About Edwin Pineda

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Monday, September 14, 2026

Brooklyn Man Sentenced to 12 Years in Prison for
Sexually Assaulting Woman He Followed from Bar

Off-Duty Maryland Police Officer Intervened to Stop Attack

Brooklyn District Attorney Eric Gonzalez today announced that a Canarsie man has been sentenced to 12 years in prison and 12 years of post-release supervision for following a woman from a Kensington bar, carrying her into an alley and sexually assaulting her before an off-duty police officer intervened.

District Attorney Gonzalez said, “Today’s sentence holds the defendant accountable for his horrific crime, demonstrates our commitment to the protection of vulnerable victims in Brooklyn, and ensures a measure of justice for the innocent woman who was so violently assaulted.”

The District Attorney identified the defendant as Janeal Figueroa, 26, of Canarsie, Brooklyn. He was sentenced today by Brooklyn Supreme Court Justice Jay Weiner to 12 years in prison and 12 years of post-release supervision. The defendant was convicted of first-degree criminal sexual act and third-degree sexual abuse on May 20, 2026, following a jury trial.

The District Attorney said that, according to the evidence, on April 7, 2023, the 35-year-old woman went for drinks with friends before going to a bar located on Beverley Road in Kensington, Brooklyn, where she continued to drink by herself. The defendant observed and followed the victim when she left the bar alone at approximately 10:30 p.m.

As the victim walked home, the defendant put his arm around her and carried her into an alley near the corner of East 2nd Street and Church Avenue in Kensington as she screamed “no, no, no,” according to video surveillance. Once inside the alley, as the victim could be heard screaming, the defendant violently physically assaulted her, held her on the ground and subjected her to oral sexual conduct. When the victim attempted to crawl away, the defendant grabbed her by the ankles and pulled her back as she screamed for help.

An eyewitness flagged down an off-duty police officer visiting from Montgomery County, Maryland, who intervened and ordered the defendant out of the alley. As the defendant attempted to flee, he bragged to the off-duty officer and another witness about what he had just done to the victim. Members of the New York City Police Department arrested him nearby a short time later, and the off-duty officer identified him as the attacker.

The District Attorney thanked Paralegal Supervisor Jennifer Hernandez for her work on this case.

The case was prosecuted by Assistant District Attorneys Stephen Van Doran and Jourdan Thompson, of the District Attorney’s Special Victims Bureau, under the supervision of Assistant District Attorney Miss Gregory, Bureau Chief.

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Thursday, September 10, 2026

Brooklyn Man Sentenced to Life in Prison for Shooting Death
Of Business Acquaintance During High-End Sneaker Transaction

Stole the 10 Sneakers, valued at $25,000, Torched Remains, Misled
Detectives and Victim’s Relatives as They Searched for Him

Brooklyn District Attorney Eric Gonzalez today announced that a Crown Heights man has been sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole for fatally shooting a Georgia man who came to New York to sell the defendant high-end sneakers valued at thousands of dollars. The defendant stole the sneakers and then made elaborate efforts to cover up the crime by torching the remains and misleading investigators.

District Attorney Gonzalez said, “Today’s sentence holds this defendant accountable for taking the life of Douglas Young, an innocent man who was senselessly and deliberately killed by someone he knew and trusted. The defendant then took elaborate steps to cover up his heinous crime. Young’s family, friends, and community are heartbroken by his loss, and my thoughts are with them today.”

The District Attorney identified the defendant as Hakeem Smith, 31, of Crown Heights, Brooklyn. He was sentenced today by Brooklyn Supreme Court Justice John Hecht to life in prison without the possibility of parole. The defendant was convicted of first-degree murder and third-degree arson on August 25, 2026, following a jury trial.

The District Attorney said that, according to the evidence, on February 6, 2020, the victim, Douglas Young, flew from Georgia to New York to complete a high-end sneaker transaction with the defendant, who he knew and with whom he had done similar business in the past.

The pair were supposed to meet near the Barclays Center, but the defendant changed the meeting place to a remote location in Red Hook, in the vicinity of 621 Court Street. The victim drove his rental car to the location, met the defendant and showed him the sneakers. The defendant then shot Douglas, who was sitting in the front passenger seat, three times in the head, killing him, according to the evidence.

