001

KINGS COUNTY DISTRICT ATTORNEY CHARLES J. HYNES ANNOUNCES INDICTMENT OF INTERNET SEX PREDATOR

CYBER PREDATORS UNIT SNAGS PEDOPHILE
     

Brooklyn, May 4, 2007 - Kings County District Attorney Charles J. Hynes today announced the indictment of Martin Rilling, 28, for attempting to solicit sex from an undercover Detective Investigator posing as a 14-year-old girl.

Between May 2006 and January 2007, a detective investigator from the Brooklyn District Attorney’s Cyber Predators Unit, posed as an underage girl and engaged in numerous online instant message “chats” with Rilling. During those conversations, Rilling gave the “girl” detailed instructions on how to masturbate, and on two occasions, sent her sexually explicit photographs of himself. 

While chatting with the undercover detective, Rilling used the screen name “refmech11385,” a reference to his profession, refrigerator mechanic, and the neighborhood where he worked, Glendale, Queens, which has the zip code, 11385.

Rilling is charged with five counts of Attempted Disseminating Indecent Material to Minors in the First Degree and nine counts of Attempted Endangering the Welfare of a Child.  If convicted, he faces up to 20 years in prison.

Assistant District Attorney Kevin O’Donnell is prosecuting the case. Rhonnie Jaus is Chief of the Sex Crimes Bureau.

Contact:  Jonah Bruno
               718-250-2300

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002

KINGS COUNTY DISTRICT ATTORNEY CHARLES J. HYNES ANNOUNCES INDICTMENT OF DRUNK HIT AND RUN DRIVER WHO KILLED 13-YEAR-OLD BOY 
 

                        Brooklyn, May 8, 2007 – Kings County District Attorney Charles J. Hynes today announced the indictment of Melvin Morales, 34, for killing a 13-year-old boy in a drunken hit-and-run accident in Bushwick. Morales was drunk at the time of the incident and driving with a suspended license.   

            Morales was indicted on the top charge of  Manslaughter in the Second Degree, a Class-C Felony, punishable by a maximum of 15 years in prison.  He was also indicted on charges including Driving While Under the Influence of Alcohol, Driving While Impaired, Criminally Negligent Homicide, Vehicular Manslaughter in the Second Degree and Leaving the Scene of an Incident Without Reporting.   

            On April 29, Morales was driving a black tow truck toward the intersection of Palmetto Street and Central Avenue, when he struck the boy, Anthony Delgado, who was riding his bicycle home from a party.  Morales then fled the scene.  Police officers from the 83rd Precinct chased after him. 

            A short while later, the same police officers found the truck occupied by the defendant in front of 1780 Broadway.  He exhibited watery eyes and he had alcohol on his breath.  When Morales was arrested, he had a blood alcohol level of .096%.  

           Delgado was pronounced dead on arrival at Brookdale Hospital. 

           Jennifer Nocella, Deputy Bureau Chief in the Vehicular Crimes Bureau, is prosecuting the case.  

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

Contact:  Sandy Silverstein
               718-250-2300

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003

KINGS COUNTY DISTRICT ATTORNEY CHARLES J. HYNES AND NEW YORK CITY TRANSIT PRESIDENT HOWARD H. ROBERTS ANNOUNCE ARRESTS IN WORKERS’ COMP SCAMS           

            Brooklyn, May 9, 2007 – Kings County District Attorney Charles J. Hynes and New York City Transit President Howard H. Roberts, Jr. today announced the arrest of four NYCTA employees for falsely claiming Workers’ Compensation benefits for injuries they either never sustained or grossly exaggerated.  

District Attorney Hynes said, “Workers’ Comp. is a great benefit for people with legitimate injuries, and these defendants made a mockery of the safety-net system by faking their injuries and illegally collecting disability benefits. I’d like to thank NYCTA President Roberts and his staff for their cooperation in this investigation.” 

MTA NYC Transit President Roberts said, “Employees who fraudulently collect Workers’ Compensation payments are stealing from NYC Transit and their fellow employees. The money they are stealing could otherwise go to improvements in employee safety and customer services. I congratulate the NYC Transit Law Department’s Special Investigations Unit and District Attorney Hynes and his staff on this case.”  

Though the four cases are not related, the charges against each defendant include Grand Larceny in the Third Degree and multiple counts of Offering a False Instrument for Filing in the First Degree, and Insurance Fraud in the Third Degree, Falsifying Business Records in the First Degree, and Fraudulent Practices. They face up to seven years in prison. 

