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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Tuesday, March 3, 2026

NYPD Officer Indicted for Rape and Sexual Abuse of
Woman After Brooklyn Party

Officer Allegedly Ignored Victim’s Repeated Pleas to Stop

Brooklyn District Attorney Eric Gonzalez today announced that a New York City Police Officer has been arraigned on an indictment in which he is charged with rape and related sex offenses for allegedly engaging in sexual intercourse with a woman without her consent following a party in Brooklyn.

District Attorney Gonzalez said, “This defendant is accused of raping a woman who repeatedly told him to stop, and we will seek to hold him fully accountable. No one is above the law, especially those who are sworn to uphold it. I am grateful to the victim for her cooperation and to the NYPD for their thorough investigation.”

The District Attorney identified the defendant as Daheem Morris, 27, formerly assigned to the 73rd Precinct in Brownsville, Brooklyn and most recently to Police Service Area 1, which patrols New York City Housing Authority developments within Brooklyn. He was arraigned today before Brooklyn Supreme Court Justice Donald Leo on an indictment in which he is charged with third-degree rape, third-degree sexual abuse, forcible touching and sexual misconduct. He was released without bail and ordered to return to court on May 8, 2026.

The District Attorney said that, according to the investigation, on September 28, 2025, the defendant and victim, who had known each other for approximately two years and shared mutual friends, attended the same party.

Following the gathering, the victim was allegedly alone in a vehicle with the defendant. It is alleged that the defendant engaged in sexual intercourse with the victim while she repeatedly told him to stop and attempted to push him away.

The victim disclosed the incident to her cousin later that same day, and the case was investigated by detectives assigned to the New York City Police Department’s Internal Affairs Bureau.

The case is being prosecuted by Assistant District Attorney Christina Oddo, of the District Attorney’s Special Victims Bureau, under the supervision of Assistant District Attorney Miss Gregory, Bureau Chief.

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

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Wednesday, Feb 25, 2026

Brooklyn Financial Advisor Indicted for Allegedly Stealing
Approximately $852,000 from Five Clients in Ponzi Scheme

Allegedly Promised High Returns on Business Investments,
Used Stolen Funds to Pay for Personal Expenses, and to Make Payments to Other Victims

Brooklyn District Attorney Eric Gonzalez today announced that a licensed Brooklyn financial advisor has been arraigned on an indictment charging him with stealing approximately $852,000 from five people to whom he issued promissory notes with high rates of return.

The defendant was charged in a separate indictment in March 2025 with stealing approximately $1.24 million from 10 victims in a similar scheme, issuing them promissory notes promising high rates of return. That case is still pending.

District Attorney Gonzalez said, “This indictment alleges that the defendant carried out a classic Ponzi scheme, exploiting his professional credentials and client relationships to steal hundreds of thousands of dollars. As charged, he issued promissory notes promising extraordinary returns, diverted investor funds for personal expenses, and used money from new victims to make payments to earlier ones. This alleged conduct reflects a calculated abuse of trust that we will prosecute vigorously. My office remains committed to holding accountable those who engage in financial fraud.”

The District Attorney identified the defendant as Marat Likhtenstein, 65, of Sheepshead Bay, Brooklyn. He was arraigned today before Brooklyn Supreme Court Justice Danny Chun on a 10-count indictment in which he is charged with three counts of second-degree grand larceny, two counts of third-degree grand larceny, and five counts of violating General Business Law Section 352-C (6). The defendant was released without bail and ordered to return to court on April 22, 2026.

The District Attorney said that, between October 28, 2022 and February 5, 2026, the defendant allegedly 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 various rates of return including as high as 30 percent interest pursuant to the notes.

Specifically, the District Attorney said, the defendant is accused of stealing $378,500 from a 46-year-old man, $325,000 from a 69-year-old man, $79,000 from a different 46-year-old man, $37,100 from a 68-year-old woman, and $32,400 from a 68-year-old man. All of the victims are from Brooklyn.