The defendant took the 10 pairs of sneakers that he was supposed to purchase, which had a resale value of $25,000, and left the vicinity. Among the sneakers stolen from the victim
were Nike Air Yeezy 2 Solar Red, Nike Air Force 1 Low Off-White MCA University Blue, Nike Air Force 1 Low VLONE, Nike Dunk SB Low What the Dunk, Jordan 1 Retro High Travis Scott, Jordan 1 Retro Fragment Friends, Family, Jordan 1 Retro High Off-White Euro and Jordan 1 Retro High Off-White Chicago.

On February 8, 2020, the defendant returned to the scene where the deceased victim remained in the vehicle, according to the evidence, and set the car on fire.

The evidence also showed that the day after the murder, while the victim’s family was trying to locate him, the defendant offered to help them by filing a missing person report. He told Young’s relatives and detectives investigating his disappearance that they met near Barclays Center, that the transaction didn’t take place and that he watched the victim drive away to meet someone else.

The defendant was arrested on September 11, 2020, following an extensive investigation.

The District Attorney thanked KCDA Detective Investigators, the Digital Evidence Lab, and Homicide Paralegals Sarah-Jane Quashie and Angelika Rostkowska for their assistance on the case.

The case was prosecuted by Senior Assistant District Attorney Steven Bravo, of the District Attorney’s Homicide Bureau, and Assistant District Attorney Kaitlin Kinsella, of the District Attorney’s Blue Zone Trial Bureau, under the supervision of Assistant District Attorney Leila Rosini, Homicide Bureau Chief.

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Tuesday, September 8, 2026

Brooklyn Man Indicted for Alleged Sex Trafficking of Teenager 

Digital Investigation Uncovered Online Ads Promoting Prostitution of 16-Year-Old Girl

Brooklyn District Attorney Eric Gonzalez today announced that two defendants have been indicted for their roles in the alleged trafficking of a 16-year-old girl for prostitution after investigators uncovered online advertisements featuring the teenager and digital communications allegedly showing that she was being promoted for commercial sex.

District Attorney Gonzalez said, “Protecting vulnerable children from exploitation is among our most important responsibilities. As trafficking increasingly moves online, digital and video evidence can be critical to identifying exploitation and building strong cases. We will continue using every available tool to protect victims, hold traffickers accountable and keep our communities safe.”

The District Attorney identified the defendants as Carlton Foster, 38, of Brooklyn, and Jaeandrea Herriot, 19, also known as Jae Herriot, also of Brooklyn. They are charged in a seven-count indictment with second-, third- and fourth-degree promoting prostitution and endangering the welfare of a child. Foster is also charged with sex trafficking of a child. Herriot was arraigned today before Brooklyn Supreme Court Justice Danny Chun, who set bail at $5,000 cash or $25,000 bond. Foster was arraigned on August 12, 2026, by Justice Chun. Foster was ordered held on bail of $200,000 cash or $1 million bond. Both defendants were ordered to return to court on October 14, 2026.

The District Attorney said that, according to the investigation, on March 10, 2026, law enforcement received a referral regarding a 16-year-old girl who had run away from her group home and was suspected of being a victim of sex trafficking.

Detectives from the New York City Police Department’s Human Trafficking Squad opened a joint investigation with the Brooklyn District Attorney’s Human Trafficking Unit, when investigators allegedly located online advertisements featuring the teenager on websites used to advertise prostitution and trafficking.

Furthermore, according to the investigation, on April 3, 2026, the teenager encountered police in Brooklyn in connection with an unrelated matter. Detectives obtained her cellphone and conducted a forensic examination that allegedly uncovered extensive prostitution-related communications involving Foster and Herriot.

The District Attorney said that on May 7, 2026, The National Center for Missing & Exploited Children notified the FBI that live online advertisements of the teen were discovered in Newark, New Jersey. That night, FBI agents arranged a meeting and recovered her from a hotel room in New Jersey.

The case was investigated by New York City Police Department Detective Kevin Deleon (now retired), along with Detective Daniel Bergamini, of the New York City Police Department Human Trafficking Squad, under the supervision of Sergeant Kevin Kavanagh, and the overall supervision of Inspector Gary Marcus.

The District Attorney thanked the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children, Police Officers Felix Figueroa and Anthony Gallucci of the Newark, N.J., Police Department, Special Agent Brian Salamone from the FBI Newark Field Office and the US Attorney’s Office for the District of New Jersey for their assistance in the investigation.

