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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Thursday, April 17, 2025

Three Defendants Sentenced in Connection with Fatal Shooting of

17-Year-Old Boy in Ambush Outside Midwood Charter School

The Homicide Intensified a Years-Long Gang War in Brooklyn

Brooklyn District Attorney Eric Gonzalez today announced that three alleged gang members have been variously sentenced for the fatal shooting of Devonte Lewis in broad daylight outside of the victim’s Midwood charter school shortly after dismissal. The two shooters in the case were sentenced to 14 years to life and 15 years to life, respectively. A third defendant was sentenced to 10 years in prison.

District Attorney Gonzalez said, “These defendants, who were just 15 and 16 years old at the time, laid in wait and opened fire at their target outside a school—killing him and ruining their own entire futures. We vigorously prosecute and hold responsible gang members who engage in gun violence, which is part of the reason Brooklyn is experiencing a dramatic reduction in shootings. My thoughts today are with Devonte Lewis’s heartbroken mother and loved ones.”

The District Attorney identified the defendants as Malachi Simms, 19, Quran Smith, 20, and Frantzy Alexandre, 20, all of Flatbush, Brooklyn. Smith was sentenced today by Brooklyn Supreme Court Justice Matthew Blum to 15 years to life in prison. Simms and Alexandre were sentenced by Justice Blum to 14 years to life in prison and 10 years in prison, respectively, on Tuesday, April 15. Smith and Simms pleaded guilty to second-degree murder on March 17, 2025, and Alexandre pleaded guilty to first-degree manslaughter on the same day.

The District Attorney said that, according to the investigation, on April 29, 2021, at approximately 2:40 p.m., Simms and Smith, each armed with a firearm, fatally shot an alleged gang rival, Devonte Lewis, a.k.a. Dior, 17, as he was leaving Urban Dove Charter School, a high school, on East 21^st Street near Avenue K. Alexandre accompanied the defendants to the school and was observed passing the firearm to Simms just before Simms fired the shots at Lewis. All three of the defendants belonged to the Folk No Love City gang.

Surveillance video shows the three defendants waited outside the school and hid behind the victim’s car until the moment they shot him. The video shows both defendants raising their arms to chest height to fire at the victim and continuing to fire after he falls to the ground.

Alexandre and Simms both got into the victim’s car right after the shooting and attempted to drive it away, before fleeing on foot to Simms’ house together. Smith fled the scene immediately after the shooting and went directly to Simms’ house.

The victim, a first-year Urban Dove student who had recently started a maintenance job with the New York City Housing Authority, suffered a gunshot wound to the stomach and was taken to Kings County Hospital, where he died. Lewis was an alleged member of the Bloodhound Brims, who are rivals of Folk Nation and its subsets. His murder intensified the longstanding rivalry and led to a years-long war.

Police officers recovered .380 and 9mm shell casings and one live 9mm round at the scene of the shooting. A loaded .380 Taurus Spectrum Pistol fell out of defendant Smith’s pants when he was arrested on May 19, 2021 – and this gun was a microscopic match to the shell casings found at the scene.

The case was prosecuted by Assistant District Attorney Gillian DiPietro, Deputy Chief of the District Attorney’s Violent Criminal Enterprises Bureau, under the supervision of Assistant District Attorneys Matthew Stewart, VCE Deputy Chief and Jennifer Cilia, VCE First Deputy Bureau Chief, and the overall supervision of Assistant District Attorney Alfred DeIngeniis, VCE Bureau Chief.

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Wednesday, April 16, 2025

Brooklyn Driver Who Killed Mother and Two Daughters While Allegedly Speeding Through a Red Light Indicted for Manslaughter

Allegedly Blew Steady Red Light While Going Nearly Triple the Speed Limit

And Plowed Through Pedestrians in the Crosswalk

Brooklyn District Attorney Eric Gonzalez today announced that a Brooklyn woman has been arraigned on an indictment charging her with reckless manslaughter and other charges for allegedly speeding through a steady red light before crashing into an Uber that was waiting for a family to finish crossing the street, plowing through the pedestrians as her car rolled over. A 34-year-old mother and her daughters, 5 and 8, died from the impact, and her 4-year-son suffered serious injuries.

