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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Wednesday, September 10, 2025

Brooklyn Man Sentenced to Life in Prison for

Triple Murder in East New York

Defendant Fatally Shot Victims in Two Separate, Execution-Style Attacks

Brooklyn District Attorney Eric Gonzalez today announced that a Brooklyn man has been sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole for the murders of three people during two separate East New York shooting incidents in June 2020. The defendant used disguises and high-capacity firearms to ambush and kill his victims in broad daylight.

District Attorney Gonzalez said, “This defendant’s crimes were ruthless and deliberate, cutting short three lives and leaving their families with grief that will last a lifetime. While gun violence in Brooklyn is at record lows, we cannot lose sight of the devastation caused by horrific acts like these and the lasting impact they have on entire communities. Today’s sentence brings accountability and makes clear that this kind of brutality will never be tolerated in our borough.”

The District Attorney identified the defendant as Charles Hernandez, 52, of East New York, Brooklyn. He was sentenced today by Brooklyn Supreme Court Justice Danny Chun to life in prison without the possibility of parole. He was convicted on May 21, 2025, following a jury trial, of one count of first-degree murder, two counts of second-degree murder, two counts of second-degree criminal possession of a weapon and one count of first-degree reckless endangerment.

Additionally, the District Attorney identified a co-defendant as Liza Jenkins, 52, of East New York. On May 22, 2025, following a bench trial, she was convicted of second-degree hindering prosecution and tampering with physical evidence for her role in assisting Hernandez after the first homicide. She will be sentenced at a later date.

The District Attorney said that, according to the investigation, on June 20, 2020, at approximately 11 a.m., the defendant approached Kenneth Singleton, 35, from behind as Singleton was washing his car outside of his home in the vicinity of Milford Street and Blake Avenue, in East New York. Wearing a disguise, the defendant shot Singleton multiple times in the head at close range and fled the scene.

Furthermore, according to the evidence, a week later, on June 27, 2020, at approximately 12:30 p.m., the defendant approached Stephanie Perkins, 39, and Chioke Thompson, 23, as they sat on the stoop of Perkins’ home on Van Siclen Street, near Belmont Avenue, in East New York. Disguised in a blonde wig and wearing a long coat, the defendant opened fire with a high-capacity rifle, striking both victims multiple times and killing them instantly. The defendant then stepped over their bodies, entered the house and fired additional shots throughout the first floor before fleeing.

Evidence established that each victim was targeted because of their relationship or proximity to a man with whom the defendant had an ongoing dispute. The attacks endangered other people in the vicinity, including a child and other residents inside Perkins’ home.

The defendant was arrested on July 9, 2020, in West Virginia, by the Regional Fugitive Task Force, with assistance from the West Virginia State Police and the Martinsburg Police Department.

The District Attorney thanked Chief Analyst of the Digital Evidence Lab Alexandra Aber, Senior Digital Forensic Analyst Mauricio Suarez-Marquez and Paralegals Jannette Ayala and Amanda Connolly, of the District Attorney’s Homicide Bureau, for their assistance on the case.

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

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Friday, September 5, 2025

Staten Island Man Indicted for Murder in Fatal Sunset Park Hit-and-Run Crash

Defendant Allegedly Drove with BAC up to
.19 Before Killing Two Pedestrians

Brooklyn District Attorney Eric Gonzalez today announced that a Staten Island man has been arraigned on an indictment charging him with murder, manslaughter, criminally negligent homicide and related offenses for allegedly driving drunk, running a steady red light and striking two men who were crossing the street in a crosswalk in Sunset Park. The defendant then allegedly fled the scene without stopping.

District Attorney Gonzalez said, “This defendant allegedly chose to drive drunk and speed through a red light, and two innocent men lost their lives while simply crossing the street. Kexun Chen and Faqiu Lin should still be with their families today. We will fight for justice on their behalf and make clear that reckless drivers who endanger lives will be held fully accountable.”

The District Attorney identified the defendant as Juventino Anastacio Florentino, 23, of Staten Island. He was arraigned today before Brooklyn Supreme Court Justice ¬¬Dineen Riviezzo on an indictment in which is he charged with two counts of second-degree murder, two counts of second-degree manslaughter, two counts of criminally negligent homicide and related charges. Bail was set at $300,000 bond or $100,000 cash and the defendant was ordered to return to court on November 14, 2025.

