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Thursday, May 1, 2025

Staten Island Man Sentenced to 15 Years in Prison for Shooting

Pregnant Woman on Brooklyn-Queens Expressway

Defendant Opened Fire from Moving Vehicle in Broad Daylight, Striking Victim in the Head

Brooklyn District Attorney Eric Gonzalez today announced that a Staten Island man has been sentenced to ­­15 years in prison following his guilty plea to attempted murder for firing multiple shots at a taxi traveling along the Brooklyn-Queens Expressway, striking a pregnant woman riding in the backseat in the head.

District Attorney Gonzalez said, “This was a terrifying and calculated act of violence carried out in the middle of the day on one of the city’s busiest highways. The defendant showed a complete disregard for human life when he opened fire on a moving vehicle, striking a young pregnant woman and endangering countless others. We will continue to pursue justice for victims and hold accountable those who threaten the safety of our communities.”

The District Attorney identified the defendant as Mark Munoz, 37, of Staten Island. He was sentenced today by Brooklyn Supreme Court Justice Jane Tully to ­­15 years in prison. The defendant pleaded guilty to second-degree attempted murder on March 3, 2025.

The District Attorney said that, according to the evidence, on June 26, 2023, at approximately 1:30 p.m., the victims, a 21-year-old woman and 30-year-old man, were picked up by a taxi at the corner of 58^th Street and Third Avenue in Sunset Park, Brooklyn. The defendant, who had a prior dispute with the male victim earlier that day, followed the cab in a dark blue Jeep onto the Brooklyn-Queens Expressway.

While driving alongside the taxi, the defendant fired multiple shots into the backseat, striking the woman, who was two months pregnant, in the head. Another bullet lodged in the door where the male victim was seated.

The taxi driver immediately drove to NYU Langone Hospital-Brooklyn, where doctors in the trauma unit were able to save both the woman and her unborn child.

The NYPD, working in coordination with the Brooklyn District Attorney’s Office, determined that after the shooting, the defendant fled to Staten Island, where he spent several hours at a car wash. He was arrested on Staten Island on May 24, 2024.

The Brooklyn District Attorney thanked Intelligence Analyst Anna Kharitanova and Intelligence Analyst Kelly Crawford, of the District Attorney’s Digital Evidence Lab, working under the supervision of Chief Analyst Alexandra Aber and Unit Chief Jingu Chong, for their assistance on the case.

The case was prosecuted by Assistant District Attorney Robert Andrea and Senior Assistant District Attorney Natalie Riether, of the District Attorney’s Blue Zone Trial Bureau, under the supervision of Assistant District Attorney Douglas Marquez, Deputy Bureau Chief, and the overall supervision of Assistant District Attorney Kin Ng, Bureau Chief.

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Wednesday, April 30, 2025

Brooklyn Man Sentenced to Six Months in Jail for Making and Selling Fake OSHA and Buildings Department Safety Cards

Sold Counterfeit Safety and Training Certifications to New York Construction Workers Who Never Received the Required Training

Brooklyn District Attorney Eric Gonzalez, together with the New York City Department of Investigation Commissioner Jocelyn E. Strauber, today announced that the owner of a Brooklyn company that is supposed to provide jobsite safety training and certification has been sentenced to six months in jail for making and selling dozens of fake safety cards to New York construction workers who never received the required training.

District Attorney Gonzalez said, “Safety regulations exist because lives depend on them. When employers or trainers cut corners, the results can be tragic — we’ve seen fatal falls, collapsed scaffolds, and preventable injuries on construction sites across the city. This case sends a strong message: we will not tolerate fraud that undermines worker safety. Faking safety credentials is not just paperwork fraud, it’s a direct threat to the lives of workers and the public. I thank DOI and NYCHA for their partnership to ensure that safety standards are upheld and enforced at every level.”

Commissioner Strauber said, “By creating and distributing fraudulent safety certifications, this defendant allowed workers in this City to perform difficult and dangerous work without the benefit of rigorous safety training intended to protect them and the public. Safety training is required by law, and we and our law enforcement partners will hold accountable those who flout this requirement. I thank the NYCHA employee who prompted this investigation by diligently reporting concerns about a contractor’s safety card. And I thank District Attorney Eric Gonzalez and his staff for their partnership in upholding safety standards in New York City.”

