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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

Wednesday, October 29, 2025

Man Sentenced to 32½ Years to Life in Prison for Murder of
Brooklyn Philanthropist in his Fort Greene Home

Defendant Fatally Stabbed Victim and Set House Ablaze

Brooklyn District Attorney Eric Gonzalez today announced that a homeless man has been sentenced to 32.5 years to life in prison for stabbing a Brooklyn man 22 times, killing him, and then setting fire to his Fort Greene townhouse.

District Attorney Gonzalez said, “L. Antonio Litman opened his door, his table, and his heart to others, and his kindness and generosity were met with unimaginable violence. The theft of such a caring, generous life demanded the accountability that today’s sentence delivers, and my heart continues to be with Mr. Litman’s loved ones and the Fort Greene community as we refuse to let his name be forgotten.”

The District Attorney identified the defendant as Dondre Richardson, 38, who was residing in a Manhattan homeless shelter at the time of the incident. He was sentenced today by Brooklyn Supreme Court Justice Donald Leo to 32½ years to life in prison — 25 years to life for second-degree murder and a consecutive term of 7½ to 15 years for third-degree arson. The defendant was convicted of these counts on June 24, 2025 following a jury trial.

The District Attorney said that, according to the evidence, on January 20, 2020, at approximately 3:10 a.m., the defendant was inside the home of L. Antonio Litman, located at 248 Adelphi Street, in Fort Greene, Brooklyn. The two men were acquaintances. The defendant stabbed the victim 22 times about his body, killing him. He then set fire to the home before fleeing.

The victim’s body was found inside the building by firefighters responding to the blaze. The Office of the Chief Medical Examiner determined that the victim died as a result of stab wounds.

The defendant’s fingerprints were recovered from a bloody knife left at the scene and surveillance video captured him outside the building at the time of the incident. The defendant was arrested on January 28, 2020.

The District Attorney thanked Homicide Paralegal Meghan Brancaro and Green Zone Paralegal Aneudy Mata for their work on this case.

The case was prosecuted by Deputy Bureau Chief Cassandra Pond and Senior Assistant District Attorney Danyelle Shapiro, of the Green Zone Trial Bureau, under the supervision of Assistant District Attorney Leila Rosini, Homicide Bureau Chief.

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Wednesday, October 29, 2025

Brooklyn Man Sentenced to 18 Years in Prison for Killing
Father Defending His Daughter in Crown Heights

A Co-defendant Was Previously Sentenced to 18 Years to Life in Prison

Brooklyn District Attorney Eric Gonzalez today announced that a Brooklyn man has been sentenced to 18 years in prison for the fatal shooting of a man at the Kingsborough Houses in Crown Heights. The victim, a 43-year-old father, died defending his teenage daughter from the defendant and a co-defendant during an armed burglary attempt.

District Attorney Gonzalez said, “Phillip Scarlett died protecting his teenage daughter from two armed men in the ultimate act of a father’s bravery. While no sentence can heal the pain of this loss, the long prison terms these defendants received for this senseless killing delivers accountability. Even as gun violence in Brooklyn is at a record low, this case underscores the importance of the work we do every day to make our city safer.”

The District Attorney identified the defendant as Rashawn Brown, 29, of Crown Heights, Brooklyn. He was sentenced today to 18 years in prison and five years of post-release supervision by Brooklyn Supreme Court Justice John Hecht. The defendant pleaded guilty to one count of first-degree manslaughter on June 5, 2025.

A co-defendant, Waki Bullock, 33, of Crown Heights, was convicted of two counts of second-degree murder on December 9, 2024, following a jury trial. He was sentenced by Justice Hecht to 18 years to life in prison.

The District Attorney said that, according to the evidence, on January 13, 2019, at approximately 1:30 p.m., inside 219 Kingsborough 2 Walk, a building within NYCHA’s Kingsborough Houses, in Crown Heights, the defendant and his co-defendant shot and killed 43-year-old Phillip Scarlett. Scarlett was expecting a visit from his 14-year-old daughter, who was heading to the sixth-floor apartment to get laundry money. As the girl approached the entrance, the defendant and his co-defendant, who were standing in the hallway wearing masks and armed, grabbed her before she could enter. The girl yelled out for her father who in response ran to the door and was able to pull the girl away from the masked men. The victim used his body to shield his daughter from the defendant and co-defendant by pushing her into the apartment. The defendant and co-defendant then grabbed the victim, dragged him down the staircase where, according to the evidence, they shot him in the hip and thigh.

The victim was taken to Interfaith Medical Center where he was pronounced dead.

The defendant was apprehended on October 2, 2020.

The District Attorney thanked KCDA Digital Evidence Lab Intelligence Analyst Zoë Feygin and Unit Chief Jingu Chong for their work on this case.

The District Attorney also thanked Homicide Paralegal Angelika Rostkowska and Blue Zone Paralegal Sharlesia Agaga.

The case was prosecuted by Senior Assistant District Attorney Joseph Mancino, of the District Attorney’s Homicide Bureau, and Senior Assistant District Attorney Jessica Wishart, of the District Attorney’s Blue Zone Trial Bureau, under the supervision of Assistant District Attorney Leila Rosini, Chief of the Homicide Bureau.

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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

Thursday, October 9, 2025

Brooklyn Man Sentenced to 20 Years to Life in Prison
for Fatally Stabbing His 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 man has been sentenced to 20 years to life in prison for the murder of his 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 Andre Eugene, 38, of Starrett City, Brooklyn. He 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 his mother and her dog during a violent outburst. He 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. He was charged with his 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