About Edwin Pineda

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Thursday, November 13, 2025

Brooklyn Man Sentenced to up to 12 Years in Prison for Fatal Crash

Defendant was Fleeing Police When He Ran Red Light at 75 Miles Per Hour;
Victim Was Ejected from Vehicle, Struck by Defendant and Later Died

Brooklyn District Attorney Eric Gonzalez today announced that a Cypress Hills man has been sentenced to four to 12 years in prison for causing a fatal collision that killed a 29-year-old woman in Bushwick. Police had attempted to stop the defendant for speeding, but instead of stopping he ran a red light and struck another vehicle, killing a passenger.

District Attorney Gonzalez said, “By speeding, fleeing police, and running a red light, this defendant turned his car into a deadly weapon. His reckless choices stole a young woman’s future and caused immeasurable grief to her loved ones. Today’s sentence sends a clear message that this kind of lawlessness will not be tolerated in Brooklyn.”

The District Attorney identified the defendant as Juan Lopez, 33, of Cypress Hills, Brooklyn. He pleaded guilty to second-degree manslaughter, first-degree unlawful fleeing of a police officer in a motor vehicle and leaving the scene of an incident without reporting where serious physical injury or death results on August 20, 2025. He was sentenced today by Brooklyn Supreme Court Justice Eugene Guarino to an indeterminate term of four to 12 years in prison.

The District Attorney said that, according to the investigation, on May 26, 2024, at approximately 5:28 a.m., officers from the NYPD’s 83rd Precinct activated lights and sirens and attempted to stop the defendant, who was driving a black 2018 Mercedes Benz at a high rate of speed on Gates Avenue in Bushwick. The defendant failed to pull over, accelerated through a steady red light at the intersection of Gates Avenue and Central Avenue, and collided with a 2005 Honda Pilot that was traveling through the intersection with a green light. A review of the vehicle’s black box determined the defendant was traveling at approximately 75 miles per hour five seconds before the crash.

The impact caused the victim, Micah Elizabeth Dukes, 29, who was a passenger in the Honda, to be ejected from the vehicle. She suffered severe head and facial injuries as well as a punctured lung and was transported to Elmhurst Hospital. She was transferred to NYU Langone Medical Center in Manhattan, where she died due to her injuries on June 8, 2024.

Following the crash, the defendant fled the scene on foot and was apprehended by responding officers. Officers observed signs of intoxication, and the defendant later admitted to consuming alcohol before getting behind the wheel.

Assistant District Attorney Christopher Velez, Deputy Chief the District Attorney’s Street Safety Bureau and Assistant District Attorney Jennifer Nocella, Chief of the Street Safety Bureau, assisted in the case.

The case was prosecuted by Senior Assistant District Attorney Christopher Brogna and Assistant District Attorney Brendan Fitzpatrick, of the District Attorney’s Grey Zone Trial Bureau, under the supervision of Assistant District Attorney Robert Walsh, Bureau Chief.

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Thursday, November 6, 2025

Five Alleged Members of Brooklyn Biker Gang Arraigned on Indictment
In Connection with Shooting in East Flatbush

Forty-four Rounds Fired in Dispute with Rival Bikers on Busy Street,
Three Individuals Shot and Wounded; Eight Firearms Recovered

Brooklyn District Attorney Eric Gonzalez today announced that five men who are alleged to be members of the Brooklyn-founded biker gang known as Street Knights Motorcycle Club have been arraigned on a 52-count indictment in which they are variously charged with attempted murder, assault, reckless endangerment, criminal possession of a weapon and related charges for a shooting in East Flatbush last spring.

District Attorney Gonzalez said, “With this indictment, we allege these defendants turned a busy East Flatbush block into chaos, firing 44 rounds, wounding three people, and sending bystanders running for their lives. We will seek justice for the victims and the community. Brooklyn’s record-low gun violence is no accident; it is the result of outstanding work by the NYPD and our relentless pursuit of accountability when people pull the trigger.”