In September of last year, Valerie Scroggins, 44, told her employers at the New York City Transit Authority that, due to a shoulder injury sustained on the job, she could not fulfill her duties as a bus driver. From September 18, 2006 to January 27, 2007, Scroggins received disability checks every two weeks, totaling $13,348.98. In November of 2006, investigators traveled to Amsterdam and Dublin, where they saw, and filmed, Scroggins playing drums in a rock band, ESG, which was touring Europe. In both concerts witnessed by investigators, Scroggins played drums for an hour or more and on every song the band played, doing things very similar to actions she told her employers she could not perform. After the concert in Dublin, she autographed the cover of an ESG compact disc the investigator had bought and posed for pictures with him.  

On August 20, 2005, Steven Sanfilippo, 54, a bus driver with the Manhattan and Bronx Surface Transportation Operating Authority, reported that a neck and back injury he sustained on the job would prevent him from working in any capacity, lifting heavy items or driving, and that he even needed assistance eating and bathing. He collected Workers’ Compensation checks once every two weeks from September 7, 2005 until April 17, 2006, totaling $23,275.47. During that time, while Sanfilippo asserted that he had no outside employment, he was actually the director of Bronx County Realty Corp. He was caught on video by investigators driving, picking up dry cleaning, carrying bags, and entering and leaving his realty office without showing any outward signs of discomfort or stiffness in the back and neck.  

Sanfilippo also took a private investigator out and showed him property which was for sale and even gave the investigator his business card.  

The third defendant, Ricardo Yolas, 53, was employed as a Transit Authority car inspector, where he claimed to have hurt his back lifting heavy welding materials. The injury kept Yolas out of work from September 5, 2004 through March 16, 2005, during which time he collected workers’ compensation payments every two weeks, totaling $20,824.61. Though he told his employers that he could not perform any physical activities or work due to his injury, Yolas was actually operating a business in the Poconos cleaning rooms at a Best Western hotel.  

Louis Guadagni, 54, a train operator for the NYCTA, claimed he injured his back and leg on the job and filed for workers’ compensation benefits on November 20, 2005, collecting bi-weekly payments until January 26, 2006, for a total of $7,660.92. During that time, he swore that he had no outside employment and that his injuries prevented him from standing  for long periods of time, driving or lifting heavy objects, and that he needed help to perform basic physical activities. However, investigators observed Guadagni driving more than 40 miles from his home to a Key Food supermarket he owned in Brooklyn, and that they saw him walk comfortably and run across the street without showing any signs of discomfort.  

The case was investigated by Confidential Investigators Beth-Ann Permuy and Louis DelValle, and Supervising Investigator Gary J. Lombard of the NYCTA Special Investigation Unit, headed by James Manning.

The case being prosecuted by Senior Investigative Attorney Patrick Cappock. Michael Vecchione is Chief of the Rackets Division. 

Contact:  Jonah Bruno
               718-250-2300

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003a

EL FISCAL DEL CONDADO DE KINGS CHARLES J. HYNES Y ELPRESIDENTE DE TRANSITO DE LA CUIDAD DE NUEVA YORK HOWARD H. ROBERTS ANUNCIAN ARRESTOS DE UN FRAUDE DE COMPENSACION DE TRABAJADORES 

Brooklyn, 9 de mayo de 2007 – El fiscal del condado de Kings, Charles J. Hynes, y el presidente de transito de la cuidad de Nueva York, Howard H. Roberts, Jr., anunciaron hoy el arresto de cuatro empleados del NYCTA por reclamar falsamente beneficios de compensación de trabajadores por lesiones que nunca tuvieron o fueron exageradas.   

El fiscal Hynes dijo, “La compensación para trabajadores es un gran beneficio para personas con lesiones legítimos, y estos acusados hicieron una burla de este sistema de protección falsificando lesiones y recibiendo beneficios de incapacidad ilegalmente.  Quisiera agradecer al presidente Roberts de NYCTA y a sus empleados por su cooperación en esta investigación.” 

El presidente Roberts de transito MTA NYC dijo, “Empleados que obtienen pagos de compensación de trabajadores fraudulentamente están robando del  transito de NYC y sus colegas empleados. El dinero que están robando podría de otra manera ir para mejoras de la seguridad de los empleados y servicios para los clientes. Felicito a la unidad de investigaciones especiales del departamento legal de transito de NYC y al fiscal Hynes y a sus empleados en este caso.”  

Aunque los cuatro casos no están relacionados, los cargos contra cada acusado incluyen hurto en el tercer grado, y múltiples cargos de ofrecer un instrumento falso en primer grado, y fraude de seguros en tercer grado, falsificando negocios en primer grado y prácticas fraudulentas. Ellos podrán enfrentarse a siete años de prisión.

