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Man Charged With Enticing 15-Year-Old Boy Over Internet In Westchester: Feds Man Charged With Enticing 15-Year-Old Boy Over Internet In Westchester: Feds
Man Charged With Enticing 15-Year-Old Boy Over Internet In Westchester: Feds A 40-year-old man faces at least a decade in prison for allegedly enticing a 15-year-old boy into engaging in sexual activity with him in Northern Westchester, federal officials said.  John Lord, age 40, of Sedona, Arizona, was arrested on Wednesday, Aug. 30, and charged with coercing a minor to engage in sexual activity with him in Katonah, the US Attorney's Office for Southern District of New York announced.  According to federal officials, on the day of Lord's arrest, he sent text messages to a 15-year-old boy whom he had met and communicated with on an online application askin…

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by Ben Crnic
News
Quadruple Murder Case: Former Police Officer In Mount Vernon Found Guilty Quadruple Murder Case: Former Police Officer In Mount Vernon Found Guilty
Quadruple Murder Case: Former Police Officer In Mount Vernon 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…

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by Joe Lombardi
Police & Fire
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…

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by Joe Lombardi
News
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 …

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by Kathy Reakes
News
Two Convicted Of Scheming To Kidnap, Sexually Exploit Children From Region Two Convicted Of Scheming To Kidnap, Sexually Exploit Children From Region
Two Convicted Of Scheming To Kidnap, Sexually Exploit Children From Region Two more men have been convicted in federal court of scheming to kidnap two children from the region and repeatedly smuggle them over the border into Mexico to be a part of a sexual relationship, authorities announced. Mordechay Malka, age 27, and Matitau Malka, age 30, both US citizens from Guatemala who are members of the extremist Jewish sect Lev Torah, were convicted on multiple charges following a four-week trial in White Plains federal court. Federal prosecutors said that the Malkas participated in a scheme to kidnap a 14-year-old girl and 12-year-old boy in Sullivan County from their…

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by Zak Failla
News
Details Emerge In Case Of Missing Hudson Valley Woman Found Dead Details Emerge In Case Of Missing Hudson Valley Woman Found Dead
Details Emerge In Case Of Missing Hudson Valley Woman Found Dead New details have emerged in the case of a missing New York woman found dead in North Carolina. An accused drug dealer in the Hudson Valley has been arrested for allegedly participating in a conspiracy to distribute crack cocaine and for traveling and using facilities of interstate commerce to operate a narcotics business enterprise, and murdering the woman who he believed was stealing from that business, federal authorities in New York announced. The filing of a criminal complaint in Westchester County, at White Plains Federal Court on Friday, April 22, charges Putnam County resident …

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by Joe Lombardi
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Accused Hudson Valley Drug Dealer Arrested In Connection With Murder Of One Of His Customers Accused Hudson Valley Drug Dealer Arrested In Connection With Murder Of One Of His Customers
Accused Hudson Valley Drug Dealer Arrested In Connection With Murder Of One Of His Customers Updated story: Details Emerge In Case Of Missing Hudson Valley Woman Found Dead An accused drug dealer in the Hudson Valley has been arrested for allegedly participating in a conspiracy to distribute crack cocaine and for traveling and using facilities of interstate commerce to operate a narcotics business enterprise, and murdering a customer he believed was stealing from that business, federal authorities in New York announced. The filing of a criminal complaint in Westchester County, at White Plains Federal Court on Friday, April 22, charges Putnam County resident Dwayne Pu…

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by Joe Lombardi
News
Ninth Member Of Multi-Million Dollar Luxury Stolen Car Ring Sentenced In Westchester Ninth Member Of Multi-Million Dollar Luxury Stolen Car Ring Sentenced In Westchester
Ninth Member Of Multi-Million Dollar Luxury Stolen Car Ring Sentenced In Westchester The ninth member of a multi-million dollar luxury stolen car ring that operated in parts of New York and Connecticut has been sentenced in White Plains federal court for her role in the operation. Lashaumba Randolph, age 46, of Atlanta, was sentenced to 60 months in prison for providing fake titles and other fraudulent vehicle documentation used to defraud car buyers as part of a national stolen car ring involving approximately 60 stolen luxury cars, including Ferraris, Lamborghinis, and Corvettes, worth more than $4 million. Previously, Randolph pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit wire …