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 Senior Investigative Assistant District Attorney Daniel Tibbets, of the Investigations Division, under the supervision of Assistant District Attorney Michel Spanakos, Deputy Chief of the Investigations Division, and Assistant District Attorney Patricia McNeill, Chief of the Investigations Division.

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

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Friday, February 13, 2026

East New York Man Sentenced to up to Nine Years in Prison
For Fatal Downtown Brooklyn Crash

Allegedly Drove up to 62 MPH, Ran Three Red Lights Before Crashing
Into Vehicle, Killing Woman and Injuring Three Passengers

Brooklyn District Attorney Eric Gonzalez today announced that an East New York man has been sentenced to up to nine years in prison for causing a fatal crash in Downtown Brooklyn after driving over 60 miles per hour, running three red lights and slamming into another vehicle, killing a 21-year-old woman and injuring three others.

District Attorney Gonzalez said, “This defendant made a series of reckless and deliberate decisions that had deadly consequences. By driving at high speeds and running red lights, he turned a Brooklyn intersection into a death trap. A young mother lost her life, shattering her family, and today’s sentence reflects the gravity of the harm he caused. My office will continue to hold accountable anyone who recklessly commits vehicular violence on our streets.”

The District Attorney identified the defendant as Kashawn Croswell, 28, of East New York, Brooklyn. He was sentenced today by Brooklyn Supreme Court Justice Jane Tully to an indeterminate term of three to nine years in prison. He was convicted on January 22, 2026, of second-degree manslaughter, two counts of second-degree assault, reckless driving, excessive speed and disobeying traffic control signal indications following a jury trial.

The District Attorney said that, according to the investigation, on August 18, 2023, at approximately 3:21 a.m., the defendant was driving southbound on Court Street at a speed of 60 miles per hour with his 24-year-old girlfriend in the passenger seat. Video surveillance showed the defendant running three consecutive steady red lights — at Schermerhorn Street, State Street and Atlantic Avenue.

After running the third light at Court Street and Atlantic Avenue at a speed of 62 miles per hour, the defendant T-boned a westbound vehicle that had the right of way, striking the front passenger side with tremendous force. The front-seat passenger in the struck vehicle, 21-year-old Shanti Joyner, suffered multiple blunt impact injuries and was pronounced dead at the scene. Joyner’s 32-year-old sister, who was driving the struck vehicle, suffered an ankle fracture and a 29-year-old rear passenger suffered a wrist fracture.

Following the crash, the defendant exited his vehicle and removed his girlfriend from the passenger side of the car, which eventually caught fire. He then attempted to flee the scene, dragging his girlfriend for a block and a half asking multiple cars if they were Uber drivers. He then asked a resident to allow the defendant to enter their home but was denied entry. Bystanders called 911, and police later located the defendant outside the building. His girlfriend, who suffered a spinal fracture in the crash, was then transported to an area hospital.

The District Attorney thanked Intelligence Analyst, Zoë Feygin of the KCDA Digital Evidence Lab under the supervision of Assistant District Attorney Jingu Chong, Chief of the Digital Evidence Lab, for assistance in the investigation.

The case was prosecuted by Senior Assistant District Attorney Han Zhang and Assistant District Attorney Adriana Morquecho, of the District Attorney’s Blue Zone Trial Bureau, under the supervision of Assistant District Attorney Jennifer Nocella, Street Safety Bureau Chief, and Assistant District Attorney Kin Ng, Blue Zone Bureau Chief.

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Wednesday, February 11, 2026

Brooklyn Daycare Teacher Arraigned on Indictment
Charging Him with Sexually Abusing Young Girls

Was Employed at a Bushwick Childcare Center;
Alleged Abuse Took Place at Center and Brooklyn Bridge Park

Brooklyn District Attorney Eric Gonzalez today announced that a Brooklyn man who worked as a teacher at a Bushwick childcare center has been arraigned on an indictment in which he is charged with repeatedly sexually abusing four young girls when they were between the ages of five and nine years old.

