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Wednesday, April 22, 2026

Long Island Man Sentenced to 12 Years for Sex Trafficking of a Child

Defendant Recruited the 15-year-old Victim on Social Media

Brooklyn District Attorney Eric Gonzalez today announced that a man has been sentenced to 12 years in prison following his guilty plea to sex trafficking of a child for forcing a 15-year-old girl to engage in sexual activity for money.

District Attorney Gonzalez said, “This defendant exploited a 15-year-old girl at a time of vulnerability and subjected her to manipulation, abuse and profound harm for his own profit. Today’s sentence holds him accountable, and we remain committed to supporting survivors with compassion and pursuing justice against those who traffic and exploit young people.”

The District Attorney identified the defendant as Terrence Reid, a.k.a. Chinchilla, 46, of Hempstead, New York. He was sentenced today by Brooklyn Supreme Court Justice Danny Chun to 12 years in prison and five years of supervised release. He must register as a sex offender upon his release from prison. The defendant pleaded guilty to one count of sex trafficking of a child on March 4, 2026.

The District Attorney said that, according to the investigation, in early 2022 the defendant messaged the victim, who was 14 years old at that time, on Instagram, and they messaged back and forth for a few days.

In May 2023, the 15-year-old, who was going through challenges at home, agreed to meet with the defendant, who picked her up at her aunt’s home in Brooklyn.

The defendant then took the victim to a hotel in East Orange, New Jersey, had semi-nude photos of her taken, and posted them online on a website used for prostitution along with another adult female that the defendant had engaging in prostitution for him.

The victim, and the second female, were driven to a prostitution street track on Pennsylvania Avenue in the 75th Precinct, where she was forced to walk the track all night until about 7 a.m. the following morning.

The 15-year-old engaged in numerous acts of sex for money while walking the “Penn Track” from May 22 to May 25, 2023. The defendant imposed a $300 a day quota on her, warning “it would be a problem” if she did not meet the quota.

Furthermore, on May 25, 2023, while on the “Penn Track,” the 15-year-old was assaulted and robbed by a man who paid to have sex with her. When she told the defendant what happened, he screamed at her and ordered her to get back on the track.

Finally, while everyone was sleeping at a hotel in Queens where the defendant had been keeping her, the 15-year-old sneaked out of the room, got in a taxi and reported the incidents to her case worker.

The case was investigated by Detective Courtney Thorpe of the New York City Police Department-FBI Child Exploitation & Human Trafficking Task Force, under the supervision of Lieutenant Amy Morin and the overall supervision of Inspector Gary Marcus.

Special Agent Margaret Murphy from the FBI NY Field Office, Sergeant Justin Gaudino and Detective Konrad Rozwadowski from the Manchester, Connecticut Police Department assisted in the investigation.

The District Attorney thanked Victim Specialist Erica Bell & IA Whitney Heres from the FBI NY Field Office, Office Manager Aurora Martinez and Social Worker Raquel Alger from the District Attorney’s Human Trafficking Unit and Senior Digital Forensic Analyst Taylor Mumley, from the District Attorney’s Digital Evidence Lab, for their assistance on the case.

The case was prosecuted by Assistant District Attorney David Weiss, Chief of the District Attorney’s Human Trafficking Unit, under the supervision of Assistant District Attorney Miss Gregory, Chief of the District Attorney’s Special Victims Bureau.

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Wednesday, April 22, 2026

Staten Island Man Indicted for Hate Crime Assault and Robbery
Targeting Muslim Victim on Subway

Victim Thrown to Ground and Robbed in Unprovoked Attack

Brooklyn District Attorney Eric Gonzalez today announced that a Staten Island man has been arraigned on an indictment in which he is charged with robbery and assault as hate crimes and related offenses in connection with an unprovoked attack against a Muslim woman at the Ninth Avenue subway station in Brooklyn.

District Attorney Gonzalez said, “This defendant is accused of a vicious, Islamophobic hate crime against an innocent victim going about her daily life. No one should have to fear violence due to their religious or ethnic background. The impact of these hate-fueled crimes reverberates throughout entire communities and has no place in our society. We will now seek to hold the defendant accountable for his actions.”

The District Attorney identified the defendant as Christopher Nastasa, 39, of Staten Island. He was arraigned today before Brooklyn Supreme Court Justice Danny Chun on a 16-count indictment in which he is charged with second-degree robbery as a hate crime, second-degree robbery, third-degree robbery as a hate crime, third-degree robbery, fourth-degree grand larceny as a hate crime, fourth-degree grand larceny, third-degree assault as a hate crime, third-degree assault, fourth-degree criminal mischief as a hate crime, fourth-degree criminal mischief, petit larceny as a hate crime and related charges. The defendant is being held on bail of $25,000 cash or $50,000 bond. He was ordered to return to court on June 3, 2026.