Additionally, the District Attorney thanked Human Trafficking Unit Office Manager Aurora Martinez and Paralegal Aaliyah Antrobus, and Digital Evidence Lab Digital Forensic Analyst Titan Cox for their work on the case.

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

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

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Tuesday, September 8, 2026

Two Individuals and Company Indicted for Making and Selling
Fake OSHA and Buildings Department Site Safety Cards

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

Brooklyn District Attorney Eric Gonzalez, together with New York City Department of Investigation Commissioner Nadia I. Shihata and New York City Department of Buildings Commissioner Ahmed Tigani, today announced that the owner and an associate of a company with locations in Brooklyn and Queens that was authorized to provide jobsite safety training and certification have been arraigned on an indictment charging them with making and selling fake safety cards to construction workers who never received the required training.

District Attorney Gonzalez said, “Proper safety training is a foundational safeguard for everyone on a construction site. When individuals or companies cut corners and issue certifications without the required instruction, they undermine the integrity of our safety systems and endanger workers and the public. This case reflects our continued commitment to ensuring that training standards are followed and that fraudulent practices are identified and addressed promptly. I am grateful to our prosecutors and our partners at DOI and DOB for their excellent work on this important case.”

Commissioner Shihata said, “City and state workplace safety standards exist to protect workers. Put simply, shortcutting required training and coursework puts lives at risk. As charged, these defendants allegedly sold fraudulent safety cards to construction workers who never completed the required training. I thank the Brooklyn District Attorney’s Office and the Department of Buildings for their continued commitment to holding accountable those who undermine workplace safety in our City.”

Commissioner Tigani said, “Since Site Safety Training card requirements were implemented in New York City, data has shown consistent improvements in safety. Simply put, fraudulent cards risk undermining those gains and putting lives in danger. Fraud will not be tolerated. Allowing untrained workers onto a job site puts them at risk and can put their coworkers in danger as well. The invalidation of SST cards issued by Redcode was done because we cannot, in good conscience, allow untrained workers on job sites. I want to thank our partners in the Brooklyn District Attorney’s Office, Department of Investigation, and all of the dedicated members of DOB who helped uncover and stop this fraudulent activity.”

The District Attorney identified the defendants as Lutfur Rahman, 34, of Jamaica, Queens, Mohammed Tushar, 34, of Howard Beach, Queens, and Redcode Inc., with locations at 529 McDonald Avenue in Brooklyn and 146-04 Hillside Avenue in Queens. The defendants were arraigned today before Brooklyn Supreme Court Justice Danny Chun on an indictment in which they are charged with three counts of first-degree offering a false instrument for filing, three counts of second-degree receiving reward for official misconduct, and six counts of second-degree falsifying business records. They were released without bail and ordered to return to court on November 4, 2026.

The District Attorney said that, according to the investigation, between April 22, 2025 and July 16, 2025, undercover investigators from the Department of Investigation (DOI) posed as construction workers and went to Redcode’s locations in Brooklyn and Queens. They allegedly met with Rahman, the owner of the company, and Tushar, an associate, who agreed to provide the undercovers with site safety training (SST) cards and OSHA cards for $500 each without the undercovers completing the required training.

The undercovers were allegedly asked to sign attendance sheets, making it seem as though they had attended training sessions. Redcode then allegedly sent information regarding the training to the DOB and to an OSHA designated training intermediary falsely indicating that the “students” completed the training. As a result, OSHA’s intermediary issued the “students” OSHA cards and DOB issued SST cards.

The DOB requires construction workers to undergo training in worksite safety before being allowed to work on most construction jobsites in New York City. OSHA, a subdivision of the United States Department of Labor, sets standards for workplace safety throughout the United States, including a 30-hour course in accident prevention. DOB requires this coursework plus an additional 10 hours of Site Safety Training (SST).

By issuing OSHA cards and SST cards to students who did not complete the coursework, it is alleged, the defendants allowed for workers who were not properly trained in the required safety protocols to work on construction sites posing a danger to themselves, other workers and members of the public.

The case was investigated by investigators from DOI’s Office of the Inspector General for the New York City School Construction Authority, under the supervision of First Deputy Inspector General Gerard McEnroe, Inspector General William E. Schaeffer, Deputy Commissioner of Strategic Initiatives Christopher Ryan, and Deputy Commissioner/Chief of Investigations Michael Mullahy.