En septiembre de el año pasado, Valerie Scroggins, de 44 años, dijo a sus empleadores en el transito de Nueva York que, debido a una lesión en el hombro obtenida en el trabajo, ella no podía cumplir con sus obligaciones de chauffeur de bus. Desde el 18 de septiembre del 2006, hasta el 27 de enero del 2007, Scroggins recibio cheques por incapacidad cada dos semanas, recibiendo una totalidad de $13,348.98. En noviembre de el 2006, los investigadores viajaron a Ámsterdam y Dublín, donde ellos vieron y filmaron a Scroggins tocando tambores en una banda de rock, ESG, que estaba de jiro por Europa. En ambos conciertos los investigadores fueron testigos que Scroggins toco tambores por una hora o mas y en cada canción que la banda tocaba hacia cosas muy similares a acciones que ella dijo a sus empleadores no podía hacer. Después del concierto en Dublín, ella autografió la cubierta de un disco compacto de ESG que el investigador habia comprado y posado por una foto con el. 

El 20 de agosto de 2005, Steven Sanfilippo, de 54 años, un chauffeur de autobús con la Surface Transportation Operating Authority de Manhattan y Bronx, reporto que una lesión de cuello y  espalda obtenida en el trabajo le impedía  trabajar en cualquier capacitar levantando objetos pesados o manejar, y que el incluso necesitaba  ayuda para comer y bañarse. El obtuvo cheques de compensación de trabajador una vez cada dos semanas desde el 7 de septiembre del 2005 hasta el 17 de abril del 2006, haciendo un total de $23,275.47. Durante este tiempo, mientras Sanfilippo aseguraba otro trabajo, el fue el director del Bronx County Realty Corp. El fue pescado por investigadores en un  video manejando, levantando ropa de lavado en seco, llevando bolsas, y entrando y saliendo de la oficina de bienes raíces sin dar muestras de rigidez o molestia en el cuello y espalda.   

Sanfilippo también llevo al investigar privado a ver una propiedad qué estaba en venta, incluso le dio su tarjeta de negocios.   

El tercer acusado, Ricardo Yolas, de 53 años, estaba empleado como inspector por la autoridad del transito donde el reclamo qué habia sido lesionado en la espalda por levantar objetos pesados de materiales de soldadura. La lesión mantuvo a Yolas fuera del trabajo desde el 5 de septiembre de el 2004, hasta el 16 de marzo de el 2005, durante cuyo tiempo el recibió pagos de compensación de trabajadores cada dos semanas por un total de $20,824.61. Aunque el dijo a sus empleadores que no podía realizar actividades fisicas o trabajo debido a la lesión, Yolas estaba operando un negocio en los Poconos limpiando piezas para el Best Western hotel.  

Louis Guadagni, de 54 años, un operador de trenes para NYCTA, presento  beneficios de compensación para trabajadores, el 20 de noviembre de 2005, y reclamo que lesiono su espalda y pierna en el trabajo, recibiendo pago bisemanales hasta el 16 de enero de 2006, por un total de $7,660.92. Durante este tiempo el juro que el no tenia ningún otro trabajo y que sus lesiones le impedían estar parado por largo periodos de tiempo, manejando o levantando objetos pesados y que el necesitaba ayuda para realizar actividades físicas básicas. De todas maneras los investigadores observaron a Guadagni manejaron por mas de 40 millas,  desde su casa hasta Key Food supermercado del cual el era dueño en Brooklyn, y que lo vieron caminar confortablemente y correr por la calle sin mostrar signos de incomodidad.  

El caso fue investigado por Confidential Investigators Beth-Ann Permuy y Gary J. Lombard, e investigador supervisor Gary J. Lombard de la unidad de investigaciones especiales de NYCTA, encabezada por James Manning. 

El caso judicial esta siendo  procesado por el Senior Investigative Attorney Patrick Cappock. Michael Vecchione es el jefe de Rackets Division.   

Contacto:  Jonah Bruno
                718-250-2300

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003b

Окружной Прокурор Графства Кингс Чарлз Хайнс и
Президент  Нью Йорк Сити  Транзита Ховард Робертс
объявили об аресте по делу связанному с
мошенничеством с  Рабочей Компенсацией . 

Бруклин, 9 мая 2007 года: 

Окружной Прокурор Графства Кингс Чарлз Хайнс и  Президент Нью Йорк Сити Транзита Ховард Робертс сегодня объявили об аресте четверых работников НЙСТА по ложным запросам выплат рабочей компенсации за фиктивные или сильно преувеличенные травмы. 