The District Attorney said that, according to the investigation, on March 17, 2026, at approximately 10:40 a.m., on the platform at the Ninth Avenue subway station in Brooklyn, the defendant stated to the victim, “I wonder how many Iranians we kill today, I think about 500.” The defendant followed the victim and further stated, “I think it’s funny how a terrorist can walk around now, not even your mayor can save you.” The victim started to record the defendant with her cell phone, and the defendant grabbed the victim’s hands and shook the victim, causing the victim to fall to the ground. The defendant then grabbed the victim’s phone and slammed it on the ground before picking it up and throwing it across the train tracks and into a wooded area. The defendant fled the scene on foot. The victim notified MTA staff about the incident and reported the incident to NYPD officers, who were able to recover the victim’s phone from the brush. The defendant was arrested following an investigation.

The case is being prosecuted by Senior Assistant District Attorney Prabhalya Pulim, of the District Attorney’s Hate Crimes Bureau, under the supervision of Assistant District Attorney Kelli M. Muse, Chief of the Hate Crimes Bureau.

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

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Friday, April 17, 2026

Twin Brothers Sentenced in Connection to Sunset Park Murder
Tied to Rikers Island Conspiracy

One Brother Convicted of Killing 21-Year-Old Man After Alliance Formed
While Twin was Incarcerated Led to Targeted Shooting; Second Brother Convicted of Conspiracy

Brooklyn District Attorney Eric Gonzalez today announced that twin brothers have been sentenced in connection to the fatal shooting of a 21-year-old man in a Sunset Park apartment building lobby, a killing that stemmed from a conspiracy that began while one of the defendants was incarcerated on Rikers Island.

District Attorney Gonzalez said, “This murder grew out of a conspiracy formed while one of these defendants was incarcerated and resulted in a calculated act of gun violence that killed a young man and put entire communities at risk. We’ve made historic progress in driving gun violence down in Brooklyn, and we will keep holding accountable those who threaten both the safety of our communities and that progress.”

The District Attorney identified the defendants as Armando Octaviano, 25, of Virginia and Jonny Octaviano, 25, of Sunset Park, Brooklyn. Armando Octaviano was sentenced today by Brooklyn Supreme Court Justice Danny Chun to 24 years to life in prison. He was convicted of second-degree murder, second-degree conspiracy and two counts of second-degree criminal possession of a weapon on March 17, 2026, following a jury trial.

Jonny Octaviano was previously sentenced by Justice Chun on April 1, 2026 to an indeterminate term of five to 15 years in prison. He was convicted of second-degree conspiracy on March 17, 2026, following a jury trial.

The District Attorney said that, according to the evidence, the murder was the result of a conspiracy that began when Jonny Octaviano, while incarcerated on Rikers Island for a separate crime, met an inmate who helped form an alliance between a Brooklyn gang the defendants were associated with and a Manhattan-based gang. In the days leading up to the shooting, the defendants and their associates met in person and agreed to carry out acts of violence together, including the targeted killing in this case.

On October 1, 2021, at approximately 4:50 p.m., while Jonny Octaviano was incarcerated, Armando Octaviano traveled to a residential building near 46th Street and Fifth Avenue in Sunset Park. Once inside the lobby, Armando Octaviano shot 21-year-old Jorge Sanango in the chest, killing him. The defendant fled the scene but was later identified through video evidence and other corroborating proof.

The case was prosecuted by Senior Assistant District Attorney Matthew Perry, of the District Attorney’s Homicide Bureau, and Senior Assistant District Attorney Adam Ghalmi, of the District Attorney’s Green Zone Trial Bureau, with assistance from Intelligence Analyst Hiba Abdullah and Digital Forensic Analyst Christina Stewart, of the District Attorney’s Digital Evidence Lab, and Paralegal Meghan Brancato, 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

Wednesday, April 15, 2026

Brooklyn Man Arraigned on Murder and Other Charges for
Shooting That Killed Infant, Wounded Toddler Brother

Defendant Allegedly Fired into Crowd, Killing Seven-Month-Old and Grazing Her
Two-Year-Old Brother While Both Were in Stroller

Brooklyn District Attorney Eric Gonzalez today announced that a Brooklyn man, Amuri Greene, has been arraigned on an indictment in which he is charged with murder, assault and related counts in connection with a fatal shooting that killed a seven-month-old baby, Kaori Patterson-Moore, and wounded her two-year-old brother while they were being pushed in a stroller by another child on an East Williamsburg street. His co-defendant, Mathew Rodriguez, was arraigned yesterday.

