07

KINGS COUNTY DISTRICT ATTORNEY CHARLES J. HYNES ANNOUNCES INDICTMENTS OF TWO MEN WHO FORCED TEENAGE GIRLS
INTO PROSTITUTION 

CASE STARTED WITH A CALL TO KCDA SEX TRAFFICKING UNIT HOTLINE 

             Brooklyn, January 26, 2011 – Kings County District Attorney Charles J. Hynes and New York City Police Commissioner Raymond W. Kelly today announced the indictment of two men charged with forcing teenage girls into prostitution, advertising them on the Internet, and “branding” them with tattoos. 

            “I created the Sex Trafficking Unit to stop animals like these defendants from exploiting young girls, and I am pleased to see it working,” said District Attorney Hynes. “If you or someone you know is being forced to work as a prostitute, call the Brooklyn Sex Trafficking Unit Hotline, at (718)250-2770. I would like to acknowledge the hard work of the NYPD’s Vice Major Case Squad.” 

            “There’s few lower than men who coerce young woman and girls into prostitution and then profit from their exploitation,” said Police Commissioner Kelly. “I want to commend the detectives and prosecutors who worked together to bring these suspects to justice.”  

            In December 2010, a woman called the Brooklyn District Attorney’s Sex Trafficking Unit Hotline, to report that her teenage sister was being held, against her will, by a pimp who forced her to work as a prostitute. The ensuing investigation led to the indictments being announced today, which charge Artic “Scooby Da Don” Rogers and Treymaine “Trey” Songster, with using threats, intimidation and beatings to force two victims, ages 15 and 17, to have sex for money. Though two victims are involved in today’s announcement, investigators suspect there are more victims, and the investigation is continuing. 

            Rogers began exploiting the 17-year-old victim in July 2008 and told her that if she did not make at least $1,000 a night as a prostitute, he would beat her, according to the indictment. On at least one occasion, he tortured and killed a mouse and explained that if the 17-year-old tried to leave, he would to the same to her. He is also charged with forcing her to tattoo his nickname “Scooby” on her body. He met the 15-year-old about a year later, and used similar tactics to intimidate her, according to the indictment. The indictment charges that Rogers locked the girls in an apartment, where he made them “work”, and that Songster stayed to guard and intimidate them when Rogers left. 

            Rogers is also charged with videotaping the victims having sex and posting the videos on the Internet, where he would use Paypal to charge people to view them. He also took them outside Brooklyn, to New Jersey and North Carolina, where he continued to exploit them sexually, according to the indictment. 

            Charges against Rogers and Songster include Kidnapping in the First Degree, Sex Trafficking, Rape in the Third Degree, Promoting a Sexual Performance by a Child, and Torturing and Injuring Animals. They face up to 50 years in prison. 

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

            The case was investigated by NYPD Detective James Wong, Lieutenant Michael Costello and Chief Bryan Conroy, Commanding Officer of the Vice Enforcement Division. The NYPD’s TARU Unit also worked on the case. 

            The case is being prosecuted by Chief of the Sex Trafficking Unit Lauren Hersh and Assistant District Attorneys Kathleen Collins and Grace Albinson. Michael Vecchione is Chief of the Rackets Division.

Contact:  Jonah Bruno
                (718) 250-2300

06

KINGS COUNTY DISTRICT ATTORNEY CHARLES J. HYNES
AND NEW YORK CITY HUMAN RESOURCES ADMINISTRATION
COMMISSIONER ROBERT DOAR ANNOUNCE
INDICTMENT OF FIVE OUT-OF-TOWNERS CHARGED WITH
FALSELY CLAIMING BROOKLYN RESIDENCY, IN ORDER TO
ILLEGALLY COLLECT MEDICAID BENEFITS 

             Brooklyn, January 25, 2011 – Kings County District Attorney Charles J. Hynes and New York City Human Resources Administration Commissioner Robert Doar today announced the arrest and indictment of five welfare cheats charged with falsely claiming Brooklyn residency and hiding income and assets on Medicaid applications. 