The District Attorney identified the defendant as Benedetto Bonello, 37, of Bensonhurst, Brooklyn. On January 8, 2025, Bonello pleaded guilty to second-degree falsifying business records and his company, National Site Safety LLC, pleaded guilty to a violation, before Brooklyn Supreme Court Justice Danny Chun, in exchange for a promised sentence of six months in jail.

Bonello was an authorized OSHA trainer but, according to the investigation, did not provide the required trainings.

The District Attorney said the investigation began in November 2021 after NYCHA reported to DOI that it had identified construction safety cards with discrepancies as part of a routine check.

Workers on larger and more complex construction projects requiring permits by the City’s Department of Buildings (DOB) are required to take safety courses approved by the U.S. Occupational Safety & Health Administration (OSHA) and are required to carry a card reflecting that certification. OSHA provides for the issuance of a 10-hour training certification for entry-level workers and a 30-hour training certification for safety managers and coordinators.

Additionally, DOB has comprehensive rules and regulations governing supported scaffolds to ensure the safety of workers and the public. Individuals who use a supported scaffold, including supervisors, are required to have completed a DOB-approved training program or course that is at least four hours long and, every four years thereafter, retake the four-hour training program or course.

As part of the investigation, DOI made an undercover purchase of a fraudulent OSHA-30 card from Bonello at his company, National Site Safety. The undercover had not completed the OSHA training or the scaffold training. Furthermore, the scaffold user card included the name and insignia of a training organization that had not authorized the defendant to give the scaffold training or use its name or insignia.

At DOI, the investigation was conducted by Deputy Inspector General Gregory Deboer, under the supervision of Inspector General for NYCHA Ralph M. Iannuzzi and Deputy Commissioner/Chief of Investigations Dominick Zarrella.

The case was prosecuted by Assistant District Attorney Adam Libove, Deputy Chief of the District Attorney’s Public Integrity Bureau, under the supervision of Assistant District Attorney Laura Neubauer, Bureau Chief, and the overall supervision of Assistant District Attorney Michel Spanakos, Deputy Chief of the District Attorney’s Investigations Division and Assistant District Attorney Patricia McNeill, Chief of the Investigations Division.

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Wednesday, April 30, 2025

New York City Employee Pleads Guilty to Stealing $624,000

Defendant Worked as Associate Retirement Benefits Examiner at NYCERS,

Stole Pension Checks from Two Retired Individuals

Brooklyn District Attorney Eric Gonzalez, together with New York City Department of Investigation Commissioner Jocelyn E. Strauber, today announced that a Brooklyn man has pleaded guilty to corrupting the government for stealing $624,000 from two retired New York City employees’ pensions.

District Attorney Gonzalez said, “This defendant shamelessly exploited his position of public trust to steal hundreds of thousands of dollars intended for retired City workers, using his insider access to enrich himself at their expense. His guilty plea is a clear admission of that betrayal, and a reminder that we will not tolerate abuse of government positions for personal gain. I thank DOI and NYCERS for their work on this case.”

Commissioner Strauber said, “The defendant used his employment with the New York City Employees’ Retirement System to steal hundreds of thousands of dollars from City retirees and the City’s pension system.  Through his guilty plea today, he has acknowledged that he abused his position of public trust for his own financial gain. I thank the Brooklyn District Attorney’s Office for its partnership in this investigation and its commitment to protect the City’s pension funds.”

The District Attorney identified the defendant as Gregory Mathieu, 41, of Canarsie, Brooklyn. He pleaded guilty today to first-degree corrupting the government before Brooklyn Supreme Court Justice Danny Chun in exchange for a promised sentence of one to three years in prison and a judgment order of restitution for $511,115.61 against the defendant. NYCERS was previously able to get back approximately $113,000 from the defendant. Sentencing was set for September 17, 2025.

The District Attorney said that between February 8, 2021 and January 2, 2024, the defendant stole approximately $624,000 from the New York City Employees’ Retirement System (NYCERS), where he worked as an Associate Retirement Benefits Examiner.

The defendant reactivated suspended pension payments of a deceased Department of Sanitation supervisor, stealing retroactive payments of approximately $242,000 and monthly payments between May 2021 and January 2024 of approximately $5,700.

In addition, the defendant stole approximately $199,000 from a 75-year-old retired Associated Railroad Signal Specialist employed by the MTA/NYC Transit Authority.

According to the investigation, the defendant spent the stolen funds on luxury items including $2,500 for a pair of sneakers and a shirt at a Louis Vuitton store, $1,500 for a pair of sneakers at a Chanel store, $19,000 for vacation, and $429,000 in cash withdrawals.