District Attorney Gonzalez said, “The conduct alleged in this case shocks the conscious. Innocent children were entrusted to a teacher’s care to safely learn and grow, but instead this defendant allegedly shuttered that trust in the worst way. We can never tolerate the disturbing exploitation and abuse of children alleged in this case and will continue to aggressively prosecute this and any other case in which someone abuses their position of authority to harm a child.”

The District Attorney identified the defendant as Devonte Brown, 30, of Bedford-Stuyvesant, Brooklyn. He was arraigned today before Brooklyn Supreme Court Justice Donald Leo on an indictment in which he is charged with second-degree course of sexual conduct against a child, seven counts of first-degree sexual abuse, seven counts of second-degree sexual abuse, seven counts of forcible touching and four counts of endangering the welfare of a child. He was ordered held on $150,000 cash bail, $300,000 insurance bond or $500,000 partially secured bond, and to return to court on March 27, 2026.

The District Attorney said that, according to the investigation, between April 1, 2024 and August 22, 2025, on multiple occasions, the defendant allegedly subjected four young girls — whose ages at the time were 5, 5, 6 and 9 — to sexual abuse while they were students at the Bushwick childcare center and under his supervision. It is alleged that the criminal conduct included touching intimate body parts with both hands over and under the victims’ clothing while inside the childcare center. On one occasion in July 2025, the defendant allegedly sexually abused one of the children while at Brooklyn Bridge Park, Pier 6.

Furthermore, according to the investigation, the defendant is alleged to have intimidated at least one of the children into silence by threatening her that their favorite teacher would be fired if they told an adult. In August and September 2025, the children disclosed the abuse to their parents, who contacted law enforcement.

The case is being prosecuted by Assistant District Attorney Roxana Moussavian of the District Attorney’s Special Victims Bureau, under the supervision of Assistant District Attorney Miss Gregory, Bureau Chief.

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

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Wednesday, February 11, 2026

Bushwick Man Sentenced for Sex Trafficking Teenage Girls

Recruited Two 15-year-olds and a 17-year-old to Engage in Sexual Conduct for Money;
Arrested Following Undercover Sting

Brooklyn District Attorney Eric Gonzalez today announced that a Bushwick man has been sentenced to eight years in prison after pleading guilty to sex trafficking of a child for recruiting multiple victims, including three teenage girls, ages 15 to 17, to engage in sexual conduct for money.

District Attorney Gonzalez said, “The exploitation of our most vulnerable populations for profit is among the most disturbing crimes we prosecute, and the harm inflicted on survivors of trafficking and sexual violence is profound and lasting. My office is committed to protecting survivors and will continue to aggressively pursue anyone who exploits others for money and remove them from our streets.”

The District Attorney identified the defendant as Terrence Rogers, a.k.a., Aura, 35, of Bushwick, Brooklyn. He was sentenced today to eight years in prison and five years of post-release supervision by Brooklyn Supreme Court Justice Danny Chun. He pleaded guilty to sex trafficking of a child on December 3, 2025. The defendant must register as a sex offender upon his release from prison.

The District Attorney said that, according to the investigation, between March 9, 2024, and April 12, 2024, Rogers recruited a 15-year-old girl to engage in sexual conduct for money on multiple occasions from his apartment at Halsey Street in Bushwick. The victim was introduced to the defendant by a classmate, also 15, who was engaging in sexual conduct for money for the defendant at the time. Rogers posted the 15-year-old’s photo on a website advertising sexual services. He also gave her a cellphone and instructed her on how to communicate with customers and how much to charge them.