It is alleged that on July 11, 2025, at approximately 4:22 a.m., the defendant was driving southbound on Third Avenue when he allegedly sped through a steady red light at 52nd Street and struck two men who were in the crosswalk with the right of way. The victims were identified as Kexun Chen, 80, and Faqiu Lin, 59. The defendant then allegedly fled the crash site without reporting the incident. Both victims were later pronounced dead at the scene.

Investigators recovered video surveillance and vehicle parts at the crash site, and license plate reader technology identified the BMW. The defendant was arrested later that morning at his Staten Island residence. According to the investigation, the defendant’s vehicle displayed damage consistent with striking pedestrians, and the defendant showed signs of intoxication. Testing indicated his blood alcohol content was between .13 and .19 — well above the legal limit of .08. Approximately eight hours after the crash, the defendant allegedly blew a .04 on a breath test and admitted to drinking earlier that night.

The District Attorney thanked detectives of the NYPD’s Highway District Brooklyn Collision Investigation Squad and the detectives of the NYPD’s Brooklyn South Video Team for their case enhancement and assistance in the investigation.

The case is being prosecuted by Assistant District Attorney Adam Ghalmi, of the District Attorney’s Green Zone Trial Bureau, with assistance from Assistant District Attorney Christopher Velez, Deputy Bureau Chief of the Street Safety Bureau and Assistant District Attorney Jennifer Nocella, Chief of the Street Safety Bureau, under the supervision of Assistant District Attorney Michael Boykin, Deputy Bureau Chief, and Assistant District Attorney Cassandra Pond, Deputy Bureau Chief, under the overall supervision of Assistant District Attorney Frank DeGaetano, Bureau Chief.

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

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Wednesday, August 27, 2025

Brownsville Man Sentenced to 15 Years in Prison for Shooting
That Wounded Three-Year-Old Girl

Defendant Opened Fire on Perceived Gang Rival,
Struck Toddler Leaving Daycare with Father

Brooklyn District Attorney Eric Gonzalez today announced that a Brownsville man has been sentenced to 15 years in prison for a 2022 shooting in which a three-year-old was struck in the shoulder as she was leaving daycare with her father.

District Attorney Gonzalez said, “When violent gang members treat our streets like shooting galleries, innocent families pay the price. This defendant nearly killed a precious three-year-old on her way home from day care, and he will now be held accountable with a lengthy prison sentence. With gun violence in Brooklyn at a record low, my office will continue to relentlessly dismantle gangs until every Brooklyn resident can walk home in safety.”

The District Attorney identified the defendant as Daleek Habersham, 26, of Brownsville, Brooklyn. He was sentenced today by Brooklyn Supreme Court Justice Danny Chun to 15 years in prison. The defendant pleaded guilty to second-degree attempted murder on June 11, 2025.

According to the evidence, the defendant was a member of the Brownsville-based CHOO gang and was charged as part of a 2022 takedown targeting CHOO and its rival crew, WOOO.
The crews were linked to dozens of shootings across Brooklyn between 2020 and 2022, including incidents that left two people dead and several innocent bystanders wounded.

The District Attorney said that, according to the evidence, on March 25, 2022, at approximately 6 p.m., the defendant exited a BMW on Riverdale Avenue near Amboy Street in Brownsville and opened fire in the direction of a man placing a child into a car, mistakenly believing him to be a member of rival WOOO gang. Instead, the defendant struck a three-year-old girl walking nearby with her father, hitting her in the shoulder. Responding officers rushed the toddler to Brookdale Hospital, where she survived after emergency medical treatment.

The next day, the defendant sent a screenshot of a news story about the shooting to a private Instagram group with the message “did bad.”

In total, 32 alleged gang members of the WOOO and CHOO gangs were indicted in 2022 on 106 counts, including 19 shootings that left 14 people injured and two dead. The takedown also resulted in the recovery of 27 firearms.

The District Attorney thanked Assistant District Attorney Kelly Maloney, Deputy Chief of the District Attorney’s Domestic Violence Bureau, and Paralegals Tania Lopez and Dian Fields-Vernon, of the Violent Criminal Enterprises Bureau, for their assistance on the case.