District Attorney Gonzalez said, “This horrific fatal crash was one of the worst I’ve seen in over 25 years as a prosecutor. It wasn’t an accident. This defendant’s unconscionably dangerous driving wiped out a family. The consequences of her flouting traffic laws and commonsense were disastrous, and we will now seek to hold her fully accountable for this criminally reckless behavior.”

The District Attorney identified the defendant as Miriam Yarimi, 32, of Midwood, Brooklyn. She was arraigned today by Brooklyn Supreme Court Justice Danny Chun on an indictment charging her with multiple counts of second-degree manslaughter, criminally negligent homicide, second-degree assault, and other related counts. She was ordered held without bail and to return to court on June 11, 2025. The defendant is facing a maximum sentence of five to 15 years in prison if convicted of the top count.

The District Attorney said that, according to the investigation, on March 29, 2025, at approximately 1:00 p.m., the defendant was driving a 2023 Audi, turning onto Ocean Parkway. Video surveillance shows her car drive through a red light a block before the crash, narrowly avoiding other cars and continue north on Ocean Parkway.

At the next intersection, with Quentin Road, the mother, Natasha Saada, 34, was crossing Ocean Parkway from west to east, holding hands with her three children, Diana, 8, Deborah, 5, and Philip, 4. The evidence shows that a Toyota Camry was in the process of turning right from Quentin Road onto Ocean Parkway and was waiting for the pedestrians to finish crossing.

When the family was a step or two from the sidewalk, the Audi driven by the defendant sped through the intersection against the light, smashed into the back of the turning Toyota and plowed through the victims with her car continuing to roll over, stopping about 130 feet away. According to evidence obtained from the black box, the Audi was traveling at about 68 mph (in a 25-mph zone), was at full throttle (suggesting the gas pedal was floored) and zero brake was applied.

The mother and two daughters were killed at the scene. Her son suffered skull fractures, brain bleeding and had a kidney removed. The Toyota had five occupants – the Uber driver, a mother and her three kids – who sustained minor injuries. The Audi ended up upside down and had to be cut to get the defendant out. She suffered minor physical injuries.

The District Attorney thanked detectives from the NYPD’s Collision Investigation Squad for their assistance in the investigation.

The case is being prosecuted by Assistant District Attorney Michael Boykin, Deputy Bureau Chief of the District Attorney’s Green Zone Trial Bureau, and Assistant District Attorney Aaron Gauthier, of the Green Zone, with assistance from Jennifer Nocella, Chief of the Street Safety Bureau, Paralegals Devi Kempadoo and Lauryn Mordaunt, of the Street safety Bureau, and Green Zone Supervising Paralegal Aneudy Mata, under the supervision of Assistant District Attorney Frank DeGaetano, Chief of the Green Zone.

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

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Monday, April 14, 2025

Retired Police Officer Indicted for Unlawfully Searching NYPD Database and Sending Information to Friend in Alleged Bribery Scheme

Unauthorized Shared Info Included Arrest Warrants, Incident Reports and More,
Pertaining to the Friend – who was also charged – and Suspects in ATM Burglary Ring

Brooklyn District Attorney Eric Gonzalez today announced that a former police officer and his alleged accomplice have been indicted for an alleged bribery scheme in which the officer allegedly conducted unauthorized searches while assigned to Brooklyn Criminal Court. The information, which included confidential reports and warrants, was allegedly exchanged for promised monetary payments.

District Attorney Gonzalez said, “This defendant allegedly betrayed his badge when he provided confidential information to people accused of crimes. This was a shocking abuse of the trust he was granted and an example of corruption that could have led to serious public safety consequences. We have now indicted him and his alleged bribery partner and will work to hold them responsible.”

The District Attorney identified the defendants as Richard Arce, 54, of Yonkers, NY and Raymond Ramos, 42, of the Bronx. Arce was arraigned today before Brooklyn Supreme Court Justice Danny Chun on a 114-count indictment charging him with third-degree bribe receiving, fifth- and sixth-degree conspiracy, unauthorized use of a computer, and official misconduct. He was arrested last week by U.S. Marshals in the Dominican Republic. Ramos was arraigned in January 2025 on third-degree bribery, second-degree rewarding official misconduct, and fifth-degree conspiracy. Arce was released without bail and both defendants were ordered to return to court on May 7, 2025.