District Attorney Gonzalez said, “On a beautiful spring day, this senseless act of gun violence took the life of an innocent baby, traumatized a family and shook an entire community. Little Kaori was killed, and her two-year-old brother was wounded — all because of a decision to settle a dispute with gunfire, with no regard for who might be harmed. With homicides in Brooklyn at a record low, this is exactly the kind of violence that we must fight against and never accept. We are determined to hold these defendants fully accountable.”

The District Attorney identified the defendant as Amuri Greene, 21, of Brooklyn. He was arraigned today before Brooklyn Supreme Court Justice Danny Chun on an indictment in which he is charged with three counts of second-degree murder, second-degree attempted murder, second-degree assault, two counts of first-degree criminal use of a firearm, two counts of second-degree criminal possession of a weapon, criminal possession of a firearm, first-degree reckless endangerment, and three counts of endangering the welfare of a child. He was ordered held without bail and return to court on June 10, 2026. His co-defendant, Mathew Rodriguez, 18, of Brooklyn, was arraigned on the same indictment yesterday.

The District Attorney said that, according to the investigation, on April 1, 2026, at approximately 1:15 p.m., near the corner of Humboldt Street and Moore Street in East Williamsburg, Brooklyn, the defendants, while acting in concert, allegedly rode on a moped with Rodriguez driving and Greene as a passenger. As the defendants approached a group of adults and children gathered on the street, Greene allegedly pulled out a handgun and fired multiple times into the crowd.

As a result of the shooting, a seven-month-old baby, Kaori Patterson-Moore, who was seated in a stroller, was struck in the head by a bullet and died from her injuries. Her two-year-old brother was grazed by a bullet in the back and survived.

The investigation revealed that the defendants fled the scene on the moped, which struck a vehicle while going the wrong way on a one-way street and crashed a few blocks from the scene of the shooting. Greene was apprehended shortly thereafter, and Rodriguez was later arrested in Pennsylvania.

The case is being prosecuted by Senior Assistant District Attorneys Christopher Mirabella and Jonathan Visotzky, of the District Attorney’s Homicide Bureau, under the supervision of Assistant District Attorney Leila Rosini, Homicide Bureau Chief and overall supervision of Executive Assistant District Attorney Joseph Alexis, Chief of the District Attorney’s Trial Division.

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

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Wednesday, April 15, 2026

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

Thirty-Six Alleged Members of Two Rival Brownsville-Based
Gangs Charged in Two Indictments

36 Shootings, One of Them Fatal, And 10 Non-Fatal Victims,
Including an Innocent Bystander; In Separate Incident Alleged Rival Viciously
Stomped in Gang Assault in the Vicinity of Downtown Brooklyn Courts

Brooklyn District Attorney Eric Gonzalez, together with New York City Police Commissioner Jessica S. Tisch, today announced that 36 alleged members of two rival street gangs known as WOOO and CHOO have been variously charged 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 36 shootings that resulted in 11 victims, including one who died as a result of his injuries. One innocent bystander was struck while putting out the trash.

District Attorney Gonzalez said, “This takedown is one part of our comprehensive strategy to drive down shootings and homicides across Brooklyn. These defendants were allegedly responsible for a remarkable amount of gunfire, with 36 shootings that terrorized Brownsville residents. Our success in focusing on the drivers of crime such as those charged in this indictment, while also working with community groups on preventative efforts, led to record low gun violence in Brooklyn last year with major declines in Brownsville that continued into this year. I commend the NYPD and our prosecutors for their tireless work in keeping our communities safe.”

NYPD Commissioner Tisch said, “The indictments announced today are the culmination of a long-term investigation into some of the most violent criminals in New York City. Their vicious campaign of retaliation and retribution — waged with absolutely no regard for human life — turned every slight into a shootout and terrorized these communities for years. Now, thanks to the targeted, precision policing of the NYPD, these gang members and dozens of guns are off our streets. This is all because of the tireless work of the NYPD’s Gun Violence Suppression Division and our partners in the Brooklyn District Attorney’s Office.”