This case was prosecuted by Senior Assistant District Attorney Winnie Choi, of the District Attorney’s Violent Criminal Enterprises Bureau, under the supervision of Assistant District Attorney Gillian DiPietro, VCE Deputy Chief, Assistant District Attorney Jennifer Cilia, VCE First Deputy Chief, and Assistant District Attorney Alfred De Ingeniis, VCE Bureau Chief.

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Tuesday, August 26, 2025

Broadway Producer Sentenced for Fraudulent COVID-19 Grant Scheme

Defendant Pleaded Guilty to Falsifying Records to Obtain $69,000 in Pandemic Relief Funds

Brooklyn District Attorney Eric Gonzalez, together with New York State Inspector General Lucy Lang, announced today that a Brooklyn woman has been sentenced for fraudulently obtaining more than $69,000 in COVID-19 small business recovery grants by filing falsified records.

District Attorney Gonzalez said, “This defendant took advantage of a public health crisis by falsifying records to secure government aid that was meant to keep struggling small businesses afloat. My office will continue to investigate and prosecute those who attempt to enrich themselves through fraud at the expense of programs designed to protect New Yorkers.”

Inspector General Lang said, “Abuse of scarce state resources — during the pandemic and always — is a crime against both government and New Yorkers in need. Thank you to our partners at the Brooklyn District Attorney’s Office for sharing our commitment to public integrity and to ensuring accountability for those who undermine it.”

The District Attorney identified the defendant as Suzanne Gilad, 54, of Prospect Heights, Brooklyn. She pleaded guilty to second-degree falsifying business records and was sentenced by Brooklyn Criminal Court Judge Janet McDonnell on April 28, 2025 to a conditional discharge and ordered to complete 210 hours of community service, proof of which she provided to the court today. The defendant previously reimbursed the State for the funds.

The District Attorney said that, according to the evidence, between December 2021 and January 2022, the defendant submitted multiple fraudulent applications for grants offered by the New York State Empire State Development to assist businesses that experienced financial losses during the COVID-19 pandemic. The defendant submitted falsified copies of federal business income tax returns on behalf of three companies she controlled: In Fine Company LLC, Custom Broadway LLC and All the Josh Cohens LLC. As a result of the fraudulent applications, the defendant received approximately $69,099 in grant funds, which she then transferred into her personal bank accounts.

The case was prosecuted by Assistant District Attorney Kirsten Tamayo of the District Attorney’s Fraud Bureau and Assistant District Attorney Adam Libove, Deputy Chief of the District Attorney’s Public Integrity Bureau, under the supervision of Assistant District Attorneys Laura Neubauer, Chief of the Public Integrity Bureau, Michel Spanakos, Deputy Chief of the Investigations Division, and Patricia McNeill, Chief of the Investigations Division.

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Monday, August 25, 2025

New Jersey Brothers Indicted for Alleged Financial Scam Targeting Seniors

Allegedly Claimed Victims’ Bank Accounts Were Compromised and Directed Them to Send
Funds to the “Government” for Safekeeping or to Other Bank Accounts They Controlled

Brooklyn District Attorney Eric Gonzalez today announced that two New Jersey men, acting in concert with others, have been indicted for allegedly scamming four women ranging in age from 76 to 90 years old out of almost $400,000 by posing as government agents or bank representatives and claiming the victims’ bank accounts were compromised and they needed to withdraw their funds immediately – and not tell anyone what they were doing.

District Attorney Gonzalez said, “These defendants allegedly targeted some of the most vulnerable members of our communities to steal the nest eggs they had carefully built up over many years. Their alleged behavior is despicable, and we will now seek to bring them to justice. I am committed to protecting our senior citizens from scams such as this one.”

The District Attorney identified the defendants as Abhishek Barvalia, 31, and Tushar Barvalia, 32, of Rutherford, New Jersey. They were arraigned today before Brooklyn Supreme Court Justice Danny Chun on an indictment in which they are charged with second-degree grand larceny, first-degree scheme to defraud and fourth-degree conspiracy. They were released without bail and ordered to return to court on October 22, 2025.