Окружной Прокурор Хайнс сказал: “Рабочая Компенсация это прекрасная помошь для людей с настоящими травмами и эти подсудимые насмехаются над этой зашитной системой путем подделки травм и нелегально получая выплаты и другие льготы по инвалидности. Я хочу поблагодарить Президента НЙСТА Робертса и его сотрудников за их помощь в этом раследовании”. 

Президент МТА НЙС Транзита Робертс сказал: “Работники, которые мошенническим путем получают выплаты Рабочей Компенсации крадут у НЙСТ и у своих сослуживцев.  Деньги, которые они крадут могли бы использоваться для улучшения безопасности рабочих и обслуживания клиентов. Я поздравляю Отдел Специальных Расследований Юридического Департамента НЙС Транзит и Окружного Прокурора Хайнса и его сотрудников с успехом в этом деле”. 

Хотя эти четыре дела и не связаны друг с другом, обвинения представленные каждому из подсудимых включают статьи “О хищениях в особо крупных размерах третьей степени” и несколько обвинений по статье “Предложение поддельных документов первой степени”, а также “Страховые махинации третьей степени”, “Подделка деловых документов третьей степени” и “Мошенничество”. Им грозит до семи лет тюремного заключения. 

В сентябре прошлого года Валери Скрогинз, 44, сказала своему начальству в НЙСТА что в связи с травмой плеча, полученной на рабочем месте она не может исполнять свои обязанности водителя автобуса. С 18 сентября 2006 года по 27 января 2007 Скрогинз получала чеки по инвалидности каждые две недели, полная сумма $13,348.98. В ноябре 2006 года следователи ездили в Амстердам и Дублин, где они видели и снимали на видеопленку Скрогинз играющую на барабанах в рок группе ЕСГ, которая находилась в турне по Европе.  В обоих концерта, посещенных следователями Скрогинз играла на барабанах на протяжении часа или более, и в каждой исполняемой песне она делала вещи очень похожие на те, которые она описывала своим работодателям как невыполнимые. После концерта в Дублине она подписала обложку ЕСГ диска который следователь купил и сфотографировалась со следователем. 

20 августа 2005 года Стивен СанФилиппо, 54, водитель автобуса при Манхеттен и Вронкс СЕТ сообщил, что травма спины и шеи, которые он получил на работе, не позволяет ему  выполнять работу, связанную с подъемом тяжестей или вождением автомобиля, и что ему даже нужна помощь с едой и купанием. Он получал чеки рабочей компенсации раз в две недели с 7 сентября 2005 года по 17 апреля 2006 года, общей суммой $23,275.47. В то время, пока СанФилиппо утверждал, что у него не было никакой другой работы, на самом деле он был директором Бронкс Каунти Реалти Корп. Он был снят следователями на видео за рулем автомобиля когда он забирал вещи из химчистки, несущим пакеты, входящим и выходящим из его реалти оффиса,  при этом он не проявлял никаких внешних признаков дискомфорта или неподвижности в спине и шее. 

СанФилппо также вывез частного следователя, чтобы показать ему объект продажи и даже дал следователю свою бизнескарточку. 

Третий подсудимый  Рекардо Йолас, 53, работал на ТА инспектором машин где по его словам получил травму спины вследствие поднимания тяжелых предметов. Травма не позволяла ему работать  с 5 сентября 2004 года по 16 марта 2005 года. В это время он плучал выплаты рабочей компенсации каждые две недели, общая сумма  $20,824.61. Хотя он сказал своим работодателям, что он не мог участвовать в физических нагрузках или работе из-за своей травмы, Йолас вел бизнес в Поконос по уборке комнат в Бест Вестерн отеле. 

Луис Гвадагни , 54, водитель поезда в НЙСТА, говорил, что он травмировал спину и ногу на рабочем месте и запросил бенефиты рабочей компенсации 20 ноября 2005 года и получал выплаты каждые две недели до 26 января 2006 года. Общая сумма $7,660.92. В это время он клялся, что  у него нет другого рабочего места и что его травма не дает ему стоять на протяжении длительного времени, водить машину или поднимать тяжелые объекты и что ему нужна помощь в самых простых физических действиях. В это же время следователи видели Гвадагни за рулем машины более 40 миль от его дома по пути в Key Food супермаркет, которым он владел в Бруклине, и видели как он свободно ходил и бегал через улицу, не показывая никаких внешних признаков дискомфорта.  

Это дело было расследовано Конфеденциальными Следователями Бесс-Анн Пермуй и Гарри Ломбард, и Старшим Следователем Гарри Ломбард НЙСЕА Отдела Специальных Расследований, которым заведует Джеймс Маннинг. 