Mathieu was employed by NYCERS for approximately 15 years. He agreed to resign effective May 30, 2025.

The case was investigated by DOI Confidential Investigator Farhana Begum with DOI’s Office of the Inspector General for NYCERS and supervised by Assistant Inspector General Shakina Griffith, Assistant Inspector General Jeffrey Freeman, Deputy Inspector General Aleksandro Tilka, Inspector General Ann Petterson, Deputy Commissioner of Strategic Initiatives Christopher Ryan, and Deputy Commissioner/Chief of Investigations Dominick Zarrella.

Kings County Detective Investigators further assisted in the investigation.

The District Attorney thanked NYCERS’ Fraud Unit for their assistance on the case.

The case is being prosecuted by Senior Assistant District Attorney Theresa Robitaille, of the District Attorney’s Organized Crime and Racketeering Bureau, under the supervision of Assistant District Attorney Adam Libove, Deputy Chief of the Public Integrity Bureau, and Assistant District Attorney Laura Neubauer, Bureau Chief, and the overall supervision of Assistant District Attorney Michel Spanakos, Deputy Chief of the District Attorney’s Investigations Division and Assistant District Attorney Patricia McNeill, Chief of the Investigations Division.

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Friday, April 25, 2025

Queens Man Indicted for Alleged $7 Million Deed Fraud Theft

Defendant Allegedly Sold Sunset Park Property by Forging Documents

Brooklyn District Attorney Eric Gonzalez today announced that a Queens resident has been arraigned on an indictment in which he is charged with grand larceny and falsifying business records for allegedly creating false documents to cheat his fellow shareholders by selling a joint property without their knowledge or consent. 

District Attorney Gonzalez said, “This defendant allegedly attempted to steal approximately $7 million using forged documents and false filings. As real estate values continue to rise dramatically in Brooklyn, I remain committed to protecting property owners across the borough from fraudsters who would steal their security and investment in the future.”

The District Attorney identified the defendant as Wing Fung Chau, 53, of Bayside, Queens. The defendant was arraigned today before Brooklyn Supreme Court Justice Elizabeth Warin on an indictment in which he is charged with two counts of first-degree grand larceny and three counts of first-degree falsifying business records. The defendant was ordered held on bail of $10,000 cash or $100,000 bond and to return to court on June 4, 2025.

The District Attorney said that, according to the investigation, 37-19 Realty Inc. is a corporation which owns a 25% interest in 6208 8^th Avenue, a large parcel of land in Sunset Park. The defendant is one of three shareholders in the corporation. Another shareholder, a 56-year-old woman is the President of the corporation. The defendant and the President are entitled to 36% of the corporation’s income. A third shareholder is entitled to the balance.

It is alleged that, according to the investigation, on September 28, 2021, the defendant signed a memorandum of contract to sell 37-19 Realty’s interest in 6208 8^th Avenue to a different 56-year-old woman and filed the contract with the City Register.

Shortly thereafter, it is alleged, the defendant negotiated with a 53-year-old man to sell 37-19 Realty’s interest in the property for approximately $7.2 million cash, with the buyer and his associates assuming various existing mortgage obligations. Before closing, the buyer required, among other things, proof from the defendant that the President of the corporation agreed to sell her interest and that the 56-year-old woman no longer had a contract to buy 37-19 Realty’s interest in the property. The buyer also requested a letter from the corporation’s accountant regarding its tax filings.

At the closing on November 18, 2021, only the defendant appeared on behalf of 37-19 Realty. He allegedly provided several forged documents: one with the President’s forged signature agreeing to the sale, one with the 56-year-old woman’s forged signature stating she was terminating her contract, and one with the forged signature of the accountant falsely claiming the corporation did not file taxes in 2019 and 2020.

The defendant allegedly had the proceeds of the sale transferred to bank accounts that only he controlled, withdrawing almost all of it within eight months of the closing. None of the funds went to the President of the corporation. The investigation began after the President’s attorney contacted the District Attorney’s office.

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

The case is being prosecuted by Assistant District Attorney Kevin Zhen, of the District Attorney’s Investigations Division, under the supervision of Assistant District Attorney Richard Farrell, Chief of the Real Estate Frauds Unit, Assistant District Attorney Gregory Pavlides,  Chief of the Frauds Bureau, Assistant District Attorney Michel Spanakos, Deputy Chief of the Investigations Division and the overall supervision of Assistant District Attorney Patricia McNeill, Chief of the Investigations Division.

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

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

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

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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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