The case is being prosecuted by Senior Assistant District Attorney Joseph DiBenedetto and Assistant District Attorney Jack Mulderrig, of the District Attorney’s Frauds Bureau, under the supervision of Assistant District Attorney Adam Libove, Chief of the District Attorney’s Public Integrity Bureau, and the overall supervision of Assistant District Attorney Michel Spanakos, Deputy Chief of the Investigations Division, and Assistant District Attorney Patricia McNeill, Chief of Investigations.

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

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Wednesday, September 2, 2026

Brooklyn Man Sentenced to 13 Years in Prison for Robbery Spree

Defendant Committed Three Gunpoint Robberies in Four Days

Brooklyn District Attorney Eric Gonzalez today announced that a Brooklyn man has been sentenced to 13 years in prison for a string of three gunpoint robberies in four days, all in the NYPD’s 88th precinct.

District Attorney Gonzalez said, “This defendant committed brazen gunpoint robberies three times over a span of just a few days, terrifying a community. With today’s sentence he is being held accountable and facing the consequences of his criminal actions. With homicides and shootings at a record low in Brooklyn, we will continue to focus our resources on the drivers of crime to continue our progress improving neighborhood safety.”

The District Attorney identified the defendant as Jaquan Smith-Mack, 34, of Downtown Brooklyn. He was sentenced today by Brooklyn Supreme Court Justice Michael Kitsis to 13 years in prison and five years’ post-release supervision. The defendant pleaded guilty to first-degree robbery on June 12, 2026.

The District Attorney said that, according to the investigation, on September 27, 2024, the defendant approached the first victim at gunpoint near the intersection of Navy Street and Park Avenue in Downtown Brooklyn. The defendant told the victim, “Run your pockets” and lifted his sweatshirt to reveal a gun in his waistband. The victim gave the defendant his AirPods and his wallet, which contained his credit cards and cash. The defendant also demanded the victim’s glasses from his face, and the victim complied. Shortly thereafter, the defendant attempted to use the victim’s credit card at a liquor store.

Two days later, on September 29, 2024, the defendant pointed a gun at the stomach of a second victim, an Uber Eats delivery driver, at an apartment building on Monument Walk in Fort Greene and demanded the keys to the victim’s moped, stating “If you don’t give me the key, I will shoot you.” The victim complied. The defendant left but came back soon after and demanded the victim’s phone. The victim refused to comply, so the defendant pushed the victim, causing him to fall, and took his phone before fleeing on the victim’s moped.

The following day, on September 30, 2024, the defendant robbed the third victim at a bus stop on DeKalb Avenue in Clinton Hill. The defendant got off a moped, showed the victim a gun, and stated, “Don’t move, if you listen to me, I won’t hurt you.” The victim gave the defendant approximately $15.

A few hours later, the defendant was spotted driving a moped without a helmet or license plate and going through red lights in Bedford-Stuyvesant. After NYPD officers attempted to conduct a traffic stop, the defendant drove on the sidewalk, subsequently fell off the moped and took off running. The defendant tripped, fell, and threw a loaded firearm. The firearm was recovered next to the defendant underneath a vehicle.

The moped the defendant had been driving was later identified by the second victim as the moped that had been stolen from him on September 29, 2024.

The District Attorney thanked Digital Forensic Analyst Hector Feliz, of the District Attorney’s Digital Evidence Lab, for his work on the case.

The case was prosecuted by Assistant District Attorney Kellen Michuda, of the District Attorney’s Blue Zone Trial Bureau, under the supervision of Assistant District Attorney Kin Ng, Chief of the Blue Zone.

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Thursday, August 13, 2026

Defendant Sentenced to 19 Years to Life in Prison for
Murder of Girlfriend in Bedford-Stuyvesant Apartment

Cause of Death Cited as Ligature Strangulation

Brooklyn District Attorney Eric Gonzalez today announced that a Brooklyn man has been sentenced to 19 years to life in prison for the strangulation death of his girlfriend in their Bedford-Stuyvesant apartment. The victim was discovered after a relative asked police to conduct a wellness check at the location.