The District Attorney said that, according to the investigation, between June 2023 and January 2024, the defendants allegedly participated in a scheme that targeted at least four victims who were 76, 78, 83, and 90 years old. The victims lived in Brooklyn, Staten Island, Queens, and Connecticut. In some cases, it is alleged, the victims were instructed to keep their withdrawals confidential to protect the secrecy of the “government investigation.”

It is alleged that on December 11, 2023, the 76-year-old victim received a pop-up notification on her computer screen which urged her to call the number displayed on the screen, which she did, and spoke to a person purporting to be an FBI agent. The “agent” told the victim hackers were using her information for illegal activities including selling drugs and guns and money laundering. The victim was told she needed to secure her savings by transferring money out of her bank accounts and into accounts “controlled by the U.S. government.” That same day she withdrew a total of $171,680 in three cashier’s checks and mailed them to the defendants.

Furthermore, it is alleged, on July 5, 2023, the 78-year-old victim received a pop-up notification on her computer screen claiming her computer was infected with malware and urging her to call “Microsoft” at the number displayed on her screen, which she did and was then transferred to someone purporting to be with the Federal Trade Commission who told her hackers were trying to steal money from her bank accounts and she should send funds to the federal government for safekeeping. Over the next two days, the victim sent two cashier’s checks totaling $70,000 to the defendants.

It is alleged that on December 4, 2023, the 90-year-old victim received a pop-up notification on her computer warning her of a purported “Apple Security Risk” and then began speaking with a purported government agent who allegedly said her bank accounts were being hacked and used to store money related to illicit activity including child pornography. Over the next two weeks the victim was persuaded to send a total of approximately $136,224 to accounts allegedly controlled by the defendants.

Finally, it is alleged that on June 30, 2023, the 83-year-old victim received a phone call from someone purporting to be a bank representative who convinced the victim to disclose information about her account. Later that day, $15,000 was wired out of the victim’s account into an account allegedly controlled by the defendants. That same day, an additional request for $21,000 was made but denied by the bank.

The District Attorney said that financial schemes are often conducted through a person contacting the victims under the guise of protecting their assets, with the callers representing themselves as a law enforcement officer, a representative of a financial institution, or security from a technology firm such as Microsoft or Apple. The caller typically requests some transfer of funds or information about accounts. The perpetrators direct the victims to mail cashier’s checks or send funds via a wire transfer.

The District Attorney offered the following information to guard against being victimized by a financial scheme:

• • Beware of any warnings that pop up on your computer screen which claim that your bank account is being hacked and that you need to call a certain phone number.
  • DO NOT call that number.
  • DO NOT click on anything received in an unsolicited email or text message.
  • DO NOT give your bank account information or PIN number to anyone who calls you and claims to be a federal agent or banker. End the call
  • immediately.
  • DO go to your bank branch and tell a manager what happened, or if that is not possible, call your local branch and speak to a manager about what happened.
  • Beware of any caller who requests absolute confidentiality and requests that you not tell family members or contact the police.

The District Attorney thanked KCDA Detective Investigators for their work on this case, as well as Supervising Financial Investigator Susan Ryan, Intelligence Analyst Veranika Basak and Paralegal Jezebel Negrete-Ugaz.

The case is being prosecuted by Assistant District Attorney Andrew Kohler, Special Counsel to the District Attorney’s Investigations Division, and Senior Assistant District Attorney Frank Ungerer, also of the Investigations Division, under the supervision of Assistant District Attorney Michel Spanakos, Deputy Chief of the Investigations Division and the overall supervision of Assistant District Attorney Patricia McNeill, Chief of the Investigations Division.

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

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Wednesday, August 20, 2025

Brooklyn Man Sentenced to 25 Years to Life in Prison for
Execution Style Murder in Bedford-Stuyvesant

 Victim Lured to Neighborhood in Premeditated Plot as Defendant Lay in Wait

Brooklyn District Attorney Eric Gonzalez today announced that a Brooklyn man has been sentenced to 25 years to life in prison for fatally gunning down another man in Bedford-Stuyvesant.

District Attorney Gonzalez said, “This defendant opened fire in broad daylight on a crowded street, killing his intended target and striking an innocent bystander. He was arrested and prosecuted following a thorough investigation and has now been held accountable. My thoughts today are with the young victim’s devastated family. Acts of gun violence in Brooklyn will always lead to severe consequences.”