The defendants were arraigned before Brooklyn Supreme Court Justice Craig Walker and Brooklyn Supreme Court Justice Danny Chun on two separate indictments in which they are variously charged with first-, second- and fourth-degree conspiracy, second-degree murder, second-degree attempted murder, second-degree criminal possession of a weapon, and related charges. There are a total of 188 counts in the indictments against 36 defendants – 16 alleged WOOO members and 20 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 New York City Police Department’s Gun Violence Suppression Division that started in March 2023 and continued through the present. The investigation focused on two street gangs that operate out of several neighboring housing complexes in Brownsville.

On one side is the WOOO/780 alliance, based in the Seth Low Houses, Van Dyke Houses, Langston Hughes Houses, Noble Drew Ali Plaza, and Brownsville Houses. WOOO is made up of numerous subsets, including the larger Gorilla Stone Bloods and Bloodhound Brim Bloods and small neighborhood crews including Young Risk Takers and Brothers Over Everything, and “780” which refers to a neighborhood crew that predominantly operates out of Noble Drew Ali Plaza.

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 gangs, including Folk Nation (also known as Gangster Disciples), Hoodstarz, and the smaller crews Trained to Floxk and Prepared for Anything.  Some WOOO- and CHOO-controlled housing complexes are located on the same street.

The investigation revealed that the acts of violence charged in the indictment, including 35 shootings and one homicide, were motivated by a rivalry between the two alliances of the Brownsville street gangs, the WOOO and the CHOO alliance. The alliances, which were not a single unified gang, but rather a network of distinct gangs or neighborhood crews that operate in alignment based on the shared objectives of establishing and maintaining geographic control and dominance over a shared territory, exacting revenge for violence against the alliance’s members and associates, and working to further enhance the status, prestige, and reputation of their particular group.

While it is alleged that the two groups regularly exchange taunts over music videos and on social media, they also consistently travel to one another’s territory to inflict actual violence.

During the conspiracy period covered in the indictment, there was allegedly one fatal shooting by a WOOO defendant that took the life of a perceived rival, Tahriq Thompson, 34, and 17 shootings involving alleged WOOO defendants which resulted in four non-fatal victims and 13 shootings with no one injured.

Furthermore, the indictment variously charges CHOO defendants with 18 alleged shootings that included six non-fatal shootings with six victims, including one innocent bystander and 12 additional shootings in which no one was injured. Two CHOO members are also charged with gang assault in connection with the stomping of a perceived rival gang member in Downtown Brooklyn.

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.

The homicide charged in the indictment took place on June 29, 2025, at approximately 2:56 a.m., in front of 280 Riverdale Avenue. It is alleged that WOOO defendant Jaden Grant and an unidentified accomplice walked to Riverdale Towers (CHOO territory). The unidentified accomplice allegedly fired multiple shots in the vicinity of 280 Riverdale Avenue, then handed the gun to Grant, who allegedly fired several times before both fled the area. Tariq Thompson, 34, a perceived rival, was struck in the left shoulder. The bullet caused perforations to his lungs and aorta, and he later died.

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

• • On April 22, 2023, at approximately 2:48 p.m., CHOO defendant Bryan Ramos and two unidentified accomplices allegedly went to rival WOOO territory, the Van Dyke Houses, and approached a playground where children were playing and fired multiple rounds across the playground and fled the scene. No one was struck and children can be seen on surveillance videos scrambling to safety to avoid the bullets.

• • On August 1, 2023, at approximately 3:51 p.m., WOOO defendant Deshawn Nimmons (who previously pleaded guilty and is not included in this indictment) walked with a group from Noble Drew Ali Plaza in WOOO territory to Champion Cutz, a barbershop located at 557 Chester Street, where he spotted alleged CHOO rival Jeffrey Thomas inside the barbershop. Nimmons pulled a mask over his face, removed a gun from his sweatshirt and fired into the barbershop, according to surveillance videos. Seconds later, it is alleged, Thomas emerged from the barbershop and returned fire at the group. Instead, he struck a 69-year-old innocent bystander in the torso while he was putting out his trash. Nimmons fled the scene and three blocks from the barbershop allegedly shot a 22-year-old CHOO member in the right arm.

• • On June 12, 2024, at approximately 3:30 p.m., video surveillance allegedly depicts CHOO members Marvellous Ehigiator, Nasir Wade and Tristan McFarlane (who previously pleaded guilty and is not included in this indictment) chasing after a 17-year-old alleged WOOO rival. They chased him into the vicinity of One Metrotech. Wade allegedly caught the victim, threw him to the ground and video surveillance depicts the three of them kicking the victim about his body and head, and Wade jumping with his full body and stomping on the victim’s head. The victim suffered a brain bruise, traumatic brain injury and right lower extremity weakness, and had to undergo extensive rehab to relearn how to use his right leg.