The District Attorney identified the defendants as Ricardo Johnson, 51, of Sicklerville, New Jersey, Akeem McDonald, 37, of Huntington Station, Long Island, Saanshuray Bobbitt, 43, of Jamaica, Queens, Raheem Watson, 41, of Cypress Hills, Brooklyn, Melsone Gasby, 47, of Deer Park, Long Island. Four of the defendants were arraigned yesterday before Brooklyn Supreme Court Justice Herbert Moses on a 52-count indictment in which they are variously charged with second-degree attempted murder, first-degree assault, first-degree criminal use of a firearm, first-degree attempted assault, first-degree reckless endangerment, second-degree criminal possession of a weapon and related charges. Johnson’s arraignment is pending extradition from New Jersey. Bobbitt, McDonald and Watson were ordered held without bail. Gasby’s bail was set at $200,000 cash or $400,000 bond. The defendants were ordered to return to court on December 17, 2025.

Eight firearms, including one assault rifle, were recovered yesterday morning during the execution of search warrants at the residences of McDonald, Bobbitt, Watson, and Gasby.

The District Attorney said that, according to the investigation, on April 19, 2025, the defendants and their motorcycle club were hosting an anniversary party in an event space in the vicinity of Utica Avenue and Foster Avenue, in East Flatbush. At approximately 10:13 p.m., a large group of motorcycles, believed to be primarily members of a rival biker gang, the Hood Ryderz Motorcycle Club, drove past the event space.

Following a brief dispute, it is alleged, defendant Raheem Watson fired 14 rounds towards unknown individuals in the vicinity of Utica Avenue and Avenue D, and then fled the location with other members of the Street Knights M.C. Some of the rounds allegedly fired by Watson damaged an occupied vehicle and caused innocent bystanders in the area to flee.

Immediately following, it is alleged, defendant Ricardo Johnson fired two rounds at a fleeing 35-year-old member of Hood Ryderz M.C. from behind, striking him in the leg. Another defendant, Akeem McDonald, allegedly fired at the 35-year-old victim as he attempted to flee, but instead struck a nearby vehicle, narrowly missing a female passenger seated inside. Defendants Johnson and McDonald were also joined by defendant Saanshuray Bobbitt, who also allegedly fired a gun at the 35-year-old victim.

The 35-year-old victim, unable to stand, attempted to flee and crawl to safety before allegedly exchanging gunfire with defendant Melsone Gasby, the president of Street Knights M.C., who also brandished a pistol.

Finally, it is alleged, a 29-year-old member of Hood Ryderz M.C. tried to flee the area immediately thereafter on his motorcycle when defendant Bobbitt allegedly fired at him at close range, striking him once in the leg. The victim drove several blocks to safety, then called 911. In total 44 rounds were fired and 36 shell casings with four different calibers were recovered.

Defendant McDonald took Johnson to Kings County Hospital where he was treated for a gunshot to the lower right abdomen and released.

The 35-year-old was taken Brookdale Hospital by ambulance and treated for a shattered tibia. He was hospitalized for two weeks and is still unable to walk on his own. The 29-year-old was treated at Kings County Hospital, where he stayed for seven days and suffered permanent nerve damage to his leg.

The District Attorney thanked New York City Police Department Detective Steven Lavin and Lieutenant Martin Costello of the 67th Precinct Detective Squad for their continuous work on this case.

The District Attorney also thanked the NYPD’s 67th Precinct Detective Squad, the Gun Violence Suppression Division, the Brooklyn South Video Team, the Technical Assistance Response Unit, Vehicle Identification Group, Auto Crimes Division, and the NYPD/U.S. Marshals Regional Fugitive Task Force.

The District Attorney thanked Intelligence Analyst Timothy Brown of the KCDA Digital Evidence Lab, under the supervision of Alexandra Aber, Chief Analyst and Assistant District Attorney Jingu Chong, Chief of the Digital Evidence Lab, as well as the Bureau of Litigation Technology, Multimedia Services Unit, and the Detective Investigators Bureau for their assistance in the investigation.