The District Attorney said that Arce was an NYPD officer from 2008 until he retired in 2023. He served in the Transit Bureau in the Bronx, and in February 2022, he was assigned to the Brooklyn Criminal Court section at 120 Schermerhorn Street. It is alleged that from approximately March 2021 through February 2023, Arce ran unauthorized searches for proprietary law enforcement information at the request of Ramos in exchange for promises of typically $40 to $50 per search.

The investigation revealed over 70 unauthorized searches for individuals including Ramos, Alexander Torres and Jesus Cedeno – who are defendants in an ATM burglary ring case, as well as other associates of Ramos. The searches were for arrest warrants, police reports and for license plates associated with vehicles owned or operated by Ramos. He allegedly ran these searches despite directives from the NYPD Patrol Guide, which requires NYPD officers to make inquiries which relate to official business only, and to only divulge information obtained from the system for valid law enforcement purposes. Arce allegedly used his NYPD issued cell phone to transmit the information via text messages.

For instance, the evidence shows that on October 23, 2022, Arce, while assigned to Criminal Court, texted Ramos two screenshots, one showing that Ramos had an active bench warrant from the Bronx. The next day, Arce texted, “Don’t forget the $25 cuz.” On November 11, 2022, Arce provided Ramos information indicating that he is a suspect in a commercial burglary in Manhattan, which included the name and contact information of the complainant.

The evidence further shows that, on November 1, 2022, Arce sent screenshots pertaining to Alexander Torres, which indicated he had two suspect warrants. The next day, Ramos asked for information about Jesus Cedeno, to which Arce replied, “Nope. No $. No Honey.” Torres and Cedeno were later indicted for participating in numerous burglaries of ATM machines. They have since pleaded guilty.

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

The District Attorney thanked the U.S. Department of State’s Diplomatic Security Service for their assistance in apprehending the defendant.

The District Attorney thanked the KCDA Detective Investigators for their assistance on this case.

The case is being prosecuted by Senior Assistant District Attorneys Nicole Lauterbach and Corey Hardin, of the District Attorney’s Frauds Bureau, under the supervision of Assistant District Attorney Gregory Pavlides, Bureau Chief, and Assistant District Attorney Michel Spanakos, Deputy Chief of the District Attorney’s Investigations Division, and the overall supervision of Assistant District Attorney Patricia McNeill, Chief of the Investigations Division.

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

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Friday, April 11, 2025

Five Individuals Indicted for Conspiracy and Sex Trafficking

Defendants Variously Charged in Connection with Trafficking of

 19-Year-Old and 15-Year-Old Girls in Brooklyn, North Carolina, and Albany

Brooklyn District Attorney Eric Gonzalez today announced that three men and two women are variously charged in a 14-count indictment with conspiracy, sex trafficking, sex trafficking of a child, promoting prostitution and related charges.

District Attorney Gonzalez said, “These defendants allegedly preyed on vulnerable young women using violence, threats, and psychological coercion to traffic them across multiple states for profit. We are fully committed to protecting at-risk youth from this kind of exploitation and will use every legal tool available to hold traffickers accountable and deliver justice for the survivors.”

The District Attorney identified the defendants as Layquan Highsmith, 30, of Brooklyn; Ronasia Robinson, 31, of Troy, New York; Tyshawn Crawford, 29, of Brooklyn; Richard Baker, 45, of Brooklyn; and Eyecess Chapman, 24, of Brooklyn. They were variously arraigned today and over the past few weeks in Brooklyn Supreme Court on a 14-count indictment in which they are variously charged with fourth- and fifth-degree conspiracy, sex trafficking, sex trafficking of a child, second-, third- and fourth-degree promoting prostitution, endangering the welfare of a child, second-degree unlawful imprisonment, and permitting prostitution. They were ordered to return to court on May 21, 2025.