Furthermore, according to the investigation, Rogers sexually assaulted the 15-year-old victim on April 12, 2024. More than a month later, the defendant messaged her on Snapchat and threatened to a post a nude photo of her online unless she continued to engage in sexual conduct for money. After the victim returned to the defendant’s apartment, he posted the nude photo on a website advertising sexual services before forcibly touching her.

On June 13, 2024, the victim reported the assault to a school social worker who contacted police. The District Attorney’s Human Trafficking Unit and the New York City Police Department then launched an undercover investigation.

On July 3, 2024, an undercover officer responded to a live online advertisement posting for prostitution in Brooklyn with images of the underage victims. The undercover officer called the phone number provided in the advertisement and was directed to the Halsey Street location. Inside the defendant’s apartment, the undercover officer made an agreement to have sex with a 22-year-old woman for $100. A field team then raided the apartment. As police were entering, Rogers was caught leaving the bathroom with a 17-year-old victim who was partially undressed. He was arrested at the location.

The case was investigated by New York City Police Detective Kevin Deleon and Detective Latasha Carter from the NYPD’s Human Trafficking Squad, under the supervision of Sergeant Kevin Kavanagh, Lieutenant Christopher Zizza, Lieutenant Amy Morin, and the overall supervision of Inspector Gary Marcus.

The District Attorney thanked Office Manager Aurora Martinez from the District Attorney’s Office Human Trafficking Unit and Digital Forensic Analyst Richard Rojas from the District Attorney’s Digital Evidence Lab for his assistance in the case.

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

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Tuesday, February 10, 2026

Police Officer Indicted for Assault, Menacing and Official Misconduct
Stemming from Two On-Duty Incidents Involving Civilians

 Allegedly Pepper Sprayed Individual in Sunset Park and Slapped Handcuffed Prisoner

Brooklyn District Attorney Eric Gonzalez today announced that a New York City Police Officer has been arraigned on an indictment in which he is charged with assault, menacing and official misconduct for two separate on-duty incidents.

District Attorney Gonzalez said, “Instead of using the de-escalation techniques NYPD officers are trained to employ, this defendant allegedly assaulted a person in custody and threatened a civilian who complained. Trust between law enforcement and the public is essential to sustaining the hard-won gains that have driven homicide and gun violence in Brooklyn to record lows, and we will not allow an officer’s alleged misconduct to put our progress at risk. No one is above the law, and we will seek to hold him accountable through this prosecution.”

The District Attorney identified the defendant as Quran McPhatter, 42, of the 72nd Precinct in Sunset Park, Brooklyn. He was arraigned today before Brooklyn Supreme Court Justice Phyllis Chu on a 13-count indictment in which he is charged with two counts of third-degree assault, four counts of official misconduct, two counts of third-degree attempted assault, one count of third-degree attempted coercion, and four counts of third-degree menacing. He was released without bail and ordered to return to court on March 25, 2026.

The District Attorney said that, according to the investigation, on August 3, 2025, at approximately 6:45 p.m., in Sunset Park, located on 41st Street between Fifth and Seventh Avenues, a civilian saw an NYPD patrol car driving unsafely through a crowded area in the park. The patrol car was being driven by the defendant and the defendant’s partner was in the passenger seat. The civilian yelled at the defendant to slow down, and the defendant got out of the car and told the civilian to mind his own business.

Furthermore, according to the investigation, the civilian then demanded the defendant’s badge number and when he was near the car door the defendant allegedly opened the door, almost striking the civilian, then sprayed pepper spray on the ground and left. At approximately 7:34 p.m., the civilian went to the 72nd Precinct to report the defendant and identified him in the lobby in street clothes and again asked for his badge number. The defendant then allegedly responded by saying “I am not giving you anything,” and then pushed his chest up against the civilian’s chest. The two were separated by a sergeant and other officers. The defendant allegedly threatened to knock out the civilian and told him to wait outside for the defendant.