The case is being prosecuted by Assistant District Attorneys Robert Andrea and Adriana Morquecho, of the District Attorney’s Blue Zone Trial Bureau, under the supervision of Assistant District Attorney Doug Marquez, Deputy Bureau Chief and Assistant District Attorney Kin Ng, Bureau Chief.

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

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Wednesday, November 5, 2025

Queens Man Sentenced to 13 Years in Prison for Punching and Pushing
77-Year-Old Stranger onto Tracks at Atlantic Terminal

Transit Worker’s Quick Action Prevented Worse Tragedy

Brooklyn District Attorney Eric Gonzalez today announced that a Queens man has been sentenced to 13 years in prison for violently attacking an elderly man on a commuter train platform at Atlantic Terminal and pushing him onto the tracks. The defendant was convicted of attempted murder.

District Attorney Gonzalez said, “This was a horrific and unprovoked attack on a 77-year-old man at one of our busiest transit hubs, and the victim could have been killed had it not been for the quick action of a transit worker. We’ve made real progress improving safety in our transit system, and we will not allow anyone to jeopardize that. Today’s sentence holds the defendant accountable for this despicable crime and makes clear that violence underground will be met with serious consequences.”

The District Attorney identified the defendant as Matthew Lloyd, 38, of Queens. He was sentenced today by Brooklyn Supreme Court Justice Michael Kitsis to 13 years in prison and five years of post-release supervision. The defendant was convicted of second-degree attempted murder on April 10, 2025, following a jury trial.

The District Attorney said that, according to the evidence, on August 18, 2023, at approximately 4:20 p.m., the victim, a 77-year-old man, was standing on the Long Island Rail Road platform for Track 5 at the Atlantic Terminal when the defendant approached and, without provocation, punched him multiple times in the face. The defendant then pushed the victim off the platform, causing him to fall approximately five feet onto the tracks and strike his head near the electrified third rail. The defendant fled the scene on foot.

Furthermore, according to the evidence, the incident was captured on surveillance video, which was played for the Court during trial. The victim was rescued from the tracks by a Long Island Rail Road mechanical foreman, who heard the victim’s screams and immediately called to stop train traffic on Track 5. Trains are sometimes diverted between tracks and his actions may have prevented the victim from being struck.

The victim suffered significant and ongoing pain for several months after the attack and continues to struggle with mobility. He also suffers from lasting vision and memory impairments caused by the head injury he sustained when he was pushed onto the tracks.

The District Attorney thanked Orange Zone Paralegal Jamal Marshall and Digital Forensic Analyst Christina Stewart of the Digital Evidence Lab for their assistance on the case.

This case was prosecuted by Senior Assistant District Attorney Matthew Barg and Assistant District Attorney Jane Dowling, of the District Attorney’s Orange Zone Trial Bureau, under the supervision of Assistant District Attorney Michael Trabulsi and Assistant District Attorney Iris Das, Deputy Bureau Chiefs, and the overall supervision of Assistant District Attorney Danielle Eaddy, Bureau Chief.

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Tuesday, October 28, 2025

Brooklyn Man Sentenced to 33 Years to Life in Prison for
Gang-Related Shooting Spree That Left Three People Dead

College Student and Young Woman Killed, Several Others Wounded in
Separate Shootings in East New York and Bedford-Stuyvesant

Brooklyn District Attorney Eric Gonzalez today announced that a Fort Greene man affiliated with a violent street gang and who was linked to three different homicides by the time he was 16 years old has been sentenced to 33 years to life in prison for his role in the fatal shootings of three people in separate incidents weeks apart in 2020. Other co-defendants who are also gang members were previously sentenced for their role in the shootings.