The District Attorney said that, on October 5, 2024, one of the victims, a 19-year-old female, went to a concert in Times Square and was allegedly approached by Layquan Highsmith and several women. The defendant allegedly displayed a firearm and told the victim to get into a car with the group. She was driven to an apartment in Crown Heights, Brooklyn.

Initially, the victim was allegedly forced to engage in sexual acts for money by Highsmith, Ronasia Robinson, Richard Baker, and Eyecess Chapman. All the money that was earned would allegedly go to Baker and Chapman and a cut would go to Highsmith.

Several days later, it is alleged, the victim was driven to North Carolina by Robinson and Highsmith and forced to engage in prostitution in several different cities. She was then brought back to New York and forced to engage in prostitution in Brooklyn and in the Albany/Troy region. In mid-October, it is alleged, a 15-year-old that had been reported missing joined the group and along with the first victim was allegedly sex trafficked by Highsmith, Robinson and Crawford.

It is alleged that Highsmith and Crawford were violent with the 19-year-old and beat her when she wanted to leave. One another occasion, it is alleged, Crawford took the victim’s phone and broke it when she was trying to contact her family.

On October 31, 2024, it is alleged, Robinson, Crawford and Highsmith brought the two victims to North Carolina to stay at hotels in three cities, where they recruited several other young women who were allegedly engaging in prostitution for Highsmith and Crawford.

Sexually explicit photos of the victims were used for online advertisements allegedly posted by the defendants.

On November 6, 2024, at the Red Roof Inn in Wilmington, N.C., the 19-year-old used a hotel phone to call 911 and report being suicidal. Police responded and she was brought to a hospital. She was released from the hospital on November 10, 2024, and given a Greyhound bus ticket to go back to her hometown in upstate New York. While at the Port Authority bus terminal looking for her gate, she was approached by Port Authority police and disclosed being trafficked in Brooklyn, Albany/Troy and North Carolina.

On January 27, 2025, the grand jury returned an indictment and arrest warrants were issued for all the defendants.

On February 6, 2025, prostitution advertisements were discovered with images of the missing 15-year-old victim as well as Robinson that were posted in Troy, NY. Investigators from the New York State Police obtained a search warrant and recovered the missing minor and placed Robinson under arrest.

On February 21, 2025, pursuant to the arrest warrant, Tyshawn Crawford was apprehended in Florida by the United States Marshal Service Fugitive Task Force and was extradited to New York City.

The case was investigated by New York City Police Department Detective James Rufle and Detective Kevin Deleon of the joint FBI-NYPD Child Exploitation and Human Trafficking Task Force and citywide Human Trafficking Squad, under the supervision of Lieutenant Joseph Picarello, Lieutenant Amy Capogna, Sergeant Kevin Kavanaugh, and Captain Maripily Clase, commanding officer of the Human Trafficking Squad, and the overall supervision of Chief Carlos Ortiz.

The District Attorney thanked Police Officer Tim Dewyngaert of the Wilmington, N.C., Police Department, Detective Joseph Wechsler of the Henrico, Virginia Police Division, Police Officer Sean Kehoe, Counselor Jacquelyn Wells and Sergeant Charles DePrima, of the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey Police Department Youth Services Unit, New York State Police Investigator Sean Tashjian and his team, for their assistance on the case, as well as the United States Marshals Service and Fearless! Hudson Valley.

Additionally, the District Attorney thanked KCDA Deputy Chief Janette Lukowsky of the District Attorney’s Law Enforcement Assistance Unit, Human Trafficking Unit Deputy Chief Mary E. Monahan, Paralegal Specialist Aurora Martinez, Paralegal Aaliyah Antrobus, Social Worker Raquel Alger and Digital Evidence Lab Digital Forensic Analyst Taylor Mumley for their work on the case.

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

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

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Wednesday, April 09, 2025

Driver Who Allegedly Blew Through Stop Sign and Struck School Bus,
Killing His Own Passenger, Arraigned on Indictment for Manslaughter

Defendant Allegedly Fled the Scene in an Uber Before Being Arrested

Brooklyn District Attorney Eric Gonzalez today announced that a man has been arraigned on an indictment charging him with manslaughter and related charges for allegedly speeding and blowing through a stop sign, before crashing into a school bus, leaving his 26-year-old passenger dead and the school bus driver injured. No passengers were on the bus at the time of the incident.