Обвинителем в этом деле является Старший Следователь Патрик Каппок. Майкл Вечиони является Начальником Отдела по Борьбе с Рэкетом.

Контакт: Джона Брюно
               (718)250-2300

Translation by:
Mariya Goryanina
A.D.A., Trial Bureau Green

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004

KINGS COUNTY DISTRICT ATTORNEY CHARLES J. HYNES UNVEILED NEW MOBILE NEIGHBORHOOD OFFICE VAN AND ANNOUNCED OPENING OF MIDWOOD NEIGHBORHOOD OFFICE 

MOBILE VAN COMING TO A NEIGHBORHOOD NEAR YOU 

           Brooklyn, May 14, 2007 – Kings County District Attorney Charles J. Hynes today introduced a new mobile Neighborhood Office Van which will travel to different areas in Brooklyn in order to expand outreach to neighborhoods. It will inform the public of the services that the DA’s office offers, provide tips on crime prevention and take complaints from concerned residents. DA Hynes is also announcing the opening of a new Neighborhood Office in Midwood.  

            “The office in Midwood and the new mobile office are the latest additions to an ongoing program of outreach and education by my office,” said District Attorney Hynes. “It is vital that the citizens of Brooklyn know that help is available and where to find the assistance they need.” 

            The Neighborhood Van is an important new component of the District Attorney’s Neighborhood Office’s Program, which previously had been limited to stationary offices in a handful of neighborhoods.  Residents can visit or call a Neighborhood Office to make complaints or seek assistance or information.  Brooklyn residents discuss problems that are a concern to them and their communities District Attorney’s staff.  Some of the problems discussed include elder abuse, drug activity, sex abuse and domestic violence, among others. 

An important goal of the Neighborhood Offices is to forge relationships with neighborhood institutions in order to work with them to educate the community on safety issues and prevention strategies.   

            The opening of the Midwood office is a partnership between DA Hynes and Maria Nigido, Director of the Sephardic Senior Center where the new Office is located, 485 Kings Highway.  The Midwood Office will be open on Tuesdays from 9:00 AM – 4:00 PM.  Two counselors from the DA’s office will staff the new Center, taking call complaints and speaking to walk-ins who have complaints or questions. 

            For more information about the Neighborhood Offices, you can call (718) 250-2555 or visit www.brooklynda.org.

Contact:  Sandy Silverstein
                718-250-2300

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005

KINGS COUNTY DISTRICT ATTORNEY CHARLES J. HYNES ANNOUNCES RECIPIENTS OF 17^TH ANNUAL LAW ENFORCEMENT APPRECIATION AWARDS 

RECIPIENTS INCLUDE OFFICERS WHO HAVE SAVED A BABY’S LIFE, DISARMED DANGEROUS ASSAILANTS, DODGED BULLETS, FOILED ROBBERIES AND TAKEN SEXUAL PREDATORS OFF THE STREETS  

            Brooklyn, May 18, 2007 – Kings County District Attorney Charles J. Hynes today announced the recipients of his 17th annual Law Enforcement Appreciation Awards. Thirty-three honorees from the New York Police Department, New York Fire Department, Unified Court System and Kings County District Attorney’s Office received awards for their heroism, courage, dedication to the job and outstanding work in keeping Brooklyn safe. The ceremony took place at the Brooklyn Marriott Hotel.  Juliet Papa of 1010 WINS emceed the event. 

            This year’s recipients were selected from a long list of nominees. The selected officers put their lives on the line every day. Some of the honorees were selected for their heroism and calmness under extreme circumstances. Some officers were involved in gunfights. Others had to disarm a dangerous criminal as he held a knife to a woman’s head. Other officers were recognized for their work in the community.  

            District Attorney Hynes said, “I am proud to honor all of this year’s recipients. They keep dangerous criminals off the streets, making life better for all of us. They go to great lengths to ensure we are safe, sometimes putting their own lives at risk. We can proudly look up to these individuals as great role models. Law enforcement officers, of course, play a significant role in reducing crime. With officers such as these on our front lines, we are all a little safer each day.” 

This year’s award recipients include: 

Sergeant Bruno Valenti and Police Officers Brian Higgins and Leslie Grant – On January 3, 2007, these officers helped deliver a baby. They responded to a radio call of a woman who was going into labor. They acted immediately and rushed to the scene where Blanca Enriquez told the officers that her water had broken. Sgt. Valenti calmed the woman down while Officers Higgins and Grant cleared away the crowd surrounding the pregnant woman. Valenti then used his duty jacket to cover the ground and assisted with the delivery of the baby. Thanks to their efforts, the woman gave birth safely to a healthy baby girl.  