The investigation was conducted by New York City Police Department Detectives Justin Vazquez, Frank Aliberti, Ibrahim Cisse, and Andre O’Hara, of the Gun Violence Suppression Division, under the supervision of Sergeant Michael Lassen. Detective Michael Fung of the 73^rd Precinct assisted with the investigation.

The District Attorney thanked the following for their assistance on the case: Digital Evidence Lab Analysts Brooke Allen, Tim Brown, Taylor Mumley, and Sindy Pelaez, under the supervision of Unit Chief Jingu Chong; Paralegals Myles Edwards, Abigail Marshall, Catherine Prigov, Tania Lopez, and Shanoy Williams, under the supervision of Supervising Paralegal Marta Kuklik; members of the District Attorney’s School Advocacy Bureau; and KCDA Detective Investigators.

The case is being prosecuted by Senior Assistant District Attorneys Winnie Choi, Uchechukwu Enwereuzor, Marjeta Nikolovski, Michael Pesin-Virovets, Lara Litton, and Ashley Thompson, of the District Attorney’s Violent Criminal Enterprises Bureau, under the supervision of Deputy Bureau Chief Gillian DiPietro, First Deputy Bureau Chief Jennifer Cilia, and Bureau Chief Alfred DeIngeniis.

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

 

DEFENDANT ADDENDUM:

WOOO Members:

1. 1. Jamir Barnett, 20
   2. Amir Bryant, 17
   3. Kemari Chance, 19
   4. Anijah Dicks, 23
   5. Kadir Ellison, 18
   6. Jaden Grant, 19
   7. Azir Holliman, 17
   8. Zhaimere Jackson, 18
   9. Amari Johnson, 18
   10. Nahjaa Lawrence, 16
   11. Wynique Lawrence, 18
   12. Darrell Moore, 21
   13. Delor Scarboro, 27
   14. Unique Sparks, 20
   15. Dayshawn Taylor, 21
   16. Prince Teran, 18

CHOO Members

1. 1. Paul Moore, 25
   2. Malik Williams, 20
   3. Quavon Hall, 20
   4. Bryan Ramos, 18
   5. Marvellous Ehigiator, 18
   6. Jeffrey Thomas, 20
   7. Derek Burnett, 19
   8. Naheem Record, 18
   9. Kareem Shepherd, 19
   10. Malachi Demery, 19
   11. Kheyden Graham, 16
   12. Jacob Whitaker, 17
   13. Nathaniel Boston, 17
   14. Jamel Wright, 17
   15. Nasir Wade, 18
   16. Trillion Brown, 16
   17. Jeremiah Johnson, 17
   18. Miles Jordan, 18
   19. Dwayne Sutton, 19
   20. Emilio Cruz, 16

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Tuesday, April 14, 2026

Brooklyn Man Arraigned on Murder and Other Charges for
Shooting That Killed Infant, Wounded Toddler Brother

Defendant Allegedly Drove Moped as Co-Defendant Fired into Crowd,
Killing Seven-Month-Old and Grazing Her Two-Year-Old Brother While Both Were in Stroller

Brooklyn District Attorney Eric Gonzalez today announced that a Brooklyn man, Mathew Rodriguez, has been arraigned on an indictment in which he is charged with murder, assault and related counts in connection with a fatal shooting that killed a seven-month-old baby, Kaori Patterson-Moore, and wounded her two-year-old brother while they were being pushed in a stroller by another child on an East Williamsburg street. His co-defendant will be arraigned tomorrow.

District Attorney Gonzalez said, “On a beautiful spring day, this senseless act of gun violence took the life of an innocent baby, traumatized a family and shook an entire community. Little Kaori was killed, and her two-year-old brother was wounded — all because of a decision to settle a dispute with gunfire, with no regard for who might be harmed. With homicides in Brooklyn at a record low, this is exactly the kind of violence that we must fight against and never accept. We are determined to hold these defendants fully accountable.”

The District Attorney identified the defendant as Mathew Rodriguez, 18, of Brooklyn. He was arraigned today before Brooklyn Supreme Court Justice Danny Chun on an indictment in which he is charged with three counts of second-degree murder, second-degree attempted murder, second-degree assault, two counts of first-degree criminal use of a firearm, two counts of second-degree criminal possession of a weapon, criminal possession of a firearm, first-degree reckless endangerment, three counts of endangering the welfare of a child, tampering with physical evidence, first-degree hindering prosecution and second-degree hindering prosecution. He was ordered held without bail and to return to court on June 10, 2026. His co-defendant, Amuri Greene, 21, of Brooklyn, will be arraigned on the same indictment tomorrow.