District Attorney Gonzalez said, “These defendants turned our streets into shooting galleries and showed shocking disregard for human life. Three innocent people were killed, others wounded, and the defendants tried to intimidate whole neighborhoods. That ends here. Long prison terms like this send a simple message to anyone who thinks gang beefs can be settled with a gun: Brooklyn will not tolerate it, and we will hold you accountable.”

The District Attorney identified the defendant as Iquan Warlick, 21, of Fort Greene, Brooklyn. He was sentenced today by Brooklyn Supreme Court Justice Jane Tully to 33 years to life in prison. The defendant pleaded guilty to three counts of second-degree murder, nine counts of second-degree attempted murder, two counts of second-degree criminal possession of a weapon and one count of second-degree conspiracy on September 11, 2025. His sentence is comprised of two consecutive terms of 17 years to life and a term of 16 years to life in prison, plus another term of 15 years to life to run concurrently.

A co-defendant, Ziquan Thompson, 22, of Fort Greene, Brooklyn, pleaded guilty to one count of first-degree manslaughter and related charges on May 28, 2025. Justice Tully sentenced him to 20 years in prison on July 18, 2025.

Another co-defendant, George Risher Jr., 21, of Fort Greene, Brooklyn, pleaded guilty to one count of first-degree manslaughter, nine counts of second-degree attempted murder and related charges on August 28, 2025. Justice Tully sentenced him to 26 years in prison on September 15, 2025.

Between 2019 and 2021, according to the evidence, the defendants were members of the Fort Greene-based gang known as FNO (Fort N**** Only or Fear No One) and were aligned with two other street gangs — PPP (Pistol Packing Pitkin) and YAWAH (Young and Wild and Hustling) — forming a coalition known as YPF. In January 2022, 17 members of this alliance were variously charged in two indictments on 118 counts, including 14 shootings that left nine people injured and four dead.

The District Attorney said that, according to the evidence, on September 12, 2020, at approximately 5:50 p.m., Thompson and another unidentified individual were in communication with Warlick via text messages while Warlick continued to communicate the whereabouts of gang member Wayne Lafontant, 23. Thompson and this unidentified individual approached Lafontant in the courtyard of 330 Hudson Walk, firing multiple shots, killing him.

Furthermore, according to the evidence, on October 28, 2020, at approximately 6:05 p.m., Warlick and co-defendant Nakhai Addison, a fellow FNO member who was previously sentenced to up to six years in prison, got off the train in East New York and walked to a bodega located at 296 New Lots Avenue to confront a rival gang member. Inside the store was 18-year-old Sherard McKoy, a college freshman who was not affiliated with a gang. The rival stepped outside, saw Warlick and Addison and went inside to warn McKoy. Warlick and Addison then entered the bodega, where Warlick pulled out a gun and chased McKoy out of the bodega, and fired multiple shots, killing him.

Additionally, according to the evidence, in a separate incident on November 22, 2020, defendants Warlick and Risher, along with at least two other unidentified individuals, ambushed a birthday party in East New York held for a 16-year-old in which enemies of YPF would be in attendance. One of the unidentified individuals shot at a group near the venue, striking a rival gang member in the leg. A short time later, Warlick, Risher and two unidentified individuals went to 15 Albany Avenue in Bedford-Stuyvesant, where the party had relocated. Risher and one of the unidentified gunmen went to the third floor and fired multiple shots, striking and injuring five people and killing Daijyonna Long, 20, who was a college student visiting from Virginia. Warlick and another individual remained on the first floor, where they each fired shots towards the group located there, striking and injuring another rival gang member who was in an elevator on the first floor.

The investigation was conducted by New York City Police Department Detectives Daniel Crerend, William Pugliese and Sergeant Andrew Pagano of the Brooklyn North Homicide Squad, in collaboration with Lieutenant Ryan Gillis of the Gun Violence Suppression Division, as well as the 75th, 79th and 88th Precinct Detective Squads.