Con Edison Customer Field Representatives Raymond Leslie and Nancy Fines These Con Edison veterans are assigned to Customer Operations and go to people’s homes to read their electric meters. But on August 9, 2006, in Coney Island they encountered a different situation than they have ever seen before. There, in Kings Highway, they spotted a man molesting a 10-year-old girl in the basement of a store. Remaining on the scene, they immediately called their supervisor who alerted police. Their quick action and instincts saved the child from additional harm. Their testimony before a grand jury led to the defendant’s arrest and eventual conviction.  

Lieutenant Clint McPherson, Police Officers Yancy Blowe, Michael Simmonds, Kevin Savary and Anthony Maisto – On November 15, 2006, these five officers from the 69th Precinct were on a routine patrol when they heard several gunshots. Then they noticed a large crowd running from the nearby Rockaway Parkway station of the L train.  The officers rushed to the location to investigate. They discovered that two had been involved in a dispute with several other passengers inside the train station. One suspect, Dwayne Holmes, pulled out a gun and fired three times, hitting three people, one of whom died at the scene. Holmes and the second man, Kendal Bennet, tried to flee. The officers pursued them on foot and arrested them. Holmes was indicted on murder charges and is now facing the possibility of life in prison.   

Police Officers Robert Clemenza, Peter Hassler, Jason Auerbach, and Mitchell Gross – Earl Bonner and Earl Robinson posed as Con Edison workers there to read a meter and got into the apartment they planned on robbing. Once inside they told ordered the residents to the floor and demanded money at gunpoint. A downstairs neighbor heard the commotion and called police. The four officers responded to the scene. Officers Auerbach and Hassler saw two men fleeing from the rear of the building. Outside officer Clemenza spotted one of the suspects, chased after him and caught him. Officer Gross got the other armed suspect nearby. Two guns were recovered. Bonner and Robinson were both indicted on Burglary, Attempted Robbery and Assault charges.  

Sergeant Eric Chappell and Police Officers Anzelmo Giovanniello and Matthew Koeth – These officers from the 70th Precinct devised a plan to capture a sexual predator who had been groping young girls on certain city buses. The officers spent a day riding those routes in plain clothes. Before long they spotted the man forcing himself on an underage girl and arrested him. There were five other open complaints against this man.   

Police Officer Peter McCarthy – Officer McCarthy, of Brooklyn’s 71st Precinct, made 63 arrests last year. But there were two specific incidents that stand out. First, on December 12, 2006, Officer McCarthy was on patrol when he responded to a radio call of a commercial robbery in progress. At the scene he learned that there were two armed men holding up a store at 953 Nostrand Avenue. He radioed for backup and entered the store with caution. The suspects saw the officer and fled through a back door. Officer McCarthy chased them into a rear yard where they tried to jump a fence. When officer McCarthy ordered the men to stop, one of them turned and pointed a gun at the police officer. The officer took cover and repeated his order for the suspect to drop the weapon. After a tense moment, they dropped their guns and were arrested. The defendants have both been indicted and are awaiting trial. Officer McCarthy made another significant arrest on December 20, 2006.  He spotted Hillard Sanders riding a bicycle on the sidewalk and then pedaling into oncoming traffic, causing several cars to swerve. Sanders tried to flee on foot from the officer. When officer McCarthy caught the suspect, he attempted to resist, the officer eventually was able to subdue and arrest him. The man had been concealing a black pellet gun under his jacket, and he was arrested, though he gave a false name and false identification.. Officer McCarthy was finally able to subdue and arrest Sanders.  A black pellet gun was recovered.  Sanders gave the officer a false name and showed him false ID. During questioning at the police precinct, Sanders admitted his real name and made statements implicating himself in three robberies in the 71st Precinct.  

Sergeant David Cheesewright and Police Officer Michael Byrnes – Sgt. Cheesewright and Officer Byrnes work out of the 77th Precinct, where they obtained 38 search warrants last year. They recovered 16 firearms as a result of these warrants and pick-up arrests. They also seized a large amount of narcotics. Sgt. Cheesewright has been with the NYPD since 1991. He was promoted to Sergeant in 1999 and was assigned to the 77th Precinct, where he has been instrumental in crime reduction. Officer Byrnes was appointed to the NYPD in 1993. He has been assigned to several 77th Precinct arrest units and has made many arrests for robbery, narcotics and weapons possession. In 2006, he executed a total of 26 felony arrests and 14 misdemeanor arrests.   

