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Damian Williams

Westchester Man Nabbed For Sexually Exploiting Boy Gets More Charges: Feds Westchester Man Nabbed For Sexually Exploiting Boy Gets More Charges: Feds
Westchester Man Nabbed For Sexually Exploiting Boy Gets More Charges: Feds More details have emerged about a Northern Westchester man accused of sexually exploiting a teenage boy, federal officials announced.  Bedford Hills resident James Collins Jr., age 67, was arrested on sexual exploitation charges on Wednesday morning, Jan. 24, the US Attorney's Office for the Southern District of New York announced.  According to federal officials, on Tuesday, Nov. 7, 2023, Collins tried persuading an undercover agent posing as a 15-year-old boy to meet him at a library in New Castle to engage in sexual activities.  Earlier Report - Man Engages in Sexua…
City In Westchester Let Raw Sewage Flow In Sewer System, Discharge Into Rivers: Feds City In Westchester Let Raw Sewage Flow In Sewer System, Discharge Into Rivers: Feds
City In Westchester Let Raw Sewage Flow In Sewer System, Discharge Into Rivers: Feds A city in Westchester will have to take action after failing to comply with environmental requirements and allowing raw sewage to enter sewers, causing it to be discharged into nearby rivers, federal officials said.  The US Department of Justice announced on Tuesday, Sept. 19 that both the United States and the State of New York entered into a civil Consent Decree with Mount Vernon to resolve ongoing litigation regarding sewage entering the city's sewers.  According to federal officials, the city failed to comply with Clean Water Act requirements for municipal storm sewers, causin…
Duo Accused Of Running Prostitution Ring Out Of Westchester Massage Parlors: Feds Duo Accused Of Running Prostitution Ring Out Of Westchester Massage Parlors: Feds
Duo Accused Of Running Prostitution Ring Out Of Westchester Massage Parlors: Feds A husband and wife face charges after allegedly running an extensive prostitution business out of multiple New York massage parlors, including several in the Hudson Valley.  Putnam County residents Hong Ru Lin, age 50, and Kena Zhao, age 45, both of Putnam Valley, were arrested on Thursday, Sept. 14 for allegedly running a prostitution business out of numerous massage parlors in Putnam, Westchester, Queens, and Manhattan, the US Attorney's Office for the Southern District of New York announced. According to federal officials, Lin and Zhao started running the prostitution ring in Septem…
Former NYPD Officer From Westchester Helped Gang Leader Escape Justice: Feds Former NYPD Officer From Westchester Helped Gang Leader Escape Justice: Feds
Former Nypd Officer From Westchester Helped Gang Leader Escape Justice: Feds A former New York City Police officer from Northern Westchester has been charged with warning gang members about details of a federal investigation into them, as well as helping the group's leader to escape capture for a murder he committed, officials said. Former NYPD officer Gina Mestre, a 33-year-old Mohegan Lake resident, was arrested on Tuesday, Aug. 15 for her role in obstructing a federal investigation into the Shooting Boys gang as well as serving as an accessory after the fact to a murder committed by the group, the US Attorney's Office for Southern District of New York announced o…
Westchester Man Among 6 Genovese Crime Family Suspects Sentenced For Racketeering Westchester Man Among 6 Genovese Crime Family Suspects Sentenced For Racketeering
Westchester Man Among 6 Genovese Crime Family Suspects Sentenced For Racketeering Six members and associates of the Genovese organized crime family, including a Westchester man and a Fairfield County resident, have been sentenced on racketeering charges, federal officials said.  The sentencings were announced on Friday, Aug. 4 by US Attorney for the Southern District of New York Damian Williams.  According to Williams, the six men were associated with the Genovese Organized Crime Family, part of a nationwide criminal organization known by various names such as "La Cosa Nostra" and the “Mafia."  Those sentenced included two "captains," who were r…