District Attorney Gonzalez said, “The tragic loss of Imani Vance was allegedly caused by the defendant’s reckless decision to ignore a stop sign and drive at excessive speeds. His actions showed a shocking disregard for human life and safety, made worse by his attempt to flee the scene instead of helping the victim. We are committed to holding him fully accountable and will continue to prioritize the safety of every Brooklyn resident.”

The District Attorney identified the defendant as Tyree Epps, 32, of Brooklyn. He was arraigned today by Brooklyn Supreme Court Justice Dineen Riviezzo on an indictment in which he is charged with second-degree manslaughter, criminally negligent homicide, second-degree assault, leaving the scene of an incident without reporting, disobeying stop signs, driving in excess of maximum speed limits, and unlicensed driver. He was ordered held without bail and to return to court on June 20, 2025.

The District Attorney said that, according to the investigation, on February 27, 2025, at approximately 1:15 p.m., the defendant was driving a 2008 Mercedes-Benz C300 southbound on Van Sinderen Avenue towards Blake Avenue in East New York with a passenger, Imani Vance, 26, in the front seat. At the corner of Van Sinderen and Blake, the defendant allegedly blew through a stop sign at a high rate of speed and collided with a school bus that was driving on Blake Avenue. When the defendant allegedly crashed into the school bus his passenger was thrown into the windshield and hit her head. When the defendant hit the bus, it crashed into a third, unoccupied vehicle. The bus driver, a 57-year-old woman, suffered minor injuries.

Imani Vance was taken to Brookdale Hospital where she was pronounced dead due to blunt impact injuries to the torso, including a laceration to the heart.

The defendant allegedly fled the crash scene on foot, jumped into an Uber, and ordered the driver to drive away. Police had a description of the Uber and were able to stop it, at which time the defendant alleged fled on foot and was chased and apprehended by the NYPD.

The case is being prosecuted by Senior Assistant District Attorney Jennifer DaRin, of the District Attorney’s Red Zone Trial Bureau, under the supervision of Assistant District Attorney Christopher Velez, Deputy Chief of the Street Safety Bureau, and Assistant District Attorney Andrea Orlando, Deputy Chief of the Red Zone, and the overall supervision of Assistant District Attorney Karla Watson, Chief of the Red Zone.

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

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Wednesday, April 09, 2025

Man Who Shot and Killed One Man, Injured Another in Bushwick, And Then Shot at a Police Officer in Bedford-Stuyvesant Sentenced to 40 Years to Life in Prison

Defendant Fled from Homicide and When Confronted by Police Officers, Opened Fire

Brooklyn District Attorney Eric Gonzalez today announced that a Brooklyn man has been sentenced to 40 years to life in prison for fatally shooting one man, shooting and injuring another man and then opening fire at a police officer a short time later – striking and injuring the officer.

District Attorney Gonzalez said, “This defendant brazenly opened fire twice in one night, killing one man and seriously wounding two others, including a police officer. Thankfully, they both recovered, and the defendant was apprehended immediately. Today’s sentence holds him accountable for his actions.”

The District Attorney identified the defendant as Boyce Hayward, 30, of Bushwick, Brooklyn. He was sentenced today by Brooklyn Supreme Court Justice Danny Chun to 40 years to life in prison. The defendant was convicted of second-degree murder, first-degree assault, two counts of first-degree criminal use of a firearm, second-degree attempted murder, and two counts of second-degree criminal possession of a weapon on February 21, 2025, following a jury trial.

The District Attorney said that, according to the evidence, on May 12, 2021, at approximately 11:11 p.m., at the corner of Madison Street and Broadway, in the confines of the 83rd Precinct, the defendant approached a BMW SUV stopped at a light and fired multiple shots into the vehicle’s passenger side window, striking and killing Randall Roberts, 28, and seriously injuring the driver of the vehicle. The defendant then walked away from the scene. The shooting was witnessed by an off-duty police officer who provided a detailed description of the defendant.