            “As Brooklyn becomes more popular, it is natural to see some of the borough’s ex-pats flaunt their Brooklyn roots, but criminals, who, like these defendants, claim Brooklyn residency to steal from programs intended to help our city’s poor, will be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law – in  Brooklyn,” said District Attorney Hynes. “I would like to thank Commissioner Doar and HRA for all their help and cooperation in this investigation.” 

            “To be eligible for New York City public assistance programs, an applicant must live in New York City. Those who intentionally provide false information on their residency in an official application are committing fraud and should be forewarned that their actions will not be tolerated and that they will be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law. I would like to thank Brooklyn District Attorney Hynes for his continuous commitment to pursue the prosecution of those who commit Medicaid fraud,” said HRA Commissioner Robert Doar.  

            Fouad Fouad, 47, and his wife, Nevertity Ibrahim, 39, are charged with claiming on Medicaid application forms that they lived in a rented apartment in Dyker Heights and that their only source of income was the $300 per week Fouad earned as a taxi driver. In reality, the couple lived in a Milltown, New Jersey house they purchased for $273,000 in December of 2005, while collecting income from two other rental properties they owned in South Amboy, New Jersey, according to the indictment. Between January 1, 2006 and November 30, 2010, the couple is charged with claiming $71,704 in Medicaid benefits for themselves and their two children. 

            Tau Sing Chow, 47, and his wife, Yue Hao Zhou, 37, are charged with collecting $26,449 in Medicaid benefits for themselves and their two children, from August 1, 2006 to June 10, 2010.  The couple moved into a home they purchased for $120,000 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania in August of 2006, and their children have been regularly attending Philadelphia public schools ever since.  However, after being rejected for welfare benefits in Philadelphia due to Chow’s income as a chef in a Philadelphia Wegmans supermarket, the couple continued to claim on HRA Medicaid applications that they resided in an apartment in Bensonhurst, and they continually failed to disclose their ownership of the Philadelphia property, according to the indictment.    

            Reyes Lopez, 57, is charged with fraudulently collecting $17,000 in Medicaid benefits, over two years, for herself and two children, by hiding the fact she was married to an income producing husband and no longer living in Brooklyn. Reyes Lopez and her husband and children were living in a Valley Stream property they purchased for $400,000 in 2007. She worked at Jaguar Contracting, a business owned and operated by her husband. Furthermore, she failed to disclose that her husband collects rental income at the Brooklyn home they bought and lived in before they moved to Valley Stream, according to the indictment.  

          Charges against defendants Fouad Fouad and Nevertity Ibrahim include Welfare Fraud in the Second Degree, Grand Larceny in the Second Degree, and Offering a False Instrument for Filing in the First Degree.  If convicted of the top count, Welfare Fraud in the Second Degree, both defendants face a maximum of fifteen years in prison.   

           Charges for Tau Sing Chow and Yue Hao Zhou include Welfare Fraud in the Third Degree, Grand Larceny in the Third Degree, and Offering a False Instrument for Filing in the First Degree. The maximum sentence permissible for Welfare Fraud in the Third Degree is seven years in prison. 

           Charges against Reyes Lopez include Welfare Fraud in the Third Degree, Grand Larceny in the Third Degree and Offering a False Instrument for Filing in the First Degree.  The maximum sentence permissible for Welfare Fraud in the Third Degree is seven years in prison. 

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

           The cases are being prosecuted by Assistant District Attorney’s Sabrina Thanse and John Vourderis of the Public Assistance Crimes Unit. Lauren Mack is the Chief of the Public Assistance Crimes Unit. 

Contact:  Jonah Bruno

05

KINGS COUNTY DISTRICT ATTORNEY CHARLES J. HYNES ANNOUNCES INDICTMENT OF ANEL KOLENOVIC IN MIDWOOD VEHICULAR HOMICIDE

            Brooklyn, January 25, 2011 – Kings County District Attorney Charles J. Hynes today announced the indictment of Anel Kolenovic, charged with killing the driver of a car he struck while speeding down Ocean Avenue drunk. 

            Charges against Kolenovic, 23, include Aggravated Vehicular Homicide, Manslaughter in the Second Degree, and Operating a Motor Vehicle while Under the Influence of Alcohol. He faces up to 25 in prison. 