Sergeant Indicted After Tasing Handcuffed Victim 7 Times in 2 Minutes In Westchester: Feds Sergeant Indicted After Tasing Handcuffed Victim 7 Times in 2 Minutes In Westchester: Feds
Sergeant Indicted After Tasing Handcuffed Victim 7 Times in 2 Minutes In Westchester: Feds A Westchester Sergeant faces federal charges after tasing a handcuffed victim seven times in the span of two minutes and violating their rights in the process, officials said.  Brooklyn resident Mario Stewart, age 44, a Sergeant with the Mount Vernon Police Department, has been indicted on federal charges after allegedly using excessive force against a handcuffed individual in a March 2019 incident, the US Attorney's Office for the Southern District of New York announced on Thursday, July 20.  According to federal officials, at the time of the incident, Stewart had been …
Fentanyl Deaths: Dealer Nabbed By Westchester Task Force After Multiple Overdoses, Feds Say Fentanyl Deaths: Dealer Nabbed By Westchester Task Force After Multiple Overdoses, Feds Say
Fentanyl Deaths: Dealer Nabbed By Westchester Task Force After Multiple Overdoses, Feds Say A Hudson Valley man who allegedly peddled fentanyl to customers including friends, has been charged in connection with the death of two, and the overdoses of at least five people. Rockland County resident Justin Turnick, age 25, of Congers, was arrested on Wednesday, July 12 by agents with the Westchester Resident Agent Task Force for the Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA), along with local law enforcement agencies, said Damian Williams, the US Attorney for the Southern District of New York. Turnick was charged with distributing fentanyl that resulted in death or serious bodily injury to five vi…
Fire Department Discriminated Against Female Member In Westchester, Must Pay Her $425K: Feds Fire Department Discriminated Against Female Member In Westchester, Must Pay Her $425K: Feds
Fire Department Discriminated Against Female Member In Westchester, Must Pay Her $425K: Feds As the result of a settled federal civil rights lawsuit, a town and fire department in Westchester have been ordered to pay a former female member one of the largest-ever payments by a municipality in an employment discrimination case brought on behalf of a single person, officials said.  The payment is a result of a settled federal civil rights lawsuit that alleged the town of Harrison and the Harrison Fire Department discriminated against a former female firefighter, Angela Bommarito, based on her sex and failed to take disciplinary action against a male firefighter who even…
Enticing Minors Online: Hudson Valley Man Sentenced For Illegal Sexual Activity Enticing Minors Online: Hudson Valley Man Sentenced For Illegal Sexual Activity
Enticing Minors Online: Hudson Valley Man Sentenced For Illegal Sexual Activity A Hudson Valley man will spend decades in prison for using the internet to entice minors to engage in sexual activity, federal officials said.  Putnam County resident Marcelo Marin Vargas, age 45, was sentenced to 20 years in prison on Tuesday, May 9 after pleading guilty to enticing minors to engage in illegal sexual activity over the internet, according to the US Attorney's Office for the Southern District of New York.  According to federal officials, Vargas used a computer and the internet to persuade, entice, and coerce three underage girls to send him images and videos o…
Correction Officer From Westchester Admits To Assaulting Inmate, Falsifying Records Correction Officer From Westchester Admits To Assaulting Inmate, Falsifying Records
Correction Officer From Westchester Admits To Assaulting Inmate, Falsifying Records A correction officer from Northern Westchester has admitted to assaulting an inmate of the Dutchess County prison he once worked at and preparing false reports of the incident.  Cortlandt Manor resident Taj Everly, age 32, pleaded guilty to assaulting an inmate at the Green Haven Correctional Facility in Dutchess County, located in Stormville, in May 2020 and then obstructing the investigation into the incident, the US Attorney's Office for Southern District of New York announced on Thursday, April 27.  Earlier Report - Correction Officer From Cortlandt Manor Charg…
$3,800,000 Money Laundering Case: Attorney From Westchester Admits Role In Scheme $3,800,000 Money Laundering Case: Attorney From Westchester Admits Role In Scheme