In a separate incident, on October 24, 2025, at approximately 12:34 p.m., in the vicinity of 140 58th Street, the defendant and his partner responded to a 60-year-old individual allegedly trespassing and told him to leave the area. A half-hour later they responded again, and the defendant arrested the individual, handcuffed him, allegedly berated him and threw him against the patrol car twice. The individual then was seated in the back seat and antagonizing the defendant, who was driving. During the car ride, the defendant allegedly reached into the backseat and grabbed the individual’s glasses off his face.

When they arrived at the 72nd Precinct, the defendant brought the individual in front of the desk sergeant and allegedly called the individual “a big dummy” and when the individual responded, the defendant allegedly slapped him in the face with an open hand. He was immediately taken off the case by the sergeant. The arrested individual was taken to Lutheran Hospital where he was treated and released.

The case is being prosecuted by Senior Assistant District Attorney Christopher Carter, of the District Attorney’s Law Enforcement Accountability Bureau, under the supervision of Assistant District Attorney Mark Pagliuco, Deputy Bureau Chief, and Assistant District Attorney Christopher Eribo, Bureau Chief.

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

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Tuesday, February 10, 2026

Fort Greene Man Sentenced to 25 Years to Life in Prison for Fatal Shooting
Outside Baby Shower at Brooklyn Church

Accidental Bump Inside Church Annex Escalated into Fatal Dispute

Brooklyn District Attorney Eric Gonzalez today announced that a Fort Greene, Brooklyn man has been sentenced to 25 years to life in prison for the fatal shooting of 26-year-old Courtney Tingle outside a baby shower held at a Prospect Heights church.

District Attorney Gonzalez said, “Courtney Tingle was a young father whose life was taken outside a church celebration meant to welcome new life. His family has endured an immeasurable loss, and today’s sentence holds the defendant accountable for that violence. While Brooklyn has seen significant reductions in gun violence since this tragic shooting, my office will continue to prosecute anyone who makes the irreparable decision to take a life.”

The District Attorney identified the defendant as Daquan Carter, 34, of Fort Greene, Brooklyn. He was sentenced today by Brooklyn Supreme Court Justice Eugene Guarino to 25 years to life in prison. The defendant was convicted of second-degree murder and second-degree criminal possession of a weapon on November 7, 2025, following a jury trial.

The District Attorney said that, according to the evidence, on March 22, 2019, at approximately 10 p.m., the victim was attending a baby shower at a church annex in Prospect Heights, Brooklyn with his girlfriend. During the event, the victim accidentally bumped into a woman, which led to a verbal confrontation involving the defendant and his cousins. The defendant and three of his cousins then lured the victim outside the venue and onto the street.

Once outside, the victim was physically assaulted by two of Carter’s cousins while the defendant waited nearby. The defendant then produced an illegal, loaded firearm and shot the victim four times, striking him as he lay defenseless up against a parked car. The shooting occurred outside a party attended by hundreds of people, including children.

The victim was taken by EMS to an area hospital where he was later pronounced dead. Carter fled the scene and, later, the state. When apprehended in November 2019, the defendant provided false statements to law enforcement that were contradicted by eyewitness testimony, surveillance video and other evidence presented at trial.

The District Attorney thanked Paralegal John Homnick, of the District Attorney’s Homicide Bureau, and Digital Forensic Analyst Richard Rojas, of the Digital Evidence Lab, for their assistance on this case.

The case was prosecuted by Senior Assistant District Attorney Christopher Mirabella and Assistant District Attorney Daphney Gachette, Deputy Chief of the District Attorney’s Homicide Bureau, under the supervision of Assistant District Attorney Leila Rosini, Homicide Bureau Chief.

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Friday, February 6, 2026

East New York Woman Sentenced to 15 Years in Prison for
Stabbing Roommate and Pistol Whipping her Daughter

Defendant Also Fired Three Shots in Apartment and Stabbed Victim’s Dog

Brooklyn District Attorney Eric Gonzalez today announced that a Brooklyn woman has been sentenced to 15 years in prison following her guilty plea to attempted murder and criminal use of a firearm for stabbing her roommate in the neck and pistol whipping the victim’s daughter across her forehead.