The District Attorney thanked Paralegals Harline Aimable and Tania Lopez, and Intelligence Analyst, Sindy Pelaez, of the Violent Criminal Enterprises Bureau, for their assistance on the case.

This case was prosecuted by Senior Assistant District Attorneys Alexander Jean, Felix De Jesus, Martha Duffy and Sean Hughes, of the District Attorney’s Violent Criminal Enterprises Bureau, under the supervision of Assistant District Attorney Alfred De Ingeniis, VCE Bureau Chief.

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Thursday, October 16, 2025

Brooklyn Man Sentenced to 25 Years to Life in Prison
For Fatally Shooting Construction Worker, Injuring a Second Worker

Grandmother Killed in Dispute Over Employment at Job Site in Coney Island

Brooklyn District Attorney Eric Gonzalez today announced that a man has been sentenced to 25 years to life in prison for the murder of a construction worker in a broad daylight shooting outside a Coney Island job site. The defendant opened fire on a group of workers, killing a 53-year-old grandmother and wounding another individual.

District Attorney Gonzalez said, “This was a senseless act of violence that took the life of a hardworking woman, devastating her family. Dorothy Dixon was a mother of six and grandmother of many more who was just trying to earn a living when her life was viciously cut short. Gun violence is now at record lows in Brooklyn and my office is committed to further driving down shootings and holding people such as this defendant responsible for their actions.”

The District Attorney identified the defendant as Malik Fryar, 34, of Coney Island, Brooklyn. He was sentenced today by Brooklyn Supreme Court Justice Phyllis Chu to 25 years to life in prison. The defendant was convicted of second-degree murder on September 3, 2025, following a jury trial.

The District Attorney said that, according to the investigation, on February 4, 2019, at approximately 11:40 a.m., the defendant approached a construction site on West 33rd Street in Coney Island where Dorothy Dixon, 53, and other construction laborers were gathered seeking work. The defendant, who was also seeking work, drove his vehicle up to the scene with his wife in the passenger seat, exited the vehicle and began arguing with one of the workers over job opportunities. After the dispute became heated, the defendant returned to his vehicle, retrieved a loaded, illegal firearm and fired multiple shots toward the group, striking Dixon several times. Another worker was struck in the foot by the gunfire as he fled.

Dixon was later pronounced dead at the hospital and the surviving victim was treated for his injuries. The defendant fled on foot to his nearby residence while his wife drove the car to an unknown location. The car was recovered about a month later, abandoned approximately five miles away in Brighton Beach. The defendant was arrested on July 17, 2019, when members of the NYPD Warrants Squad discovered him in an apartment on the Lower East Side of Manhattan
attempting to escape through an air conditioner duct.

The District Attorney thanked Homicide Paralegals John Homnick and Andy Wang, Intelligence Analyst Victoria Genna-Schmidt and Victim Advocate Catherine Cruz for their assistance in the investigation

The case was prosecuted by Senior Assistant District Attorney Christopher Mirabella, of the District Attorney’s Homicide Bureau, and Assistant District Attorney Khrystyna Sahin, of the District Attorney’s Green Zone Trial Bureau, under the supervision of Assistant District Attorney Leila Rosini, Homicide Bureau Chief.

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Thursday, October 9, 2025

Brooklyn Woman Sentenced to 20 Years to Life in Prison
for Fatally Stabbing Her Mother and Her Dog in Starrett City

Victim was Stabbed More than 50 Times, Dog Stabbed and Thrown from Balcony

Brooklyn District Attorney Eric Gonzalez today announced that a Brooklyn woman has been sentenced to 20 years to life in prison for the murder of her mother inside their Starrett City apartment. The defendant fatally stabbed the victim more than 50 times and threw the family dog from their 11th-floor balcony.

District Attorney Gonzalez said, “It is heartbreaking that a mother lost her life so violently at the hands of her only child. This tragedy has shattered a family and deeply affected her loved ones. My office remains steadfast in pursing justice for victims and holding those who commit such acts of domestic violence fully accountable.”