$3,800,000 Money Laundering Case: Attorney From Westchester Admits Role In Scheme An attorney from Westchester has admitted to laundering money in order to make payments to maintain six US properties owned by a sanctioned Russian oligarch, federal officials said.  Pelham resident and attorney Robert Wise pleaded guilty on Tuesday, April 25 to participating in a scheme to make around $3.8 million in payments to maintain six properties in the US that were owned by Viktor Vekselberg, a sanctioned Russian oligarch, according to the US Attorney's Office for Southern District of New York.  According to federal officials, Vekselberg was designated …
$31M Trip-Fall Fraud Scheme: Attorneys, Doctor Sentenced For Defrauding NY Businesses $31M Trip-Fall Fraud Scheme: Attorneys, Doctor Sentenced For Defrauding NY Businesses
$31M Trip-Fall Fraud Scheme: Attorneys, Doctor Sentenced For Defrauding NY Businesses Sentences have been handed out for two attorneys and a doctor convicted of defrauding New York businesses and their insurance companies of more than $31 million through a massive, three-year trip-and-fall fraud scheme. The three men all live on Long Island -- 60-year-old George Constantine in Plainview, 50-year-old Marc Elefant in Woodmere, and 67-year-old Andrew Dowd in Miller Place. Constantine and Dowd were convicted at a trial in mid-December 2022 of conspiracy to commit mail and wire fraud, mail fraud, and wire fraud. Dowd was also found guilty of additional counts of conspiracy to co…
Woman Threatens To Shoot Up Popular Restaurant In Westchester On Busy Night, Officials Say Woman Threatens To Shoot Up Popular Restaurant In Westchester On Busy Night, Officials Say
Woman Threatens To Shoot Up Popular Restaurant In Westchester On Busy Night, Officials Say A 21-year-old woman faces charges after allegedly sending text messages that contained threats to shoot up a popular restaurant in Westchester on a busy weekend night, federal officials said. Bronx resident Jayleen Mota, age 21, was arrested on Sunday, April 16 after allegedly threatening to shoot up a popular nationwide chain restaurant and sports bar on LeCount Place in New Rochelle on Saturday, April 15, according to the US Attorney's Office for the Southern District of New York.  According to federal officials, the New Rochelle Police Department received a call from an in…
Man Sentenced For Murder Of 21-Year-Old In Westchester Man Sentenced For Murder Of 21-Year-Old In Westchester
Man Sentenced For Murder Of 21-Year-Old In Westchester A man who was implicated in the fatal shooting of a 21-year-old during a robbery in Westchester will now spend decades in prison.  Yonkers resident Darnell Kidd, age 31, was sentenced on Friday, April 14 to 35 years in prison for the 2011 murder of 21-year-old Jonathan Johnson, according to the US Attorney's Office for the Southern District of New York.  Earlier Report - Second Man Convicted For Fatal Shooting Of 21-Year-Old During Robbery In White Plains According to federal officials, on March 18, 2011, Kidd and his 31-year-old co-defendant Marcus Chambers k…
Quadruple Murder Case: Former Police Officer In Westchester Found Guilty Quadruple Murder Case: Former Police Officer In Westchester Found Guilty
Quadruple Murder Case: Former Police Officer In Westchester Found Guilty A former police officer at several municipalities in Westchester and Dutchess counties has been convicted for the murders of four men in Orange County after a drug deal that went bad. According to an indictment that was filed in White Plains Federal Court, Nicholas Tartaglione killed Martin Luna, age 41, Urbano Santiago, age 32, Miguel Luna, age 25, and Hector Gutierrez, 43, at the Likquid Lounge in the town of Chester in Orange County following the botched cocaine deal in April 2016. The first victim was allegedly strangled with a zip tie, and three others were taken to an Otisville home i…
$8M Fraud Scheme: Westchester Man Billed Millions In False Transportation Claims $8M Fraud Scheme: Westchester Man Billed Millions In False Transportation Claims
