 62, was hit in the ankle.

Furthermore, according to trial testimony, Peterson had an ongoing dispute with Pizarro’s 18-year-old daughter whom he harassed on July 18, 2013, by showing up at her job in a McDonald’s and throwing a milkshake at her. Pizarro’s daughter, at the behest of her parents, reported the harassment to the police, according to testimony, leading Peterson to seek retaliation by confronting and shooting at her family members.

Finally, according to trial testimony, a 9mm Taurus semiautomatic handgun was found at the scene and the defendant’s DNA was present on the firearm. The defendant fled to Springfield, Massachusetts, where he was arrested several days later.

The case was prosecuted by Assistant District Attorney Timothy Gough, Chief of the District Attorney’s Grey Zone Trial Bureau, and Assistant District Attorney Ross Yaggy, also of the Grey Zone.

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Thursday, May 19, 2016

 

Brooklyn Man Sentenced to 22 Years to Life in Prison for
Killing Teen in Christmas Eve Shooting

Struck Victim Seven Times following Argument on Facebook

Brooklyn District Attorney Ken Thompson today announced that a 20-year-old man from Coney Island, Brooklyn has been sentenced to 22 years to life in prison for fatally shooting a teenager who was walking his dog on Christmas Eve 2013. An argument on Facebook preceded the incident.

District Attorney Thompson said, “This defendant murdered a teenager over an argument they had on social media.  Anyone who thinks it is acceptable to commit such a senseless act of violence deserves to spend many years behind bars to think about what they did.”

The District Attorney identified the defendant as Jerome Leslie, 20, of 2820 West 32^nd Street in Coney Island, Brooklyn. He was sentenced today by Brooklyn Supreme Court Justice Neil Firetog to 22 years to life in prison following his conviction on April 14, 2016 on charges of second-degree murder and second-degree criminal possession of a weapon after a jury trial.

The District Attorney said that, according to trial testimony, on December 24, 2013 at about 7 p.m., the defendant shot and killed Yaquin English, 17, outside 3144 Bayview Avenue in Coney Island, Brooklyn. Moments earlier, the defendant went to the victim’s apartment building, looking for him. A short time later, the victim got off the elevator with his dog, a pit-bull. Before he re-entered the building, the defendant opened fire, striking the victim seven times, killing him, the evidence showed. The dog, which was tied to a railing, sustained a wound to the paw.

In the weeks leading up to the shooting, the victim engaged in an argument on Facebook regarding his female cousin, who was romantically involved with the defendant. Leslie threatened to kill English during the online correspondence, a witness testified.

The defendant was arrested in February 2014 and subsequently made a statement to detectives, admitting his involvement in the shooting.

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

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Thursday, May 19, 2016

 

Seven Brooklyn Men Charged in Narcotics Takedown in Clinton Hill;
Numerous “Open-Air” Drug Sales near Schools, Places of Worship

Approximately 48 Transactions Made During Eight-Month Investigation

Brooklyn District Attorney Ken Thompson, together with New York City Police Commissioner William J. Bratton, today announced that seven people have been arrested for allegedly selling heroin, crack-cocaine, marijuana and other narcotics to undercover officers over the past eight months as part of an anti-drug initiative in Clinton Hill, Brooklyn.

District Attorney Thompson said, “These defendants have been charged for allegedly dealing crack-cocaine, heroin and other drugs in broad daylight and near schools and houses of worship in total disregard for the children and people who attend them.  We did this investigation and made these arrests because we’re determined to rid our communities of the scourge of drug dealing.”

The District Attorney said that the investigation began in September 2015 following community complaints regarding drug sales in the confines of the 88^th precinct in Clinton Hill. Specifically, the investigation focused on a several-block area extending from Gates Avenue in the north to Atlantic Avenue in the south and from Classon Avenue in the east to Clinton Avenue in the west. In addition, a number of the transactions took place in Bedford-Stuyvesant in the vicinity of Fulton Street and Nostrand Avenue.

Over the course of the investigation, undercover officers made approximately 48 buys of crack cocaine, heroin, Klonopin, marijuana and Xanax. The drugs were branded with various names, including “Red Dragon,” “Death Strike” and “Jack Daniels.” During one street transaction, an undercover officer was sold 699 glassines of heroin at $10 apiece.

The majority of the buys were made within 1,000 feet of a school, including: Public School 11, located on Waverly Avenue; Middle School 35, located on Macdonough Street; and Leadership Preparatory Charter School, located on Macon Street. In addition, many of the transactions took place in the vicinity of a senior center, residential homes and several small businesses. Further, approximately three transactions were made directly in front of or a few steps away from religious institutions.  Specifically, a number of transactions occurred inside an abandoned residential building located at 488 Waverly Avenue. Following the investigation, the building was seized by the New York City Department of Housing Preservation and Development.