District Attorney Gonzalez said, “Kelly Kwak should have been able to feel safe and secure in the home she shared with her boyfriend. Instead, the defendant brutally strangled her to death, ending her life at just 28 years old and devastating everyone who loved her. This sentence holds the defendant accountable for this horrific crime, and my thoughts remain with Kelly’s family and friends, who continue to live with the devastating loss of a young woman taken from them far too soon.”

The District Attorney identified the defendant as Michael Hosein, 36, of Bedford-Stuyvesant, Brooklyn. He was sentenced today by Brooklyn Supreme Court Justice Abena Darkeh to 19 years to life in prison. The defendant pleaded guilty to second-degree murder on July 30, 2026.

The District Attorney said that, according to the evidence, at approximately 10 a.m., on March 10, 2023, a police officer responding to a request for a wellness check at 218 Gates Avenue in Bedford-Stuyvesant entered apartment 1A and saw the defendant alone in the apartment with the lifeless body of Kelly Kwak, 28.

Video surveillance footage of the area recovered by the police showed the defendant and the victim entering the apartment together on March 6, 2023, at approximately 12:45 a.m. Furthermore, video surveillance does not depict any one else entering or exiting the apartment between 12:45 a.m. on March 6, 2023 and the time the police officer discovered the deceased victim.

The Office of the New York City Medical Examiner determined the victim’s cause of death to be ligature strangulation.

Following an investigation, the defendant was arrested on March 15, 2023 in Brooklyn.

The case was prosecuted by Senior Assistant District Attorney Farin Chasin-Fodeman, of the District Attorney’s Domestic Violence Bureau, under the supervision of Assistant District Attorney Kori Medow, Domestic Violence Bureau Chief.

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Wednesday, August 12, 2026

Brooklyn Man Sentenced to 26 Years to Life in Prison for
Murder and Dismemberment of Girlfriend

Defendant Lived with Victim’s Remains for Weeks,
Used Her Money to Pay Women Engaged in Prostitution

Brooklyn District Attorney Eric Gonzalez today announced that a Brooklyn man has been sentenced to 26 years to life in prison for murdering and dismembering his girlfriend. The defendant then stayed in her East New York apartment for weeks and used her money while her remains decomposed.

District Attorney Gonzalez said, “D’Asia Johnson suffered horrific violence at the hands of this defendant, who then compounded that cruelty with conduct that showed a staggering disregard for her life, her dignity and the loved ones desperately searching for her. He has now been held accountable for that horrific brutality, and I hope D’Asia’s family can find some measure of solace and justice in today’s sentence.”

The District Attorney identified the defendant as Justin Williams, 27, of Manhattan. He was sentenced today by Brooklyn Supreme Court Justice Danny Chun to 26 years to life in prison. He was convicted of second-degree murder, concealment of a human corpse, fourth-degree grand larceny, fourth-degree criminal possession of stolen property, second-degree criminal impersonation and fifth-degree welfare fraud on June 16, 2026, following a jury trial.

The District Attorney said that, according to the evidence, the defendant and the victim, D’Asia Johnson, 22, had been in a romantic relationship for several years. During that time, the defendant repeatedly abused her and at the time of her murder, Johnson was the protected party under an order of protection requiring Williams to stay away from her.

On August 21, 2022, Johnson entered her apartment on Linwood Avenue in East New York and never exited the apartment again. In the early morning hours of August 22, 2022, the defendant stabbed the victim numerous times — five times to the front of her torso and four times to the back, striking her heart and lung.

Furthermore, according to the evidence, Williams then dismembered Johnson’s body, placed her remains in garbage bags and kept them inside the apartment bathroom for nearly a month while her family and friends frantically searched for her. During that time, Williams continued living in the apartment and exploited Johnson financially, impersonating her to call out from her job so her paychecks would continue. The defendant used money from the victim’s bank account to pay women engaged in prostitution whom he brought into the apartment while Johnson’s remains decomposed nearby. The defendant also used Johnson’s public benefits to buy food for himself and brought his adolescent son into the apartment during this time.

When members of Johnson’s family came looking for her, the defendant pretended to be Johnson to conceal the fact that she was dead, the evidence showed. Johnson’s remains were ultimately discovered after building personnel, concerned because they had not seen her for some time, conducted a wellness check and contacted police.