The District Attorney identified the defendant Rahmell Howell, 29, of Brooklyn. He was sentenced today by Brooklyn Supreme Court Justice Danny Chun to 25 years to life in prison. The defendant was convicted of second-degree murder, first-degree reckless endangerment and two counts of second-degree criminal possession of a weapon on June 16, 2025, following a jury trial.

The District Attorney said that, according to the evidence, on September 10, 2021, at approximately 6 p.m., the victim, Jermaine Isaiah Hill-Cross, 23, was standing in front of 354 Clifton Place. At the time, the defendant and another individual were inside an apartment located at 366 Clifton Place. Upon seeing the victim, the defendant and the other person immediately exited the apartment and walked up to the victim. The defendant was brandishing a gun, and the victim ran away. The defendant then chased the victim down Clifton Place, according to the evidence, and fired six shots, striking the victim once in the chest. A 42-year-old man standing on the block was struck once in the buttocks.

The victim, who was a former friend of the defendant and went to school with him, was lured to the area after getting some phone calls an hour before the murder, taking a taxi from Manhattan to Brooklyn, according to the evidence.

The defendant, who boasted about the shooting on social media, was arrested on November 5, 2021.

The case was prosecuted by Senior Assistant District Attorney Jonathan Visotzky, of the District Attorney’s Homicide Bureau, and Assistant District Attorney Han Zhang, 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

Wednesday, August 20, 2025

Brooklyn Man Pleads Guilty to Manslaughter
In Fatal Bushwick Car Crash

Fled Police and Ran Red Light at 75 Mile Per Hour, Victim Was Ejected from Vehicle

Brooklyn District Attorney Eric Gonzalez today announced that a Cypress Hills man has pleaded guilty to manslaughter and other charges in connection with a fatal collision that killed a 29-year-old woman in Bushwick. The defendant was speeding away from police when he ran a red light and struck a vehicle the victim was a passenger in. He pleaded guilty in exchange for a promised sentence of four to 12 years in prison.

District Attorney Gonzalez said, “This defendant’s reckless and criminal actions cost an innocent woman her life, devastating her family and loved ones. By fleeing police at high speed through dense city streets, he showed a complete disregard for the safety of others. With his guilty plea, he has accepted responsibility for the irreversible harm he caused, and he will be held accountable.”

The District Attorney identified the defendant as Juan Lopez, 33, of Cypress Hills, Brooklyn. He pleaded guilty today before Brooklyn Supreme Court Justice Edward King 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. The defendant was held without bail following his guilty plea and is expected to be sentenced to an indeterminate term of four to 12 years in prison on September 30, 2025.

 The District Attorney said that, according to the investigation, on May 26, 2024, at approximately 5:28 a.m., officers from the NYPD’s 83^rd 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, 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

Monday, August 18, 2025

Brownsville Man Sentenced to 10 Years in Prison for
Shooting Man Five Times in Broad Daylight Following Dispute

Defendant Left Area After Argument, Returned with a Gun, and Chased and Shot the Victim

Brooklyn District Attorney Eric Gonzalez today announced that a Brooklyn man has been sentenced to 10 years in prison for shooting another man following an argument at a deli in Brownsville. The defendant was convicted of attempted murder following a jury trial.

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

The District Attorney identified the defendant as Orando Matthan, 25, of Brownsville, Brooklyn. He was sentenced today by Brooklyn Supreme Court Justice Margaret Martin to 10 years in prison. The defendant was convicted of second-degree attempted murder, first-degree assault and two counts of second-degree criminal possession of a weapon on June 25, 2025, following a jury trial.

Two co-defendants, Jeovanie Nelson and Alex Davis, previously pleaded guilty in connection to this case. Nelson, 25, pleaded guilty to second-degree criminal possession of a weapon on May 7, 2025, and was sentenced to five years in prison. Davis, 24, pleaded guilty to second-degree hindering prosecution on January 8, 2025, and is awaiting sentencing.