The District Attorney identified the defendant as Drea Eugene, 38, of Starrett City, Brooklyn. She was sentenced today by Brooklyn Supreme Court Justice Danny Chun to 20 years to life in prison. The defendant pleaded guilty to second-degree murder on September 24, 2025.

The District Attorney said that, according to the investigation, on January 19, 2024, at approximately 7 p.m., police responded to 1500 Hornell Loop in Starrett City after receiving multiple reports of a disturbance. Upon arrival, officers discovered the body of Donna Hyman, 58, inside her apartment. She had been stabbed approximately 55 times in her neck, chest, arms, back, and scalp, and was pronounced dead at the scene. Her small dog “Gigi” was found deceased outside the building, having been stabbed approximately 32 times and thrown from the balcony.

The investigation revealed that the defendant, who lived with the victim, fatally stabbed her mother and her dog during a violent outburst. She then threw the dog from the apartment balcony. The defendant was found shortly thereafter outside the building, naked and covered in blood, and was taken into custody.

The defendant was hospitalized for self-inflicted stab wounds and a dog bite. She was charged with her mother’s murder on January 24, 2024.

The case was prosecuted by Senior Assistant District Attorney Sarah Jafari, 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

Wednesday, October 8, 2025

Brooklyn Man Sentenced to Prison for Sex Trafficking of a Child

Fifteen-Year-Old Victim was Approached on Harlem Street, Lured to Brooklyn

Brooklyn District Attorney Eric Gonzalez today announced that an East New York man has been sentenced to eight years in prison following his guilty plea to sex trafficking of a child for the trafficking of a 15-year-old girl. The defendant’s wife pleaded guilty in connection to the case earlier this year.

District Attorney Gonzalez said, “This young victim showed tremendous courage in coming forward after enduring horrific exploitation. The defendant’s actions were cruel, manipulative, and deeply damaging, stealing a child’s sense of safety for his own gain. Today’s sentence delivers justice for her and reaffirms our commitment to protecting vulnerable young people from predators who traffic and abuse them. My office will continue to stand with survivors and hold traffickers fully accountable for the pain they cause.”

The District Attorney identified the defendants as Daryl Hicks, 40, and Michelle Wicks, 33, of East New York, Brooklyn. Hicks was sentenced today by Brooklyn Supreme Court Justice Danny Chun to eight years in prison and five years of post-release supervision. He must register as a sex offender upon his release from prison. He pleaded guilty to the top count of sex trafficking of a child on August 6, 2025. Wicks pleaded guilty to second-degree promoting prostitution and fourth-degree promoting prostitution on April 11, 2025. As a condition of her plea, she will be able to withdraw her felony plea upon completion of the Women’s Prison Association Program.

The District Attorney said that, according to the investigation, between November 20, 2022 and December 30, 2022, the defendants met the 15-year-old victim and induced her to engage in acts of prostitution. The victim was approached by Hicks in Harlem and told by him “you could be working for me” and “I could put money in your pocket.”

The defendants actively posted the victim’s photo on escort websites and arranged “dates” for her at various locations in Brooklyn. They instructed her on what sexual services to offer, how much to charge, and how to communicate with customers.

Hicks engaged in sexual intercourse with the victim on Christmas Day in 2022, according to the investigation. Photos and videos of the victim, including videos of sexual acts with Hicks, were discovered on the defendant’s cell phone.

On December 30, 2022, detectives from the Human Trafficking Squad went to the Imperial Hotel in East New York and recovered the victim inside a room registered to Hicks. She had been reported missing days earlier after reaching out to her foster mother and sending her photos.

The case was investigated by Detective Paul Mastronardi of the New York City Police Department’s Human Trafficking Squad, under the supervision of Sergeant Kevin Kavanagh and Lieutenant Amy Capogna, and the overall supervision of Chief Carlos Ortiz.