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

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Wednesday, July 29, 2026

Brooklyn Man Sentenced to Life in Prison for Fatally
Stabbing Former Roommate in Brighton Beach

Defendant Ignored Order of Protection and Attacked
Victim in His Home in Early-Morning Ambush

Brooklyn District Attorney Eric Gonzalez today announced that a Brooklyn man has been sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole for fatally stabbing his former roommate inside the Brighton Beach apartment they once shared. The defendant broke into the victim’s home in the early morning hours, violating a court order, and ambushed the victim.

District Attorney Gonzalez said, “This was a brutal and premeditated attack carried out in the supposed safety of the victim’s home. The defendant ignored a court order, returned to the apartment they once shared and viciously took a life in a horrific act of violence. Today’s sentence holds him accountable for that harm.”

The District Attorney identified the defendant as Pavel Orgaev, 62, of Brighton Beach, Brooklyn. He was sentenced today by Brooklyn Supreme Court Justice Eugene Guarino to life in prison without the possibility of parole. The defendant was convicted of first-degree murder, first-degree burglary and first-degree criminal contempt on December 6, 2024, following a jury trial.

The District Attorney said that, according to the evidence, in May 2020 the defendant and victim, Dimitri Buvenov, 45, were living together in a basement apartment in Brighton Beach. After an alleged physical altercation between the two left the victim with broken ribs, the defendant was arrested, and an order of protection was issued requiring him to stay away from the victim. Days later, on May 11, 2020, at approximately 3:30 a.m., the defendant walked from his nearby residence to the victim’s apartment, which they had previously shared. In violation of the court order, the defendant unlawfully entered the home and fatally stabbed the victim numerous times.

The victim was discovered inside the apartment and pronounced dead at the scene.

The District Attorney thanked the KCDA Detective Investigators, the Digital Evidence Lab, and Homicide Paralegal Sarah-Jane Quashie for their assistance on the case

The case was prosecuted by Senior Assistant District Attorney Steven Bravo, of the District Attorney’s Homicide Bureau, and Assistant District Attorney Chow Xie, Deputy Bureau Chief, under the supervision of Assistant District Attorney Leila Rosini, Homicide Bureau Chief.

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Monday, July 20, 2026

Brooklyn DA Eric Gonzalez, Together With the NYPD, Attorney General James and State Comptroller DiNapoli Collected 191 Guns in Buyback Event

Participants received up to $500 per Firearm; Hosted in a Clinton Hill Church

Brooklyn District Attorney Eric Gonzalez, together with New York City Police Commissioner Jessica S. Tisch, Attorney General Letitia James and State Comptroller Thomas P. DiNapoli, today announced that a total of 191 firearms were turned in during a Gun Buyback event that was held at Emmanuel Baptist Church on Saturday. The impressive haul included 158 revolvers and semi-automatic pistols as well as nine assault rifles.

District Attorney Gonzalez said, “I sleep better at night after events like this, knowing that close to 200 weapons are no longer in homes and potentially on our streets. Every gun we collected is one fewer weapon that now cannot be used to commit crimes, in suicides or picked up by a child. I thank Emmanuel Baptist Church, all our partners and every New Yorker who came out despite torrential rains to make our city safer. As Brooklyn continues to experience a historically safe year and summer in terms of gun violence, we are committed to keep reducing the proliferation of guns, engage our communities and further improve public safety.”

Commissioner Tisch said, “Every gun recovered is a potential tragedy avoided and life saved. Thanks to the NYPD’s precision policing strategy, and the men and women in uniform who do this dangerous work, we have removed over 2,700 guns from our streets so far this year and driven down gun violence and murders to record lows. We will continue to invest in these important programs with our law enforcement partners to make our communities safer.”

Attorney General James said, “Every gun removed from our communities is a potential life saved and crisis averted. This gun buyback event resulted in the removal of 191 unwanted guns from our streets, marking a critical step in our fight to protect our communities from gun violence. I thank my friends District Attorney Gonzalez, NYPD Commissioner Tisch, and Comptroller DiNapoli for their commitment to protecting New Yorkers from the scourge of gun violence.”

State Comptroller DiNapoli said, “Gun violence costs our communities and New Yorkers. Getting guns out of homes and off our streets is a critical part of prevention and saving lives. Thanks to District Attorney Gonzalez, Attorney General James and the NYPD we bought back and destroyed 191 guns. A win for Brooklyn and New York.”