The District Attorney said that, according to the investigation, on April 1, 2026, at approximately 1:15 p.m., near the corner of Humboldt Street and Moore Street in East Williamsburg, Brooklyn, the defendants, while acting in concert, allegedly rode on a moped with Rodriguez driving and Greene as a passenger. As the defendants approached a group of adults and children gathered on the street, Greene allegedly pulled out a handgun and fired multiple times into the crowd.

As a result of the shooting, a seven-month-old baby, Kaori Patterson-Moore, who was seated in a stroller, was struck in the head by a bullet and died from her injuries. Her two-year-old brother was grazed by a bullet in the back and survived.

The investigation revealed that the defendants fled the scene on the moped, which struck a vehicle while going the wrong way on a one-way street and crashed a few blocks from the scene of the shooting. Greene was apprehended shortly thereafter, and Rodriguez was later arrested in Pennsylvania.

The case is being prosecuted by Senior Assistant District Attorneys Christopher Mirabella and Jonathan Visotzky, of the District Attorney’s Homicide Bureau, under the supervision of Assistant District Attorney Leila Rosini, Homicide Bureau Chief and overall supervision of Executive Assistant District Attorney Joseph Alexis, Chief of the District Attorney’s Trial Division.

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

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Monday, April 13, 2026

Two Men Sentenced to 45 Years to Life in Prison

Defendants Convicted of Ambush Murder of Alleged Rival in Clinton Hill,
In Retaliation for the Shooting Death of a 900 Gang Member Days Earlier

Brooklyn District Attorney Eric Gonzalez today announced that two men affiliated with the violent 900 street gang have each been sentenced to 45 years to life in prison for the murder of one man and the shooting of two innocent bystanders.

District Attorney Gonzalez said, “These defendants walked into a housing complex in the middle of the afternoon, opened fire, took a life, wounded innocent bystanders and put others at risk. Gun violence is at record lows in Brooklyn precisely because the NYPD and our prosecutors relentlessly focus on the drivers of crime such as these defendants, whose pointless and retaliatory gun violence led to far too much bloodshed. Today’s sentences ensure justice for victims and make Brooklyn safer.”

The District Attorney identified the defendants as Alexander Williams, 29, of Brownsville, Brooklyn and Wydeem Rudd, 26, of the Bronx. The defendants were sentenced today by Brooklyn Supreme Court Justice Donald Leo to 45 years to life in prison. The defendants were convicted of second-degree murder, second-degree attempted murder, two counts of first-degree attempted assault, two counts of second-degree assault, and two counts of second-degree criminal possession of a weapon on November 25, 2025, following a jury trial.

On September 8, 2020, at approximately 3:39 p.m., according to the evidence, Alexander Williams, member of the 900 gang, requested a cab from Rainbow Car Service to pick him up in Brownsville, then to stop along the route to pick up Wydeem Rudd, a 900 associate. The cab dropped the defendants at Clifton and Franklin Avenues, near the Lafayette Gardens housing development in Clinton Hill.

The defendants, wearing hoods and masks, walked through Lafayette Gardens, entered the rear of 456 DeKalb Avenue, and then walked to the front of the building. The defendants then ambushed Tylee Felder, 24, who was standing in front of the building. Rudd and Williams shot Felder six times, including in the head, killing him. Rudd then fired into a crowd outside of the building, shooting and wounding two innocent bystanders, a 23-year-old man and a 24-year-old man.

The defendants then fled through the rear of the building and were captured on several surveillance videos. Both removed their sweatshirts, revealing unique arm tattoos. Rudd also removed his mask.

The case was investigated by detectives from the New York City Police Department’s Gun Violence Suppression Division, the 79^th Precinct Detective Squad, and the Brooklyn North Homicide Squad.

The case was prosecuted by Senior Assistant District Attorney Nicholas Ford and Senior Assistant District Attorney Fabiola Marrufo, of the District Attorney’s Violent Criminal Enterprises Bureau, with assistance from Forensic Digital Analyst Kelly Crawford and Senior Digital Forensic Analyst Sourov Talulkder, of the District Attorney’s Digital Evidence Lab, and under the supervision of Assistant District Attorney Jennifer Cilia, First Deputy Bureau Chief of VCE, and Assistant District Attorney Alfred DeIngeniis, Bureau Chief.