            On Nov. 29, 2010, Kolenovic drove his 2006 Volkswagen Passat into the car being driven by Moshe Berkowitz, 25, killing him, according to the indictment.  

            The indictment charges that on Nov. 29, 2010, Kolenovic was speeding down Ocean Avenue and ran a red light at Avenue N, in Midwood, where he hit Moshe Berkowitz’s car, killing Berkowitz. Two passengers in Kolenovic’s car were injured. The indictment charges that Kolenovic was intoxicated at the time of the incident. 

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

             The case is being prosecuted by Senior Trial Attorney Taryen O’Brien, of the Green Zone, and Executive Assistant District Attorney Gayle Dampf, Chief of the Vehicular Crimes Bureau.

Contact:  Jonah Bruno

04

KINGS COUNTY DISTRICT ATTORNEY CHARLES J. HYNES ANNOUNCES
107-YEAR-TO-LIFE SENTENCE IN
FT. GREENE BEAUTY SALON SHOOTING

             Brooklyn, January 24, 2011 – Kings County District Attorney Charles J. Hynes today announced a sentence of 107 years to life in prison, for Zaire Paige, for a 2008 shooting at Ft. beauty salon, that resulted in one death and injuries to four others. 

            Paige, 24, was convicted Nov. 12, 2010, of Murder in the Second Degree, Three Counts of Assault in the First Degree, and One Count each of Assault in the Second Degree and Criminal Possession of a Weapon in the Second Degree. He was sentenced today by Brooklyn Supreme Court Justice Vincent Del Giudice. 

            In October 2008, Paige and co-defendant Robert Crawford chased Lethania Garcia from Downtown Brooklyn to Ft. Greene, where they confronted him and chased him into the De Lux Hair Gallery, where they shot him multiple times, killing him. They also shot four others, including an off-duty police officer, who were in the salon at the time. The incident was caught on video surveillance and Crawford was arrested in February 2009. Paige was arrested in May 2009. 

            Crawford was convicted Nov. 16, 2010, of Murder in the Second Degree, Four Counts of Assault in the Second Degree and One Count of Criminal Possession of a Weapon in the Second Degree. He was sentenced Dec. 13, 2010, to 53 years to life in prison. 

            The case was prosecuted by Senior Trial Attorney Tom Ridges from the Homicide Bureau and Timothy Gough, Counsel in the Homicide Bureau. Ken Taub is Chief of the Homicide Bureau. 

Contact:  Jonah Bruno

03

KINGS COUNTY DISTRICT ATTORNEY CHARLES J. HYNES ANNOUNCES INDICTMENT IN FELONY ANIMAL CRUELTY CASE DEALING WITH HOARDING

           Brooklyn, January 21, 2011 – Kings County District Attorney Charles J. Hynes today announced the indictment of Michael Fiore, 51, on charges of Aggravated Cruelty to Animals and Overdriving, Torturing and Injuring Animals.  If convicted, he faces a maximum of two years in prison.  His wife, Hazel Fiore, 57, was indicted on misdemeanor charges of Overdriving, Torturing and Injuring Animals.  If convicted, she faces up to one year in jail.  The defendants will appear in court again on March 21 before Brooklyn Supreme Court Justice Dineen Riviezzo.   

            According to the 252 count indictment, the couple leased a third floor loft space at 722 Metropolitan Avenue for business.  Investigators from the ASPCA and the Mayor’s Alliance for NYC’s Animals conducted an investigation at the location after five kittens fell through the floorboards, which were rotted, to the loft below.  Two of those kittens were blind from an eye infection and another kitten had to have an eye removed.  They were hoarding almost 100 cats in the loft which was dirty, filled with empty bottles and cans of cat food, debris, feces and dead cat carcasses, and reeked of ammonia.  The loft was also unbearably hot.  The cats were infested with fleas, many of them had trouble breathing and had upper respiratory infections, many of the cats had eye infections, some had no eyes at all, and most of the cats’ teeth were missing.  Some of the cats were dehydrated, emaciated and in poor health.  Many of the cats had to be euthanized.

            District Attorney Hynes said, “Cruelty to animals is unacceptable behavior in any society and is a serious crime in New York. It is often a pre-cursor to domestic violence and is known be early evidence of potential serial killing. Animal hoarders need to be prosecuted and they need the mental health services that may be available to them.”