District Attorney Gonzalez said, “Brooklyn is safer with this defendant behind bars. Her brazen and unprovoked violence could have easily cost an innocent life, and today’s sentence ensures she can no longer endanger our community. I am grateful to our prosecutors and the NYPD for their outstanding work on this case.”

The District Attorney identified the defendant as Iescha Gowdy, 34, of East New York, Brooklyn. She was sentenced today by Brooklyn Supreme Court Justice Rhonda Tomlinson to 15 years in prison and five years of post-release supervision. The defendant pleaded guilty to two counts of second-degree attempted murder and one count of first-degree criminal use of a firearm on January 6, 2026.

The District Attorney said that, according to the evidence, on January 1, 2024, at approximately 6:40 a.m., at 1004 Hegeman Avenue, a 57-year-old woman and her 39-year-old daughter and a friend were in the living room of the 57-year-old’s apartment where she lived with her roommate of five months, the defendant. The defendant came out of her bedroom into the living room holding a gun and threatened to shoot everyone in the apartment. She then fired three shots, striking no one.

The 57-year-old’s daughter ran from the apartment down a stairwell towards the second-floor landing and was followed by the defendant, according to the evidence, who pistol-whipped her on the forehead. The two began fighting, and the 57-year-old came down the stairs and was able to get the gun out of the defendant’s hand. The defendant went back up to the apartment and the victims remained on the landing and were assisted by a neighbor.

Approximately 10 minutes later, according to the evidence, the defendant returned holding a knife in each hand, she then lunged at the 57-year-old and stabbed her once in the neck. The defendant continued down the stairs and the victim followed her and saw the defendant pick up the victim’s dog (who had gotten out through the open apartment door). The defendant stabbed the dog once in the abdomen and left the building. Both the 57-year-old and the dog underwent treatment for their stab wounds.

The defendant was arrested the next day following an investigation.

The case was prosecuted by Senior Assistant District Attorney Amelia Digirolamo, of the District Attorney’s Red Zone Trial Bureau, under the supervision of Assistant District Attorney Karla Watson, Bureau Chief.

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Friday, February 6, 2026

Man Sentenced to 15 Years to Life in Prison for Murder of
His Mother in Her Bay Ridge Apartment

Defendant Fatally Stabbed Victim 18 Times, Fled Scene Covered in Her Blood

Brooklyn District Attorney Eric Gonzalez today announced that a Brooklyn man has been sentenced to 15 years to life in prison after pleading guilty to repeatedly stabbing and murdering his mother inside her Bay Ridge apartment.

District Attorney Gonzalez said, “Inna Deshkovich lost her life at the hands of her own son, leaving her family and loved ones with an unimaginable loss. Domestic violence, including violence against parents and family members, is a profound public safety issue, and this sentence reflects the seriousness of that harm. My office will continue to aggressively prosecute anyone who commits acts of violence in our communities.”

The District Attorney identified the defendant as Vladislav Deshkovich, 32, of Bay Ridge, Brooklyn. He was sentenced today by Brooklyn Supreme Court Justice Dineen Riviezzo to the Court’s offer of 15 years to life in prison after pleading guilty to second-degree murder on January 9, 2026.

The District Attorney said that, according to the evidence, on December 1, 2023, at approximately 7:40 p.m., the defendant went to his mother’s apartment on 93rd Street in Bay Ridge, Brooklyn. An argument ensued and was overheard by a neighbor, who knocked on the apartment door. The defendant answered the door and stated that everything was fine. Shortly after, the neighbor observed the defendant fleeing the apartment. When the neighbor returned, she found the victim, 54-year-old Inna Deshkovich, lying in a pool of blood, unresponsive and suffering from numerous stab wounds.