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Wednesday, April 1, 2026

Brooklyn Man Indicted for Hate Crime Assault and Robbery
Targeting Jewish Victim on Subway

Victim Repeatedly Punched on Subway in Unprovoked Attack

Brooklyn District Attorney Eric Gonzalez today announced that a Brooklyn man has been arraigned on an indictment in which he is charged with robbery and assault as hate crimes and related offenses in connection with an unprovoked attack against a Jewish man in the Atlantic Avenue-Barclays Center subway station in Brooklyn. The victim was targeted while wearing religious attire when the incident occurred.

District Attorney Gonzalez said, “This defendant is accused of brutally assaulting a man in an unprovoked and senseless act of anti-Semitic hate. The impact of crimes like this radiates through entire communities and we will seek strong accountability because we have no tolerance for hate fueled violence in Brooklyn.”

The District Attorney identified the defendant as Neil Hurlock, 20, of Brooklyn. He was arraigned today before Brooklyn Supreme Court Justice Danny Chun on an indictment in which he is charged with second-degree robbery as a hate crime, second-degree robbery, third-degree robbery as a hate crime, third-degree robbery, third-degree assault as a hate crime, , third-degree assault, petit larceny as a hate crime, petit larceny, third-degree menacing as a hate crime, third-degree menacing, and second-degree aggravated harassment. The defendant is on supervised release and was ordered to return to court on June 3, 2026.

The District Attorney said that, according to the investigation, on March 2, 2026, at approximately 10:45 a.m., in the Atlantic Avenue-Barclays Center subway station, the defendant, wearing a full-face black mask, allegedly followed the victim aboard a Coney Island-bound N train. The defendant allegedly stood by the train door and punched the victim in the face. He then allegedly entered the train car and punched the victim in the face again, before picking the victim up and continuing to punch the victim multiple times. The defendant allegedly threw the victim on the seats before once again punching the victim in the face multiple times. The defendant was captured on surveillance video from the moment he departed his residence to the moment he got off the Astoria-bound N train at Canal.

According to the investigation, the defendant allegedly called the victim a “F—ing Jew” during the attack. The victim was reading a religious text and wearing full religious clothing including a kippah and a gartel at the time of the alleged offense. The defendant allegedly removed this kippah from the victim’s head before fleeing the scene on an Astoria-bound N train while still in possession of the kippah. The defendant’s cell phone fell out of his pocket as he fled the scene and was recovered by the victim.

The victim remained on the Coney Island-bound N train until the 56th Street station, at which point he called 911 and was transported to SUNY Downstate Hospital, where he received medical attention for pain, bruising and swelling about the face and head, and cuts about the hands.

An NYPD detective interviewed the victim at the hospital and collected the defendant’s phone as evidence. A search warrant executed on the phone revealed the phone number. The defendant was arrested following an investigation.

The District Attorney thanked Hate Crimes Paralegal Qetsiyah Hillaire for her assistance on the case.

The case was investigated by New York City Police Detective Steven Acevedo of the Hate Crimes Task Force.

The case is being prosecuted by Senior Assistant District Attorney Samantha Perlstein, of the District Attorney’s Hate Crimes Bureau, under the supervision of Assistant District Attorney Kelli M. Muse, Chief of the Hate Crimes Bureau.

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

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Monday, March 30, 2026

Brooklyn Man Sentenced to Five Years in Prison
For Gunpoint Robbery of Crown Heights Bodega

Bought Black Ski Mask and Used it to Rob Same Bodega Minutes Later

Brooklyn District Attorney Eric Gonzalez today announced that a Brooklyn man has been sentenced to five years in prison for a gunpoint robbery in which he threatened to kill a bodega worker. The defendant stopped by the same bodega 20 minutes before the robbery and purchased a black ski mask he wore during the robbery.

District Attorney Gonzalez said, “This brazen defendant not only robbed a business that had just provided him a service, but he also put a hard-working employee in grave danger. We have zero tolerance for gun crimes in Brooklyn, where shootings and homicides continue to reach record lows, and will continue to vigorously prosecute those who use firearms and threaten our communities.”

The District Attorney identified the defendant as Michael Bellevue, 26, of Crown Heights, Brooklyn. He was sentenced today by Brooklyn Supreme Court Justice Adam Perlmutter to five years in prison followed by five years’ post-release supervision (prosecutors recommended a 12-year sentence). The defendant was convicted of one count of first-degree robbery on December 2, 2025, following a jury trial.