Dr. Shareka N. Newton, Senior Pastor-Elect of Emmanuel Baptist Church, said, “I am from Brooklyn, and I know firsthand the difference a safe, caring community can make in the life of a young person. I was able to grow, dream, and become who I am because people in this community helped protect and nurture me. Hosting this Gun Buyback was one small but meaningful way Emmanuel Baptist Church can help provide that same opportunity for another child and another family.”

Participants at the event received $500 for each operable gun or assault rifle turned in (maximum three per person), $200 for ghost guns or 3D printed guns (maximum of two per person), $75 for each rifle or shotgun and $25 for each air gun, imitation pistol or a non-operable firearm. The first 60 people also received a $100 retail store gift card.

The Brooklyn District Attorney’s Office and the NYPD host gun buybacks in different neighborhoods a couple of times each year. Over the past four years, over 1,000 firearms have been collected at the events. Saturday had the second highest number of turned-in weapons over that period.

The event was held as Brooklyn is experiencing its safest year in modern history, building on record-lows set in 2025, when homicides, shooting incidents and shooting victims fell to their lowest levels since recordkeeping began. So far in 2026, those categories are down an additional 33%, 18% and 10%, respectively.

The District Attorney thanked Emmanuel Baptist Church, Police Commissioner Tisch, Attorney General James and State Comptroller DiNapoli for their partnership.

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Friday, July 17, 2026

Manhattan Man Sentenced for Hit-and-Run that Killed Off-Duty Cop

Driver Hit Victim’s Motorcycle with Truck on Brooklyn-Queens Expressway,
Left Scene of Incident

Brooklyn District Attorney Eric Gonzalez today announced that a Manhattan man has been sentenced to up to four years in prison in connection with leaving the scene of an incident after striking an off-duty police officer who was riding a motorcycle on the Brooklyn-Queens Expressway.

District Attorney Gonzalez said, “The defendant’s actions demonstrate a callous disregard for those around him. Despite knowing he caused a serious traffic incident, the defendant left the scene. While nothing can replace Officer Pena or fully heal the grief and loss of his family and friends, I hope this prison sentence provides some sense of closure. My Office will continue working tirelessly to ensure that Brooklyn’s streets are safe for motorists, bicyclists and pedestrians.”

The District Attorney identified the defendant as Carlos Almanzar Toribio, 31, of Manhattan. He was sentenced today before Brooklyn Supreme Court Justice Christopher Robles to an indeterminate term of one-and-one-third to four years in prison. The defendant pleaded guilty to one count of leaving the scene of an incident in which serious injury or death results on April 21, 2026.

The District Attorney said that, according to the evidence, on August 27, 2025, at approximately 8:45 a.m., on the Brooklyn-Queens Expressway near Atlantic Avenue, Brooklyn, the victim, an off-duty NYPD officer, was driving his personal motorcycle westbound on the highway when he and his motorcycle were struck by and forced under a box truck driven by the defendant. The victim was ejected onto the roadway, while the defendant continued to operate the truck, dragging the victim’s motorcycle for nearly 600 feet before the defendant stopped his vehicle.

The defendant then attempted to remove the victim’s motorcycle from underneath the truck by hand before re-entering the truck, driving over the motorcycle and continuing westbound.

NYPD detectives from the Collision Investigation Squad responded to the scene and, using continuous video surveillance footage, traced the defendant’s truck to the Gravesend area of Brooklyn, where they apprehended him. Upon further examination, detectives found the defendant had removed a temporary license plate that had been affixed to the truck and replaced it with another temporary plate. The detectives found the original temporary plate on scene, torn into multiple pieces. A search pursuant to a warrant also recovered a footpeg from the victim’s motorcycle in the cab of the truck. Video surveillance footage depicts the defendant removing the footpeg from the truck’s rear tires.

The victim was taken to NYU Langone Hospital, where he was pronounced dead.

The case was investigated by the NYPD’s Collision Investigation Squad.

The case was prosecuted by Assistant District Attorney Christopher Dunne, of the District Attorney’s Blue Zone Trial Bureau, with the assistance of Assistance District Attorney Ashley Infante, also of the Blue Zone, and Assistant District Attorney Christopher Velez, Deputy Chief the District Attorney’s Street Safety Bureau, under the supervision of Assistant District Attorney Kin Ng, Chief of the Blue Zone, and Assistant District Attorney Jennifer Nocella, Chief of the District Attorney’s Street Safety Bureau.

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