Medics pronounced the victim dead at the scene, and police apprehended the defendant later that night. The defendant was found with blood on his clothing, which was later confirmed through DNA analysis to belong to his mother. An autopsy revealed that the victim suffered 18 stab wounds, including at least three to her face.

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

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Friday, January 23, 2026

Woman Without New York Medical License Indicted for Recklessly Performing High-Risk Medical Procedure out of Sheepshead Bay Salon

Defendant Allegedly Performed Brazilian Butt Lift that Nearly Killed Woman

Brooklyn District Attorney Eric Gonzalez today announced that a woman who held herself out as a physician has been indicted for recklessly performing a high-risk medical procedure commonly known as a “Brazilian butt lift” without the required medical license to do so, causing a 46-year-old woman to suffer a life-threatening infection and severe injuries.

District Attorney Gonzalez said, “This defendant is accused of deceiving a victim by falsely presenting herself as though she were licensed to practice medicine and conducting a high-risk surgery she was not legally qualified to perform. The alleged conduct left the victim with life-threatening injuries and required extensive medical care. My office will aggressively prosecute anyone pretending to be a medical professional and putting New Yorkers’ lives in danger.”

The District Attorney identified the defendant as Nargiza Shukurova, 39, of Uzbekistan. She was arraigned today before Brooklyn Supreme Court Justice Danny Chun on an indictment charging her with second-degree assault, third-degree assault, unauthorized practice of a profession, fourth-degree criminal possession of a weapon and second-degree reckless endangerment. Bail was set at $25,000 cash or $200,000 bond and the defendant was ordered to return to court on March 25, 2026.

The District Attorney said that, according to the investigation, in all plastic surgery, the Brazilian butt lift (“BBL”) must be performed with the greatest of care, as it has the highest mortality rate of any cosmetic surgery procedure. The defendant advertised on social media, using the title “Dr. Nargiza” and “Dr. Nargis,” offering “butt enlargement, buttocks shape correction” and “Barbie lips,” among other services, with before and after photographs. The defendant did not have a license to practice medicine in New York State and was not authorized to perform a BBL.

The investigation further revealed that the defendant allegedly performed a BBL on the victim on May 7, 2023, at Fleur de Beaute Salon, which was located in Sheepshead Bay, Brooklyn and was not a New York State authorized surgical facility. The defendant did not take the victim’s medical history or perform a basic physical exam, and did not follow standard surgical procedures.

In the following days, the victim began to experience severe medical complications, including a life-threatening infection. As the victim’s infection worsened, the defendant allegedly discouraged the victim from seeking immediate medical treatment and instead attempted to manage the victim’s rapidly declining condition herself.

Almost three weeks after the BBL, the victim lost consciousness in her home and her family rushed her to a local hospital where she underwent approximately a dozen surgeries over two months to treat an infection that nearly killed her. During her hospital stay, the defendant allegedly left messages on the victim’s phone begging her to lie to hospital personnel about the procedure and not reveal her identity.

The defendant was arrested at Los Angeles International Airport on a Kings County warrant on January 9, 2026.

The District Attorney thanked Digital Forensic Analyst Richard Rojas, of the District Attorney’s Digital Evidence Lab, Intelligence Analyst Veranika Basak, of the Investigations Division, and Detective Investigators from the KCDA Detective Bureau for their assistance on the case as well as the U.S. Department of Homeland Security’s Homeland Security Investigations, the U.S. Department of State’s Diplomatic Security Service, and the Los Angeles Police Department.

The case is being prosecuted by Assistant District Attorney Laura Neubauer, Chief of the Organized Crime and Racketeering Bureau, and Senior Assistant District Attorney Jessica White, of the Frauds Bureau. The case was investigated by now retired Chief of the Healthcare Fraud Unit, Maria Leonardi and ADA Jessica White, 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 merely an accusation and not proof of a defendant’s guilt.