$8M Fraud Scheme: Westchester Man Billed Millions In False Transportation Claims A Westchester man will spend years in prison after billing more than $8 million in false transportation service claims as part of a multi-million-dollar Medicaid fraud scheme.  Yonkers resident Julio Alvarado, age 63, was sentenced to 95 months in prison on Wednesday, March 29 for leading the scheme which ended up defrauding Medicaid out of millions of dollars, according to the US Attorney's Office for the Southern District of New York.  According to federal officials, Alvarado was responsible for billing more than $8 million in fraudulent transportation services for Medicaid…
Contractor, Real Estate Developer Plead Guilty In Connection With Worker Death In Hudson Valley Contractor, Real Estate Developer Plead Guilty In Connection With Worker Death In Hudson Valley
Contractor, Real Estate Developer Plead Guilty In Connection With Worker Death In Hudson Valley A construction company and its owner have pleaded guilty to violating OSHA regulations resulting in the death of a Hudson Valley construction worker and the injury of another in 2017. OneKey, a New Jersey construction company, and its owner, Finbar O'Neill, pleaded guilty on Thursday, Feb. 2, said Damian Williams, the US Attorney for the Southern District of New York. According to statements and filings in federal court: In 2017, OneKey and O’Neill implemented a soil compaction plan at a construction site in Dutchess County at 1 Dutchess Ave. in Poughkeepsie. The soil compaction …
Sarah Lawrence College Sex Cult Leader Draws 60-Year Sentence Sarah Lawrence College Sex Cult Leader Draws 60-Year Sentence
Sarah Lawrence College Sex Cult Leader Draws 60-Year Sentence A man who put a group of college students through sexual, psychological, and physical abuse after moving into his daughter's dorm room in Westchester County will spend the rest of his life in prison.  Earlier Report - Sarah Lawrence Sex Cult Leader In Bronxville Found Guilty On All Charges Larry Ray, also known as Lawrence Grecco, was sentenced to 60 years in prison on Friday, Jan. 20 for leading a sex cult out of Sarah Lawrence College located near the border of Bronxville and Yonkers, according to Damian Williams, the US Attorney for the Southern District of New York. …
$31M Trip-Fall Fraud Scheme Results In Convictions For NY Attorney, Doctor $31M Trip-Fall Fraud Scheme Results In Convictions For NY Attorney, Doctor
$31M Trip-Fall Fraud Scheme Results In Convictions For NY Attorney, Doctor An attorney and doctor have been convicted of defrauding New York businesses and their insurance companies of more than $31 million through a massive trip-and-fall fraud scheme. Following a three-week trial, a jury in Manhattan just convicted George Constantine, a lawyer, and Andrew Dowd, an orthopedic surgeon, for their participation in the scheme from 2013 and 2018.  Both men live on Long Island -- the 60-year-old Constantine in Plainview, and the 67-year-old Dowd in Miller Place. The two were both found guilty of conspiracy to commit mail and wire fraud, mail fraud, and w…
14 Hudson Valley Gang Members, Associates Charged With Racketeering, Narcotics, Other Offenses 14 Hudson Valley Gang Members, Associates Charged With Racketeering, Narcotics, Other Offenses
14 Hudson Valley Gang Members, Associates Charged With Racketeering, Narcotics, Other Offenses The FBI and other law enforcement officials in the Hudson Valley raided numerous homes in a warrant sweep charging 14 members of a street gang for committing various racketeering, narcotics, and firearms offenses.  The "takedown," took place in Orange and Dutchess counties on Thursday, Dec. 1, focusing on Poughkeepsie and the city of Newburgh, said Damian Williams, the US Attorney for the Southern District of New York. An indictment charges several members of the Young Gunnaz Gang, aka “YG," with acts of violence. This includes Kashad Sampson, aka “Shoca,” a YG leader who is charged w…
10 Accused Of Distributing Crack Cocaine In Westchester 10 Accused Of Distributing Crack Cocaine In Westchester
10 Accused Of Distributing Crack Cocaine In Westchester Ten people are facing charges after investigators reported that they trafficked crack cocaine in Westchester County.  The indictment charging 10 individuals with various drug distribution and firearms charges in and around Mount Vernon was announced by Damian Williams, the United States attorney for the Southern District of New York, on Tuesday, Nov. 15. “This investigation has shut down a violent drug trafficking organization based in Mount Vernon, New York," DEA Special Agent-in Charge Frank A Tarentino III said. "Drugs and guns cause irreparable damage in our communities, and l…