The District Attorney said that, according to the evidence, on June 3, 2023, the defendant and his co-defendant, Jeovanie Nelson, got into an argument with the victim, a 25-year-old man, at a deli located at 1167 Lenox Road in Brownsville. The defendant shoved the victim before leaving the deli with Nelson. The pair walked to the defendant’s home, and the defendant went inside and got a loaded gun, showed it to Nelson and put it into his own hoodie pocket, according to the evidence, and they walked back to the deli and got into another argument with the victim. The defendant walked to the back of the deli and reached into his pocket, but by the time he returned to the front of the deli the victim had already left.

Furthermore, according to the evidence, at approximately 1:46 p.m., the defendant located the victim in front of a store at 332 East 98th Street, in Brownsville. The defendant began firing shots at the victim, who ran into the store. The defendant chased the victim and fired from the store doorway at point-blank range. The victim was struck five times: in the hip, forearm, pinky, thigh, and head. He was taken to Brookdale Hospital and underwent lifesaving surgery.

The defendants fled the scene to a location on Saratoga Avenue, which is the home of another co-defendant, Alex Davis. The defendants stripped off their clothes while running to change their appearances and the defendant got rid of the gun by discarding it in a garbage can. Nelson called Davis (who was not home) and asked him to come and pick them up, according to the evidence, and said: “I just got a body.” Davis picked them up and they fled the area.

The defendants were arrested on July 25, 2023, following an investigation.

The case was prosecuted by Assistant District Attorney Werner Kuang, of the District Attorney’s Violent Criminal Enterprises Bureau, under the supervision of Assistant District Attorney Karen Varriale, Deputy Bureau Chief, with assistance from Assistant District Attorney Matthew Stewart, Deputy Bureau Chief, and the overall supervision of Assistant District Attorney Alfred De Ingeniis, Bureau Chief.

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Friday, August 15, 2025

Long Island Man Sentenced to Nine Years in Prison for Attempted Murder for Deliberately Hitting Woman with His Car, Attempting to Flip MTA Bus

Defendant Drove into Pedestrian, Then Bus in Broad Daylight Attack

Brooklyn District Attorney Eric Gonzalez today announced that a Long Island Man was sentenced to nine years in prison for attempting to murder a woman by intentionally crashing into her with his car and then ramming into an MTA bus in Downtown Brooklyn.

District Attorney Gonzalez said, “This was a chilling, premeditated attack on a woman simply walking down the street. The defendant used his car as a weapon and endangered dozens of other pedestrians on a busy street corner. Thanks to the quick actions of witnesses and court officers, he was stopped and is now being held accountable for this violent crime.”

The District Attorney identified the defendant as Jason Schaal, 43, of Riverhead, New York. He was sentenced today to nine years in prison by Brooklyn Supreme Court Justice Jane Tully. The defendant pleaded guilty to second-degree attempted murder on July 25, 2025.

The District Attorney said that, according to the evidence, on August 15, 2023, at approximately 3:18 p.m., the defendant was driving a 2012 Toyota Prius on Willoughby Street near Jay Street when he turned sharply onto the sidewalk, striking a 38-year-old woman standing on the corner.

The defendant continued driving erratically through Downtown Brooklyn, ultimately plowing into an MTA bus at the intersection of Boerum Place and Livingston Street.

The defendant exited the vehicle and attempted to flee but was apprehended by civilians and court officers located at Brooklyn Criminal Court. While in custody, the defendant admitted to officers that he intentionally struck the victim and tried to flip over the bus.

The victim suffered cuts to the head and was transported to Methodist Hospital for treatment. The driver of the MTA bus suffered neck and back pain and was treated at the same hospital. There were no other injuries.

The case was prosecuted by Assistant District Attorney Ashley Infante, of the District Attorney’s Blue Zone Trial Bureau, with the assistance of Assistance District Attorney Madison Penn, 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.

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Wednesday, August 6, 2025

Former Chairman of Emergency Medicine at SUNY Downstate
Medical Center Sentenced to Up to Three Years in Prison

Defendant Admitted Stealing Nearly $1.5 Million, Used Business Credit Card for
Personal Travel and Purchases, College Tuition and Cash Advances

Brooklyn District Attorney Eric Gonzalez, together with New York State Inspector General Lucy Lang, today announced that a now retired emergency medicine doctor has been sentenced to one to three years in prison. The defendant pleaded guilty in June to grand larceny for stealing approximately $1.44 million by using a business credit card for personal purchases and cash advances.