According to the investigation, many of the drug buys were conducted out in the open or via drive-up delivery, where drug dealers allegedly delivered narcotics upon request. The transactions occurred between the early morning hours, as early as 7:45 a.m., into the late evening.

The defendants were variously charged in indictments or complaints with criminal sale of a controlled substance in or near school grounds, second- and third-degree criminal sale of a controlled substance, third-degree criminal possession of a controlled substance and related counts.

The investigation was conducted by New York City Police Department Detective Brian DePalo, of the Major Case Narcotics Bureau Brooklyn North, under the supervision of ­­­Inspector Joseph Kenny and Sergeant Robert Maloney, of the Major Case Narcotics Bureau Brooklyn North.

Senior Assistant District Attorney Jane Kim, of the District Attorney’s Crime Strategies Unit and Gregory Thomas, Senior Executive for Law Enforcement Operations, assisted in the investigation.

The case is being prosecuted by Assistant District Attorney Ian Massar, of the District Attorney’s Violent Criminal Enterprises Bureau, under the supervision of Assistant District Attorney Tara Lenich, Deputy Chief, of the District Attorney’s Violent Criminal Enterprises Bureau. 

Defendant Addendum: 

1. Eben Barnes (aka Whispers), 26, of 136 Cambridge Place, Brooklyn.
2. Keith Harding (aka Murray), 37, of 769 Saint Marks Place, Brooklyn.
3. Willie Moore (aka Nick), 58, of 395 Clinton Avenue, Brooklyn.
4. Maurice Wright (aka Black Hat), 36, of 30 Claver Place, Brooklyn.
5. Shane Lyons (aka Rock), 44, of 1605 Fulton Street, Brooklyn.
6. Deyshaun Wigfall (aka Day Day), 20, of 1084 Bedford Avenue, Brooklyn.
7. Omar Abdelkader (aka Omar), 26, of 360 95^th Street, Brooklyn. 

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

 

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Monday, May 16, 2016

 

Brooklyn Man Sentenced to Up to 15 Years in Prison for Fatal Crash
That Left 12-Year-Old Girl Dead, Mother and Sister Injured

Defendant Pleaded Guilty to Top Count of Manslaughter for Speeding in Stolen Car,
Losing Control of Vehicle, Jumping Sidewalk and Killing Joie Sellers

Brooklyn District Attorney Ken Thompson today announced that a 28-year-old Brooklyn man has been sentenced to the maximum of five to 15 years in prison following his guilty plea to second-degree manslaughter for the 2014 fatal car crash in Flatlands that left a young girl dead and her mother and sister seriously injured.

The District Attorney said, “Robert DeCarlo was sentenced to the maximum allowed by law on this case, but this will never compensate for the loss of Joie Sellers, a beautiful and vibrant young girl who was robbed of her life because of the defendant’s reckless and irresponsible actions. We will continue to hold drivers accountable for the choices they make behind the wheel.”

The District Attorney said that the defendant, Robert DeCarlo, 28, of Brooklyn, was sentenced today to an indeterminate term of five to 15 years in prison by Brooklyn Supreme Court Justice Matthew D’Emic. The defendant pleaded guilty to the top count of second-degree manslaughter and to two counts of second-degree assault on April 29, 2016. Justice D’Emic also sentenced the defendant to three-and-a-half years, to run concurrent, following the defendant’s guilty plea to second-degree robbery stemming from a 2014 incident.

The District Attorney said that, according to the investigation, at approximately 4:45 p.m., on July 2, 2014 the defendant was driving a 2005 Dodge Caravan minivan westbound on Flatlands Avenue, near Schenectady Avenue, speeding in excess of 50 miles per hour in a 30 mph zone. The defendant lost control of the vehicle, then mounted the sidewalk striking three pedestrians: Joie Sellers, 12; her sister, Charli Sellers, 9, and their mother, Marcia Landais, 38.

The defendant climbed out of the window and fled the scene, according to the investigation. He surrendered the following day. The minivan had been stolen days prior to the fatal crash.

Joie Sellers suffered massive injuries; she was rushed to Kings County Hospital, where she was pronounced dead. Charli Sellers suffered head trauma and was in a coma for several weeks. Landais suffered pelvic fractures. Both underwent physical therapy to recover from their injuries.

The case was prosecuted by Assistant District Attorney Gayle M. Dampf, Chief of the District Attorney’s Vehicular Crimes Bureau.

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