Westchester Man Sentenced For Shooting Death Of 21-Year-Old Westchester Man Sentenced For Shooting Death Of 21-Year-Old
Westchester Man Sentenced For Shooting Death Of 21-Year-Old One of two suspects implicated in the fatal shooting of a 21-year-old man during a drug deal gone wrong in Westchester County will spend decades in federal prison. Yonkers resident Marcus Chambers, age 31, also known as “Chino,” “Chi D,” and “SP,” was sentenced to 20 years behind bars Monday, Oct. 3, in federal court in White Plains. Earlier Report: Westchester Man Admits To Murder Of 21-Year-Old The sentence came months after he pleaded guilty to participating in the murder of Jonathan Johnson on March 18, 2011, in White Plains. On the day of the shooting, Chambers and his co-consp…
Teen Duo Accused Of Subjecting Victims To Violent Crimes After Luring Them To Westchester Teen Duo Accused Of Subjecting Victims To Violent Crimes After Luring Them To Westchester
Teen Duo Accused Of Subjecting Victims To Violent Crimes After Luring Them To Westchester Two men have been arrested in connection with a series of alleged carjacking, robberies, and kidnappings in Westchester. Diante Fernandes, age 19, and Mark Francis, age 18, both of the Bronx, were arrested and charged on Wednesday, Sept. 28, said Damian Williams, US Attorney for the Southern District of New York. According to the allegations in the complaint, and statements made in court, between Monday, Sept. 26 and Tuesday, Sept. 27, the duo carjacked, robbed, and kidnapped multiple victims, in the Bronx and Yonkers. Once on Sept. 26 and again on Sept. 27, the two lured victims to a loca…
US Settles With 4 Parties For Release Of Toxic Mercury In Westchester County Village US Settles With 4 Parties For Release Of Toxic Mercury In Westchester County Village
US Settles With 4 Parties For Release Of Toxic Mercury In Westchester County Village Four companies will pay out nearly half a million dollars to the federal government for their role in contaminating a Westchester County neighborhood with thousands of pounds of toxic mercury. As part of a consent decree settling a civil lawsuit filed Tuesday, Sept. 13, in federal court in White Plains, the four companies admitted to delivering mercury to Port Refinery, a mercury refining business in the Village of Rye Brook. Port Refinery operated out of a two-story garage that was bordered by private homes on three sides, according to the US Attorney’s Office in the Southern District. Th…
‘Trusted Lieutenant’ Of Sarah Lawrence College Sex-Cult Leader Admits To Conspiracy ‘Trusted Lieutenant’ Of Sarah Lawrence College Sex-Cult Leader Admits To Conspiracy
‘Trusted Lieutenant’ Of Sarah Lawrence College Sex-Cult Leader Admits To Conspiracy A former Westchester County college student who fell under the spell of convicted sex-cult leader Larry Ray has pleaded guilty to conspiring to launder money for his illegal dealings. Isabella Pollok, age 31, a former student at Sarah Lawrence College, located near the border of Yonkers and Bronxville, who was described as Ray's "trusted lieutenant," pleaded guilty on Wednesday, Sept. 7 to one count related to Ray's twisted plot in Manhattan federal court. Ray, now age 62, will be sentenced in December on more than a dozen charges, including extortion, sex trafficking, and racketeering cons…
Woman Accused Of Embezzling $4M From NY Company Serving Clients In Entertainment Industry Woman Accused Of Embezzling $4M From NY Company Serving Clients In Entertainment Industry
Woman Accused Of Embezzling $4M From NY Company Serving Clients In Entertainment Industry A woman has been accused of embezzling $4 million from her New York employer and its clients to pay for, among other things, her wedding, travel, and making payments to a cosmetic surgeon. Long Island resident Carmen Miranda, age 50, of Massapequa, was charged with wire fraud, bank fraud, and aggravated identity theft, in connection with her scheme to embezzle over $4 million from her employer and its clients in Manhattan. Miranda, who is also known as “Millie Miranda,” was an account manager at a small business management firm that primarily serviced clients in the entertainment indus…