The District Attorney said that, according to trial testimony, on January 15, 2024, the defendant purchased multiple items, including a black ski mask, from a bodega at 401 Schenectady Avenue in Crown Heights, where he was recognized by the victim as a regular, everyday customer. Roughly twenty minutes later, the defendant re-entered the bodega armed with a loaded black firearm and wearing the black ski mask. He pointed the firearm at the victim — the same bodega employee from whom he had purchased the ski mask — and demanded cash from the register, saying “give me the money or I’m going to kill you.”

The defendant then pointed the firearm at the victim’s head, according to the evidence, but the victim was able to grab the firearm, which then discharged. The victim dove out of the way, narrowly escaping being struck by a bullet. As the victim dove, the defendant reached over the counter, grabbed cash out of the open register, and fled.

The defendant was apprehended on January 19, 2024, following an investigation.

The District Attorney thanked KCDA Detective Investigators, as well as Supervising Paralegal James Morales and Paralegal Yazmin Pinkston-Hippolyte, of the District Attorney’s Red Zone Trial Bureau, for their assistance on the case.

The case was prosecuted by Senior Assistant District Attorney Carly Muth, of the District Attorney’s Special Victims Bureau (formerly of the Red Zone Trial Bureau) and Senior Assistant District Attorney Amelia Digirolamo, of the Red Zone, under the supervision of Assistant District Attorney Andrea Orlando and Assistant District Attorney Rene Plattner, Deputy Bureau Chiefs, and Assistant District Attorney Karla Watson, Red Zone Bureau Chief.

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Thursday, March 26, 2026

Brooklyn Man Sentenced to 25 Years to Life in Prison for Breaking into Elderly Neighbor’s Apartment and Sexually Assaulting Her

Defendant Strangled Victim Twice, Causing Her to Lose Consciousness

Brooklyn District Attorney Eric Gonzalez today announced that a Crown Heights man has been sentenced to 25 years to life in prison for breaking into the home of his 81-year-old neighbor while she slept, strangling her twice until she lost consciousness and sexually assaulting her inside her residence, causing severe injuries and brain damage.

District Attorney Gonzalez said, “This defendant broke into the home of an 81-year-old woman in the middle of the night and subjected her to a brutal, terrifying assault that left lasting injuries and stole from her the safety she deserved in her own home. Today’s sentence ensures he will spend many years behind bars for the devastating harm he caused. My heart is with this survivor, whose courage throughout this case has been extraordinary, and we will continue to pursue justice for anyone who targets the most vulnerable members of our communities.”

The District Attorney identified the defendant as Thomas Johnson, 54, of Brownsville, Brooklyn. He was sentenced today by Brooklyn Supreme Court Justice Donald Leo to 25 years to life in prison. The defendant was convicted of first-degree burglary, first-degree sexual abuse, second-degree assault as a sexually motivated felony and second-degree strangulation as a sexually motivated felony on January 20, 2026, following a jury trial.

The District Attorney said that, according to the evidence, on September 27, 2022, at approximately 3 a.m., the 81-year-old victim was asleep in her bedroom inside her Crown Heights residence when she was awakened by a loud noise. When she got out of bed, the victim observed the defendant inside her second bedroom and asked the defendant what he was doing there. The defendant grabbed her and began strangling and physically assaulting her, causing her to lose consciousness. When she regained consciousness, she realized that she no longer had underwear on.

As she attempted to crawl for help, the defendant came up behind her and put his hands around her neck and applied pressure, strangling her until she lost consciousness a second time. When the victim again regained consciousness, she was able to crawl to the front door of her apartment and call out for help. The woman’s upstairs neighbors, who are related to the defendant, came down to help and called 911. The defendant was arrested in a hallway outside the victim’s residence.

As a result of the attack, the victim suffered pain in her neck, difficulty breathing, swelling to her face, extensive hemorrhaging in her eyes, bleeding from her mouth and nose, a dislocated jaw and injuries to her genitals. The strangulations deprived her brain of oxygen for a significant period, causing brain damage that reduced the level of self-sufficiency she had prior to the attack.

The District Attorney thanked Talia Orband of the Victim Services Unit for her assistance in this case.

The case was prosecuted by Senior Assistant District Attorney Daniel Brian Newcombe and Assistant District Attorney Elizabeth Gomez, with the assistance of Supervising Paralegal Jennifer Hernandez, of the District Attorney’s Special Victims Bureau, under the supervision of Assistant District Attorney Perry Cerrato, Deputy Bureau Chief, Assistant District Attorney Olatokunbo Olaniyan, 1st Deputy Bureau Chief, and under the overall supervision of Assistant District Attorney Miss Gregory, Bureau Chief.

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