Minutes later, at approximately 11:15 p.m., the defendant was observed walking along Howard Avenue, near Saratoga Park, between Halsey Street and Macon Street in the 83rd Precinct, about four blocks from where he had just shot and killed Randall Roberts.

Police Officers Brian McGurran, Matthew Perry and Sergeant Kevin Beasley, of the 81st Precinct, saw the defendant after they received information regarding the shooting at Madison Street and Broadway.

Police Officer McGurran walked towards the defendant, who immediately turned around and fired at Officer McGurran multiple times. The police officers returned fire, including Officer McGurran, who was struck multiple times. The defendant was also struck.

The evidence showed that the defendant fired at Officer McGurran at least five times, with two of those shots striking him – one in his vest and one in his buttocks and through his thigh. The defendant was shot in the buttocks by police.

The District Attorney thanked Executive Paralegal Franklyn Arias, Homicide Paralegal John Homnick, Intelligence Analyst Selena Collado, of the Digital Evidence Lab, NYPD Detective Vincent DeMarino, of the 83rd Precinct, NYPD Detective James McDermott of the Force Investigation Division, and Retired Detective Alexander Grandstaff, of Brooklyn North Homicide for there work on this case.

The case was prosecuted by Senior Assistant District Attorney Robert P. Schwartz, of the District Attorney’s Homicide Bureau, and Executive Assistant District Attorney Joseph P. Alexis, Chief of the Trial Division.

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Thursday, April 03, 2025

Hit-and-Run Driver Sentenced to up to 12 Years in Prison for
Killing Woman on Motorized Scooter in Bedford Stuyvesant

Defendant Did Not Stop After He Sped Through Red Light and Collided with Victim

Brooklyn District Attorney Eric Gonzalez today announced that a Brownsville man has been sentenced to four to 12 years in prison following his guilty plea to reckless manslaughter in connection with a fatal hit-and-run in Bedford Stuyvesant, Brooklyn. The defendant sped through a red light and struck the 43-year-old victim on a motorized scooter before leaving the scene.

District Attorney Gonzalez said, “This defendant was speeding and ran a red light, causing a tragic crash that took a women’s life. After a thorough investigation, he has now been held accountable for his reckless and criminal conduct. My office is committed to improving the safety of Brooklyn’s streets, and I hope the family and friends of Bernadine Lewis find a measure of solace with today’s sentence, knowing this defendant has been held responsible and will be off our roadways.”

The District Attorney identified the defendant as Mike Josie, 26, of Brownsville, Brooklyn. He was sentenced today by Brooklyn Supreme Court Justice Christopher Robles to an indeterminate sentence of four to 12 years in prison. The defendant pleaded guilty to second-degree manslaughter on February 24, 2025.

The District Attorney said that, according to the evidence, on June 24, 2022, at about 2:14 a.m., the defendant was driving a Hyundai Elantra west on Lexington Avenue when he ran a red light at the intersection of Throop Avenue. The defendant was traveling in excess of 45 m.p.h. in a 25-m.p.h. zone when he struck the victim, Bernadine Lewis, 43, in the intersection. The collision knocked the victim off her moped and onto the ground.

Furthermore, according to the evidence, video surveillance captured the defendant driving off without stopping. The defendant never reported the collision to police.

Ms. Lewis was taken to Kings County Hospital where she died of her injuries.

The defendant was arrested on April 18, 2023, following an investigation led by NYPD’s Collision Investigation Squad.

This case was prosecuted by Assistant District Attorney Kaitlin Kinsella, of the District Attorney’s Blue Zone Trial Bureau, under the supervision of Assistant District Attorney Kin Ng, Chief of the Blue Zone.

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Thursday, April 03, 2025

Brooklyn District Attorney Eric Gonzalez and the NYPD 

To Offer $500 for Handguns at Bedford-Stuyvesant Gun Buyback

Will be Held at Cornerstone Baptist Church on Saturday, April 5

No ID Required, No Questions Asked

Brooklyn District Attorney Eric Gonzalez and New York City Police Commissioner Jessica S. Tisch today announced that a Gun Buyback event will be held on Saturday, April 5, 2025, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., at Cornerstone Baptist Church, located at 574 Madison Street in Bed-Stuy, Brooklyn. Those who turn in operable guns and assault rifles will receive a $500 bank card.