Postal Workers Charged After Fraud Evidence Discovered In Westchester Hotel, Feds Say Postal Workers Charged After Fraud Evidence Discovered In Westchester Hotel, Feds Say
Postal Workers Charged After Fraud Evidence Discovered In Westchester Hotel, Feds Say Three United States Postal Service workers were charged in a bribery and mail theft scheme after evidence was discovered at a Westchester County hotel. Oscar Abreu, age 41, of South Ozone Park, Rafael Grullon, of Manhattan, age 40, and Aldo Palomino Jr., of Long Island City, age 30, were charged in connection with their participation in a conspiracy to receive bribes and steal hundreds of pieces of mail, according to an announcement from Damian Williams, the United States Attorney for the Southern District of New York. The US Attorney's Office said the defendants are each charged with …
Duo Planned Westchester Home Invasion Robbery For Tens Of Millions In Bitcoin, Feds Say Duo Planned Westchester Home Invasion Robbery For Tens Of Millions In Bitcoin, Feds Say
Duo Planned Westchester Home Invasion Robbery For Tens Of Millions In Bitcoin, Feds Say Two men have been apprehended after federal authorities say they planned to commit a home invasion robbery for tens of millions of dollars in bitcoin in Westchester. Federal officials announced the unsealing of an Indictment in White Plains Federal Court on Friday, June 24m charging the duo with conspiracy to commit Hobbs Act robbery in May 2020 in Irvington-on-Hudson.  Dominic Pineda, age 21, of Manassas, Virginia, and Shon Morgan, also age 21, of Centreville, Virginia, were arrested on Thursday, June 23 in Virginia. From May 18, 20200 to May 24, 2020, they participated in the plan…
Nurse Practitioner From Westchester Nabbed In $10.5 Million Fraud Scheme Nurse Practitioner From Westchester Nabbed In $10.5 Million Fraud Scheme
Nurse Practitioner From Westchester Nabbed In $10.5 Million Fraud Scheme A nurse practitioner has been arrested in connection with a scheme that resulted in the fraudulent discharge of over $10.5 million worth of student loans on the basis of falsified medical certifications of permanent disabilities, federal authorities announced. Westchester County resident Catherine Seemer, age 42, of Elmsford, has been charged with the following, according to Damian Williams, the United States Attorney for the Southern District of New York: One count of wire fraud, which carries a maximum sentence of 20 years in prison;  One count of federal financial aid fraud, w…
Man Accused Of Trying To Rape Hudson Valley Middle School Student Man Accused Of Trying To Rape Hudson Valley Middle School Student
Man Accused Of Trying To Rape Hudson Valley Middle School Student A man has been charged with allegedly traveling to attempt to rape a Hudson Valley 13-year-old girl at an area hotel. Thomas Rivera, age 32, of Lauderhill, Florida, was arrested on Tuesday, June 7, for communicating online with the girl and persuading her to meet him in Dutchess county to engage in sex, said Damian Williams, the US Attorney for the Southern District of New York. According to the allegations in the complaint filed on Friday, June 3, in White Plains federal court in April the town of Poughkeepsie Police department received a report from the town of Hyde Park Police regarding …
US Sues Municipality In Westchester For Discrimination US Sues Municipality In Westchester For Discrimination
US Sues Municipality In Westchester For Discrimination The United States has filed a lawsuit against a Westchester County municipality and its fire department, alleging that they discriminated and retaliated against a female firefighter who reported that a male senior firefighter had harassed and stalked her.  The lawsuit was filed against the Town/Village of Harrison, Fire District Two of Harrison, and the Harrison Fire Department, according to an announcement on Wednesday, June 8, from Damian Williams, the United States Attorney for the Southern District of New York. Williams said the US is alleging that the town and fire department…