District Attorney Gonzalez said, “This defendant was entrusted with a leadership role at a critical Brooklyn medical institution and violated that trust by stealing nearly $1.5 million. SUNY Downstate does vital, lifesaving work, and these stolen funds could have been used to support patient care and medical services. Instead, they were diverted for personal expenses over a period of years. With today’s sentence, the defendant is being held accountable for this serious breach of trust. We remain committed to protecting public institutions from fraud and abuse, and I commend our prosecutors, along with our partners in the Inspector General’s Office and the Department of Taxation and Finance, for their outstanding work on this case.”

Inspector General Lang said, “Our state funded hospitals rely on every dollar to provide care to their patients, and it shocks the conscience that a doctor entrusted with caring for our state’s most vulnerable communities would steal them to bankroll his luxury lifestyle. This case should serve as a stark warning to any public servant who would consider abusing their position of trust for personal gain. Thank you to my team and to District Attorney Gonzalez and his staff for their partnership in combatting public corruption.”

SUNY Chancellor John B. King Jr. said, “SUNY took immediate action and alerted authorities when these illegal activities were uncovered by SUNY’s auditors, and we greatly appreciate the partnership of the District Attorney and Inspector General, in particular, in bringing this matter to a close. With more stringent internal controls and comprehensive oversight systems in place, SUNY Downstate is now in a stronger position.”

The District Attorney identified the defendant as Dr. Michael Lucchesi, 67, of Staten Island. He was sentenced today to an indeterminate term of one to three years in prison by Brooklyn Supreme Court Danny Chun. The defendant pleaded guilty to one count of first-degree grand larceny on June 13, 2025. In addition, the defendant agreed to make restitution in the amount of $720,000, which included restitution of $63,926 to the New York State Department of Taxation and Finance on the day of the guilty plea and restitution of $656,074 to Downstate Hospital’s clinical practice today.

The District Attorney said that, according to the investigation, between December 1, 2016 and January 31, 2023, the defendant, a medical doctor, who was the Chairman of Emergency Medicine at SUNY Downstate Medical Center, and at various points was the acting head of Downstate Hospital and the medical school, and was the Chief Medical Officer, made personal purchases using a credit card meant to be used for business purposes only by members of the clinical practice, University Physicians of Brooklyn, of SUNY Downstate.

The District Attorney said that, according to the investigation, the defendant’s spending totaled approximately $1.44 million and included cash advances of approximately $115,000; pet care totaling $176,000 (including $120,000 paid to The Greenleaf Pet Resort & Hotel in New Jersey); $348,000 spent on personal travel; $109,000 in payments to the New York Sports Club for membership and personal training; $92,000 for premium seating for sporting events, concerts and Broadway shows; $52,000 in catering expenses; $46,000 in tuition payments for his children; and assorted payments for online shopping, flowers, liquor, electronics and other items.

The thefts were discovered by SUNY during an audit.

The District Attorney thanked Investigative Counsel Thomas Collery, Senior Investigative Auditor Angelus Okeke, Investigative Auditor Victoria Oliva, and Senior Investigator Jimmy Gibson, under the supervision of Chief of Investigations for the Downstate Regional Offices Ben Defibaugh, Deputy Inspector General for the New York City Regional Office Ken Michaels, and Chief Deputy Inspector General Michele Bayer of the Offices of the New York State Inspector General for their work on the case.

The District Attorney also thanked the New York State Department of Taxation and Finance, Criminal Investigations Division.

The District Attorney thanked KCDA Chief Financial Investigator Ludwig Sanchez, Financial Investigator Jose Carlos Covas, Assistant District Attorney Dewey Golkin, Director of the Crimes Against Revenue Bureau, as well as KCDA Detective Investigators and Paralegal Jezebel Negrete-Ugaz, for their assistance on the case.

The case was prosecuted by Assistant District Attorney Michael Choi and Assistant District Attorney Andrew Kohler, both Special Counsel to the District Attorney’s Investigations Division, under the supervision of Assistant District Attorney Michel Spanakos, Deputy Chief of the Investigations Division, and the overall supervision of Assistant District Attorney Patricia McNeill, Chief of the Investigations Division.

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