            Michael Fiore was indicted on felony and misdemeanor charges after acknowledging that he didn’t properly care for the cats and never contacted an ASPCA Officer.   

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

The case is being prosecuted by Assistant District Attorney Jessica Wilson from the Trial Bureau Grey Zone. 

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 Contact:  Sandy Silverstein
                 (718) 250-2300

02

KINGS COUNTY DISTRICT ATTORNEY CHARLES J. HYNES ANNOUNCES CONVICTION OF FORMER CO-OP BOARD PRESIDENT WHO STOLE AND ATTEMPTED TO MORTGAGE HIS FORMER APARTMENT BUILDING

           Brooklyn, January 20, 2011 – Kings County District Attorney Charles J. Hynes today announced the conviction of Fernando Maldonado, 48, on charges of Grand Larceny in the First Degree, Attempted Grand Larceny in the First Degree and Criminal Possession of a Forged Instrument in the First Degree.  He faces up to 25 years in prison when he is sentenced on March 14 before Brooklyn Supreme Court Justice Joseph McKay. 

            Maldonado was a resident and President of the Co-op Board at 242 South 2^nd Street in 1985.  He was evicted from the building in the late 1980’s and therefore lost his position on the Board, but his name remained on the original deed.  In 2008, Maldonado attempted to take out a $1.6 million mortgage on the building which he didn’t own, and filed a phony deed with the Department of Finance, transferring the property in his name.  The building was valued at $2 million.  The scheme was investigated by the Department of Investigations and Maldonado was arrested on February 18, 2009. 

            District Attorney Hynes said, "This is another example of the important prosecutions made possible by Senator Charles Schumer when he supported our efforts to prosecute mortgage fraud by supplying the funds to set up our special unit." 

            The case was prosecuted by Assistant District Attorney Andrea Clarke and Bureau Chief Laura Neubauer from the Rackets Division.  Michael Vecchione is Chief of the Rackets Division.

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Contact:  Sandy Silverstein
                 (718) 250-2300

01

KINGS COUNTY DISTRICT ATTORNEY CHARLES J. HYNES ANNOUNCES “BACK ON TRACK”, TO REDUCE CRIME AND RECIDIVISM AMONG YOUTHFUL OFFENDERS AND TRUANTS

              Brooklyn, January 20, 2011 – Kings County District Attorney Charles J. Hynes today announced the creation of a new juvenile justice initiative, Back On Track, aimed at steering at-risk young people away from criminal activity. The announcement was made at Back On Track’s new headquarters, the CPCA Community Enrichment Center, in Brownsville.

             “The best way to prevent crime is to get young people Back On Track, before they slide completely off the rails,” said District Attorney Hynes. “This new program will provide the help these wayward teens need to stay off the streets, stay out of jail and get Back On Track. I would like to thank Dedre Wade, CPCA, and all our partners for making this a successful effort.” 

            “This collaboration is in keeping with my original vision and the model of my organization, which is creating partnerships that enrich lives and community,” said Dedre Wade, President of CPCA, Inc. “And I’m very happy to partner with District Attorney Hynes on this project.” 

            The initiative will serve as a one-stop shop for Brownsville residents, ages seven to 21, who are chronically truant, involved with the criminal justice system, or considered at risk for dropping out of school. All students referred to the Brooklyn District Attorney’s truancy program and the city Department of Probation, will be assessed by Back On Track and recommended for services. A full-time social worker, employed by the Brooklyn District Attorney’s Office, will work with the participants and their families, to make sure they get the assistance they need. Services offered will include parenting workshops, GED classes, computer and office skills training, vocational assistance, CDL and drivers’ education, adult and continuing education, ESL, and access to medical, dental, and mental health services, and substance abuse treatment. 

            Services will be provided by the many partners working with the Brooklyn District Attorney’s Office and Back on Track, including CPCA, Inc.; the New York City Department of Probation; the New York City Department of Education; the Center for Court Innovation; and the Police Athletic League, all in consultation with the Vera Institute of Justice and the Bank Street College of Education.

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Contact:  Jonah Bruno
                 (718) 250-2300