Media availability will take place on Saturday, April 5, 2025, at 4 p.m. (members of the press are asked not to arrive before 3:30 p.m.).

District Attorney Gonzalez said, “Brooklyn made historic progress in reducing gun violence last year, with shootings at their lowest level on record and homicides significantly down. That progress is continuing in 2025, and our gun buyback events have played a meaningful role, with more than 500 firearms turned in over the past few years. This Saturday, every New Yorker has an opportunity to safely turn in a gun, reduce the risk of harm, earn some money, and help make our neighborhoods safer.”

NYPD Commissioner Tisch said, “The NYPD’s intensified efforts to combat gun violence are paying off — shootings are down a record 23 percent this year, and more than 1,300 illegal firearms have been taken off our streets. Each gun removed is a life potentially saved, a tragedy averted — and a step toward safer communities. That’s why programs like this are so essential. We’re proud to continue our partnership with the Brooklyn District Attorney’s Office and Cornerstone Baptist Church to help keep the safest big city in America even safer.”

Pastor Lawrence E. Aker III of Cornerstone Baptist Church said, “Cornerstone is intentional about partnering with the District Attorney’s Office to get guns off the street. We will continue to collaborate to create a safe community and improve the quality of life for all of Brooklyn. We look forward to once again sharing in this initiative with DA Eric Gonzalez and the NYPD.”

The District Attorney said that his office will offer money in the form of a $500 bank card for each operable gun or assault rifle turned in. There will be an offer of a $200 bank card for ghost guns or 3D printed guns with a maximum of two per person. Participants will also receive a $75 bank card for each rifle or shotgun and a $25 bank card for each air gun, imitation pistol or a non-operable firearm. Two ghost gun limit per participant and three guns in total per participant.

No identification is required, and all transactions will be anonymous, no questions asked.

The bank cards will be issued after each firearm is received and screened by officers on site. Guns should be unloaded and packaged in a paper or plastic bag or a box when brought to the event. If transported by car, the guns must be kept in the trunk. Both working and inoperable weapons will be accepted. Active or retired law enforcement officers and licensed gun dealers are not eligible for this event.

Cornerstone Baptist Church is located a short walk away from a B15 bus stop and approximately 10 blocks from either the Kingston-Throop Avenue or the Utica Avenue stations on the A/C subway lines.

The DA’s Office hosts periodic Gun Buybacks throughout the year and in different Brooklyn neighborhoods.

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Wednesday, March 26, 2025

Rapper and Gang Leader Will Be Sentenced to Five Years in

Prison for Directing and Participating in Shootings

Michael Williams, a.k.a. Rapper Sheff G, Accepted a Court Offer

Brooklyn District Attorney Eric Gonzalez today announced that a successful rapper and gang member known as Sheff G pleaded guilty to attempted murder and conspiracy in exchange for a five-year prison sentence. The defendant is one of 32 alleged members of the 8 Trey Crips and its affiliate, the 9 Ways gang, who were named in a 140-count indictment for allegedly committing shootings, possessing guns, and using stolen cars during shootings against gang rivals.

District Attorney Gonzalez said, “Notoriety could not shield this defendant from justice. He used his fame to fund and direct violence, terrorizing our streets, and though we sought a much longer sentence, he will now be held to account. Brooklyn will not tolerate gangs that endanger our communities, and we remain committed to dismantling these criminal networks and holding those responsible fully accountable.”

The District Attorney identified the defendant as Michael Williams, 26, known as Sheff G. He pleaded guilty today before Brooklyn Supreme Court Justice Danny Chun to multiple top counts of second-degree attempted murder and second- and fourth-degree conspiracy in exchange for a Court offer of five years in prison and five years’ post release supervision over the People’s objection (prosecutors offered 20 years in prison). Sentencing was scheduled for August 13, 2025.

Seventeen of the defendants in the indictment have previously pleaded guilty and 14 cases are pending against other defendants, including Tegan Chambers, a rapper known as Sleepy Hollow.