Sergeant Richard Pignatelli – Sgt. Pignatelli has based his career on the goal of getting guns off the streets in Brooklyn. He started with the NYPD in 1996 after seeing the effect that gun violence had on his community. He has been assigned as a plainclothes Anti-Crime officer in the 79th Precinct and also worked in the Brooklyn North Anti-Crime unit, where illegal firearms were a major concern.  In 2006, he was promoted to Sergeant and assigned to the 67th Precinct, where he currently works. He was quickly made an Anti-Crime Team Supervisor. He has demonstrated a tremendous ability to identify the signs of gun possession. As a result of his efforts, the 67th Precinct produced an incredible 49.1% increase in gun arrests in 2006, even though they received fewer complaints reported to the Civilian Complaint Review Board than in 2005. During one six-hour period, his Precinct made 18 illegal firearm arrests. In 2006, the Anti-Crime teams led by Sgt. Pignatelli made 67 total arrests for illegal gun possession and seized 55 illegal firearms.   

Police Officer Louis Gubitosi – Officer Gubitosi is a sniper-trained Marine who served a tour of duty in fighting in Iraq. On September 30, 2006, Officer Gubitosi was on a routine patrol with a couple of his fellow officers from the 76th Precinct, when they received a radio call about a man had assaulted a woman at the intersection of Smith Street and Butler. When the officers arrived, he threw the woman to the ground and ran along Smith Street. Officer Gubitosi chased after him on foot. At the corner of Baltic Street, the defendant, Joseph Bernazard, grabbed another woman as she was exiting a supermarket. He placed her in a headlock and pressed a knife to her head. He positioned himself behind her, using the woman as a shield. Gubitosi and other officers surrounded Bernazard and opened a dialogue with him. They ordered him to drop the knife. But Bernazard refused and continued to threaten the woman’s life. After exhausting all other options, they realized that they would have to shoot Bernazard, otherwise he would kill his hostage. Officer Gubitosi’s Lieutenant asked the officers if they had a clear shot.  Officer Gubitosi was the only one who felt he did. He fired one round from his weapon and shot Bernazard in the neck, killing him. The woman was unharmed. 

Sergeant Chik-Sum Gong and Police Officers Hector Ramirez, John Antonacci

and Nicholas Horun -  On March 13, 2006, these officers from the 81st Precinct responded to a radio call to 834 Halsey Street. According to witnesses, Jonathan Julian, a resident of the building, was acting irrationally and wielding knives on the third floor. He set fire to the third-floor kitchen to get rid of the demons he believed were in the house. As firefighters put out the flames, the officers knocked on Julian’s door. When he opened the door, the officers asked to see his hands. He tried to close the door on the officers but they pushed it open. They saw a gun in his hand. During the ensuing struggle, Julian fired two shots. One round struck Officer Ramirez’s bullet-proof vest. The other shot grazed Officer Antonacci’s back, between his vest and body. Then Julian bit Officer Horun on the right hand while he tried to subdue Julian. Sgt. Gong eventually grabbed the weapon and wrestled it from Julian’s hand.  

Sergeant Barbara Fischer and Police Officer Eliseo Morales – On September 28, 2006, Sgt. Fisher and Officer Morales, of the 75th Precinct, responded to a radio call about an unconscious baby. They rushed to the scene. When they got there, they were met by the  baby’s frantic mother. Sgt. Fischer, who is a trained paramedic, determined that the 14 month-old baby girl was in respiratory arrest and needed immediate medical attention. If they waited for an ambulance, it might be too late. As other police units cleared a route, they transported the baby to Jamaica Hospital in their patrol car. Their quick thinking and immediate action saved the child’s life. 

Court Officers Todd Taylor and James Barbieri – On September 26, 2007,

Court Office Taylor noticed a cameraman filming an attorney, Goldie Willoughby, as he entered the Criminal Courthouse at 120 Schermerhorn St. The cameraman told Office Taylor that he believed Willoughby was not a licensed attorney, although he was practicing appearing in court on behalf of paying clients. He followed Willoughby into one of the domestic violence courtrooms. There he alerted fellow court officers to his suspicion. Officer Barbieri saw Willoughby file a notice of appearance in a case before Judge Miriam Cyrulnik. After being notified of the situation, Judge Cyrulnik stopped court proceedings. Willoughby fled the courtroom and hurried down eight flights of stairs. A sergeant stopped him, and along with Officer Taylor, brought him back to the courtroom. Willoughby was arrested. Business cards and other records indicated that he had been practicing illegally as a lawyer. He has since been indicted. 