The District Attorney thanked Human Trafficking Unit Office Manager Aurora Martinez and Senior Digital Forensic Analyst Taylor Mumley of the Digital Evidence Lab for their assistance on the investigation.

The case was prosecuted by Senior 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, October 7, 2025

Brooklyn Woman Indicted for Stealing Over $130,000 in
Social Security Benefits Intended for Deceased Mother

Defendant Allegedly Filed False Reports to Conceal
Mother’s Death, Collected Benefits for 13 Years

Brooklyn District Attorney Eric Gonzalez today announced that a Brooklyn woman has been arraigned on an indictment in which she is charged with grand larceny and filing false documents for allegedly collecting her deceased mother’s Social Security benefits for more than a decade, totaling over $130,000.

District Attorney Gonzalez said, “This defendant allegedly took advantage of her mother’s death to steal from a program that provides earned benefits to retirees and their families, ultimately defrauding taxpayers for over a decade. My office remains committed to protecting public funds, rooting out scams and ensuring that those who exploit social safety net programs face justice.”

The District Attorney identified the defendant as Katrina McCloud, 52, of Crown Heights, Brooklyn. She was arraigned today before Brooklyn Supreme Court Justice Michael Kitsis on an indictment in which she is charged with second-degree grand larceny and first-degree offering a false instrument for filing. She was released without bail and ordered to return to court on November 19, 2025.

The District Attorney said that, according to the investigation, the defendant served as her mother’s Representative Payee for Social Security benefits prior to her mother’s death. After her mother died, the defendant allegedly failed to notify the Social Security Administration and continued to collect monthly payments of approximately $1,000 between 2012 and 2024, totaling $132,528.

The investigation further revealed that the defendant allegedly filed false Representative Payee Reports — annual documents required by the Social Security Administration to verify how benefit funds are being used for a recipient’s care — indicating that her mother was still alive and that the payments were being used for her benefit, deceiving the Social Security Administration into continuing payments for more than a decade.

The District Attorney thanked Special Agent Mark Balsam of the Social Security Administration’s Office of the Inspector General, Special Agent Joseph LoBiondo of Homeland Security Investigations, Postal Inspector Aileen Santiago of the United States Postal Inspection Service and Detective Michael McCaffrey of the New York City Police Department for their work and partnership on the investigation.

The case is being prosecuted by Assistant District Attorney Karen Turner, of the District Attorney’s Frauds Bureau, under the supervision of Assistant District Attorney Gavin Miles, Chief of Intake & Case Assessment for the District Attorney’s Frauds Bureau, and the overall supervision of Assistant District Attorney Michel Spanakos, Deputy Chief of the Investigations Division and Assistant District Attorney Patricia McNeil, Chief of Investigations.

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

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Friday, October 3, 2025

Brooklyn Man Sentenced to 12 Years in Prison for Stabbing
Two Men in Homeless Shelter and Another in Subway

The Victims Were Asleep When the Defendant Attacked Them,
Suffered Serious and Life-Threatening Injuries

Brooklyn District Attorney Eric Gonzalez today announced that a Brooklyn man has been sentenced to 12 years in prison following his guilty plea to attempted murder in connection to a series of unprovoked stabbings that left three innocent men seriously injured.

District Attorney Gonzalez said, “The cruelty and depravity of these attacks cannot be overstated. Three men were stabbed as they slept, utterly defenseless, and it is truly a miracle that they all survived. This kind of random brutality shocks the conscience, and with today’s sentence, this violent defendant is being held accountable and removed from our streets. My office remains steadfast in our commitment to protect all Brooklyn residents from senseless violence, and I commend the NYPD and our prosecutors for their outstanding work in this case.”

The District Attorney identified the defendant as Abraham Kentish, 28, formerly of the SUS Shelter in East New York, Brooklyn. He was sentenced today by Brooklyn Supreme Court Justice Adam Perlmutter to 12 years in prison. The defendant pleaded guilty on July 29, 2025, to three counts of second-degree attempted murder.