The District Attorney said that the indictment in this case was the result of a long-term investigation by the District Attorney’s Violent Criminal Enterprises Bureau and the NYPD’s Gun Violence Suppression Division into shootings and gun possession incidents allegedly committed by members of the 8 Trey Crips and its affiliates, the 9 Ways gang, primarily in the 67^th and 71^st Precincts.

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 text messages, discussing acts of violence and taking credit for shootings and an assault.

The most egregious incident charged in the indictment was a mass shooting on Hawthorne Street in Folk Nation territory on October 21, 2020, at approximately 10:15 p.m. It is alleged that defendant Kamondre Dekattu was captured on surveillance video emerging from the sunroof of a white Infiniti and opening fire while other individuals fired guns from the driver’s side and rear driver’s side windows. An alleged Folk Nation rival, Theodore Senior, 23, was killed and five other alleged Folk Nation members were shot and injured. Dekattu was charged with the murder; his co-conspirators, including Michael Williams, were charged with being part of the conspiracy to commit murder for this incident and others.

In particular, approximately an hour after the mass shooting, Williams sent a text message seeking confirmation that the 8 Trey Crips and 9 Ways had scored against rivals. In separate messages, he sent pictures of the victim and a news article about the incident and shootings that preceded it that day.

Two days after the homicide, Williams hosted a lavish dinner with his fellow 8 Trey Crips and 9 Ways members, including Tegan Chambers, at a Manhattan steakhouse to celebrate the death of Theodore Senior and the injuries of the five other shooting victims.

Furthermore, it is alleged that Williams, who rented a large house in Short Hills, New Jersey during the conspiracy period, used the earnings from his music career to fuel gun violence in Brooklyn, by offering money and giving expensive jewelry to those who committed acts of violence. Williams’ involvement went beyond merely offering money to commit acts of violence. It is alleged that in one shooting incident, Williams coordinated a group of three shooters, drove those shooters to the crime scene, and then acted as the getaway driver.

The District Attorney thanked Paralegal Tania Lopez, of the District Attorney’s Violent Criminal Enterprises Bureau, for her assistance with the investigation.

The case is being prosecuted by Senior Assistant District Attorney Sapna Kishnani of the District Attorney’s Violent Criminal Enterprises Bureau, under the supervision of Assistant District Attorney Gillian DiPietro, VCE Deputy Bureau Chief, Assistant District Attorney Jennifer Cilia, VCE First Deputy Bureau Chief, and Assistant District Attorney Alfred DeIngeniis, VCE Bureau Chief.

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Monday, March 24, 2025

Brooklyn Financial Advisor Indicted for Allegedly Stealing

Approximately $1.24 Million from 10 Clients in Ponzi Scheme

Allegedly Promised High Returns on Business Investments,

Used Stolen Funds to Pay for Personal Expenses

Brooklyn District Attorney Eric Gonzalez today announced that a licensed Brooklyn financial advisor has been arraigned on an indictment charging him with stealing close to $1.24 million from 10 people to whom he issued promissory notes with high rates of return.

District Attorney Gonzalez said, “This defendant allegedly stole hundreds of thousands of dollars by persuading unsuspecting individuals to invest with false promises of high returns. Investors should be mindful that guaranteed high returns—especially without clear business details—are often a red flag. We will now seek to hold this defendant accountable and secure justice for those affected.”

The District Attorney identified the defendant as Marat Likhtenstein, 64, of Sheepshead Bay, Brooklyn. He was arraigned today before Brooklyn Supreme Court Justice Danny Chun on an indictment in which he is charged with eight counts of second-degree grand larceny, two counts of third-degree grand larceny, two counts of first-degree scheme to defraud, and 10 counts of violating General Business Law Section 352-C (6). The defendant was released without bail and ordered to return to court on May 21, 2025.

The District Attorney said that, between November 2015 and March 2025, the defendant operated a fraudulent scheme using promissory notes to induce individuals to invest in purported business opportunities. He allegedly claimed he could not discuss the details of the business opportunities with the investors but promised to pay them 20 percent interest pursuant to the notes.

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

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

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

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

The case is being prosecuted by Assistant District Attorney Michael Choi, Special Counsel for Complex Investigations, 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