Fire Marshal Lawrence Rottkamp –  Fire Marshal Rottkamp is assigned to the

Bureau of Fire Investigation’s Special Operation Command in Brooklyn. He is a 16-year veteran of the New York Fire Department.  He has spent the last six years as a Fire Marshal.  On May 2, 2006, Fire Marshal Rottkamp’s investigation of the largest fire in the city in many years led to the arrest and prosecution of an arsonist. A fire had erupted that day in the vacant Greenpoint Terminal Market complex. The fire consumed approximately 12 buildings. A joint taskforce involving several agencies was formed.  Fire Marshal Rottkamp was appointed as the lead investigator.  He was responsible for examining the scene and determining the origin and cause of the fire.  Based on his observations and interviews with firefighters, he was able to focus his investigation on one building located at the waterfront.  He directed the excavation of the fire scene, which led to the discovery of the fire’s origin and helped investigators determine the culprit, who was arrested.   

Supervising Investigator Marguerite Grampus – Supervising Investigator Grampus manages every aspect of the Kings County District Attorney’s Witness Relocation Unit. She interviews every threatened witness brought before her. She oversees every aspect of ensuring the witness’s safety. This includes working closely with law enforcement personnel and various housing agencies. In addition to her work with these witnesses, she volunteers in the community. She works with the Greater Allen Cathedral of Jamaica, Queens, teaching Sunday school to five-year-olds. She is also very active with the church’s outreach program. It works with the homeless and recovering drug addicts, to provide them with clothing, meals, entertainment, prayer, spiritual resource materials and encouragement.   

Assistant District Attorney Charles Coleman, Jr. – ADA Coleman has worked for the Office of the Brooklyn District Attorney for two years. He was shopping at Modell’s on Fulton Street, Feb. 6, of this year, when he spotted a man having a seizure beneath sweatshirt rack. He quickly alerted the store employees, who called 911, and then slid a ball-point pen into the man’s mouth to hold his tongue away from his airway, so he would not choke. 

Contact:  Sandy Silverstein
               718-250-2300

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DISTRICT ATTORNEY CHARLES J. HYNES SALUTES
THE BROOKLYN 700 

Brooklyn, May 23 – Kings County District Attorney Charles J. today presented 700 students from Brooklyn’s elementary, junior high and high schools with Citation of Honor Awards for their outstanding work in promoting Progress Through Justice.

DA Hynes told the students and their parents that 18 years ago when he conceived the idea of an award saluting Progress Through Justice, he really gave a lot of thought to the meaning of that expression.

“To me it stands for seeing and doing what is right and using those ideals to move forward into the future,” said DA Hynes. “It stands for learning from our past and applying it to our future,” he added.

DA Hynes said the award recipients have been monitors, tutored younger students, managed sports teams, sang in school choirs, served on safety patrols, and have acted as role models to younger students.

“They do all this with smiles on their beautiful faces and while maintaining good grades and completing their school work,” DA Hynes said. “These students epitomize the ideals and goals of the Progress Through Justice Award,” he added.

DA Hynes led the students in a solemn pledge to uphold the ideals and objectives of the Progress Through Justice Citation of Honor and to incorporate these ideals into their everyday activities and use them to make this world a better place to live.

Two students were selected from the graduating class of every public school in the Borough of Brooklyn by their principals. DA Hynes recognized the students for their outstanding leadership, character and service in the school and community.

Contact: J. Zamgba Browne
                 (718) 250-3850

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KINGS COUNTY DISTRICT ATTORNEY CHARLES J. HYNES ANNOUNCES GUILTY PLEA IN HOMICIDE OF 19-MONTH-OLD BABY 

BABY SITTER TO SERVE 17 YEARS FOR MANSLAUGHTER 

             Brooklyn, May 24, 2007 - Kings County District Attorney Charles J. Hynes today announced that Tammy Williams, 42, pled guilty to Manslaughter in the First Degree and Endangering the Welfare of a Child. 

            On June 11, before Brooklyn Supreme Court Justice Gustin L. Reichbach, Williams will be sentenced to 17 years in prison. 

            While babysitting 19-month-old Jaylen Robinson for one week, Williams put duct tape over Jaylen’s mouth, bound his feet with tape, and poked his feet with scissors, in order to stop him from crying. The New York City Medical Examiner’s office determined that the duct tape on the baby’s mouth caused him to die of asphyxiation. 

            Jacqueline Kagan, Deputy Bureau Chief of the Crimes Against Children Bureau prosecuted the case. Ama Dwimoh is Chief of the Crimes Against Children Bureau. 

Contact:  Jonah Bruno
              718-250-2300

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