The District Attorney said that, according to the evidence, on November 12, 2023, at approximately 1:30 a.m., at the SUS Shelter, a homeless shelter located at 1000 Blake Avenue in East New York, Brooklyn, the defendant went into the room of a 70-year-old client who was sleeping and stabbed him 15 times in the torso and about the body. He then stabbed a 38-year-old man who was sleeping in the same room twice in the face and once in the elbow. The defendant then left the shelter and a security guard, who was told about the stabbings, called 911.

A short time later, between 1:55 a.m. and 2:55 a.m., the defendant entered the New Lots Avenue subway station, boarded a 4 line subway car, and walked up to a 32-year-old man who was sleeping and stabbed him once in the neck.

The defendant was arrested later that morning by two New York City Police Officers who saw that he matched the description of an individual being sought for the attacks.

The case was prosecuted by Assistant District Attorney Ainissa Proctor, 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

Tuesday, September 30, 2025

Long Island Man Indicted for Defrauding State Grant Program

Defendant Allegedly Pocketed More Than $61,000 by Duping
Hardworking Brooklyn Residents in Pandemic Relief Fraud

Brooklyn District Attorney Eric Gonzalez, together with the New York State Inspector General Lucy Lang, announced today that a Long Island man has been arraigned on a 25-count indictment for allegedly stealing public funds from New York’s Empire State Development agency (ESD) by submitting falsified tax returns and other documents to obtain state grant funds.

An ESD grant is financial assistance offered through Empire State Development, New York’s statewide economic development agency. Created during the COVID-19 pandemic to mirror federal relief programs, these grants were intended to help small businesses cover expenses, weather the shutdown and keep workers employed. To qualify, businesses had to have revenues under $2.5 million, be in operation since at least March 2019 and show either regular expenses like payroll and utilities or proof of lost income using their 2019 and 2020 tax returns.

District Attorney Gonzalez said, “This defendant allegedly exploited hardworking Brooklyn residents, including drivers and home health aides, by misusing their personal information to inflate applications for pandemic relief. By stealing funds meant to help people and small businesses recover, he betrayed the victims who trusted him and undermined a program designed to support our city and state in a time of crisis.”

Inspector General Lang said, “This scheme was a calculated abuse of a critical lifeline created to support New Yorkers during a time of crisis. By allegedly submitting false documents and misusing the personal information of others, the defendant took advantage of public trust and targeted vulnerable workers — including health aides and Uber and Lyft drivers who were essential to keeping our city running during the pandemic. My office remains committed to working with our law enforcement partners to safeguard public resources and ensure that those who seek to exploit emergency aid for personal gain are held fully accountable.”

The District Attorney identified the defendant as Lasha Bukia, 34, of Riverhead, New York. He was arraigned today before Brooklyn Supreme Court Justice Danny Chun on a 25-count indictment in which he is charged with one count of second-degree larceny, 14 counts of first-degree offering a false instrument for filing, nine counts of first-degree falsifying business records and one count of first-degree scheme to defraud. He was ordered released without bail and to return to court on December 3, 2025.

The District Attorney said that, according to the investigation, between November 2021 and October 2022, the defendant allegedly applied for and obtained ESD grants on behalf of nine individuals, including Lyft and Uber drivers and home health aides, who lived in Brooklyn.

Those individuals ultimately received $369,000 in ESD funds. In exchange for preparing and submitting the applications, Bukia allegedly received approximately $61,000 from the nine grant recipients.

To receive an ESD grant, Bukia allegedly directed the grant recipients to provide him with their driver’s licenses, 2019 and 2020 tax returns and a utility bill. He then altered the returns to inflate their income and make it appear the applicants were entitled to larger grants than for which they were qualified. Without the recipients’ knowledge or consent, these falsified documents were submitted to ESD and used to secure the relief funds.

The case is being 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, 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.