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by Zak Failla
News
New Suspect From Area Nabbed In Connection To Jan. 6 Insurrection New Suspect From Area Nabbed In Connection To Jan. 6 Insurrection
New Suspect From Area Nabbed In Connection To Jan. 6 Insurrection A man arrested in the Hudson Valley over the summer for an alleged robbery is now facing charges for his alleged role in the Jan. 6 insurrection at the US Capitol in Washington, D.C. In June, Anthony Vuksanaj, a Putnam County resident, was arrested in Westchester for his role in a robbery, which led investigators to his cellphone, which was present during the Jan. 6 riot, according to court records. This week, the 52-year-old was arrested by federal officials in his Mahopac home in the town of Carmel, in advance of his appearance in White Plains federal court on Thursday, Sept. 30. Vuksana…

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by Zak Failla
News
Ex-Boyfriend Sentenced For Kidnapping Woman In Westchester Later Found Dead In Suitcase Ex-Boyfriend Sentenced For Kidnapping Woman In Westchester Later Found Dead In Suitcase
Ex-Boyfriend Sentenced For Kidnapping Woman In Westchester Later Found Dead In Suitcase The ex-boyfriend of a 24-year-old Westchester woman whose body was found dead in a suitcase in Connecticut has been sentenced to decades behind bars for his role in her 2019 kidnapping. Javier Enrique Da Silva Rojas, age 25, of Queens, pleaded guilty in White Plains federal court to kidnapping Valerie Reyes in New Rochelle and illegally transporting her to Fairfield County, where her body was found in a suitcase a week later in Greenwich. Earlier story - Shock, Sadness In Westchester After Missing Woman ID'd As Murder Victim US Attorney Audrey Strauss announced that Rojas has been sen…

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by Zak Failla
News
Mount Vernon Baseball Coach Charged With Coercion, Enticement Of Minor Mount Vernon Baseball Coach Charged With Coercion, Enticement Of Minor
Mount Vernon Baseball Coach Charged With Coercion, Enticement Of Minor A baseball coach in Westchester is facing charges for allegedly enticing and coercing a 16-year-old former player into sexual activity, federal officials announced. Robert Pope, age 30, the owner and head coach of Mount Vernon Baseball, an independent organization, was arrested following an investigation into allegations of him having improper contact with a minor. U.S. Attorney Audrey Strauss said that between Sept. 1, 2020, through April 11 this year, Pope allegedly communicated with his teen victim through his cellphone and persuaded him to meet him at a location in Westchester on multi…

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by Zak Failla
News
Disbarred Northern Westchester Attorney Sentenced For Stealing $1M From 9/11 Victim Funds Disbarred Northern Westchester Attorney Sentenced For Stealing $1M From 9/11 Victim Funds
Disbarred Northern Westchester Attorney Sentenced For Stealing $1M From 9/11 Victim Funds A disbarred attorney from Northern Westchester will spend time behind bars after he admitted to stealing approximately $1 million that was rewarded to one of his clients from the 9/11 Victim Compensation Fund. Yorktown Heights resident Gustavo Vila has been sentenced to 51 months in prison after pleading guilty in White Plains Federal Court for stealing from his client, who was a first responder who suffered life-threatening medical conditions while cleaning up the crash site at Ground Zero. The Victim Compensation Fund was created in the wake of the terror attack to provide government fund…

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by Zak Failla
News
Capitol Rioter Who Dragged Cop Down Stairs Attempted Suicide In Westchester, Reports Say Capitol Rioter Who Dragged Cop Down Stairs Attempted Suicide In Westchester, Reports Say
Capitol Rioter Who Dragged Cop Down Stairs Attempted Suicide In Westchester, Reports Say One of the Capitol rioters who dragged a police officer down the stairs is recovering at the Westchester Medical Center after attempting to commit suicide, according to reports. Colorado resident Jeffrey Sabol, who grew up in New York, allegedly was among the rioters who attacked a cop during the Jan. 6 riot before looking to flee the country to Switzerland and attempting suicide in Westchester to avoid facing prosecution for his role in the attack at the Capitol. In a video, Sabol can be seen allegedly dragging a police officer, who was later beaten by a crowd of pro-Trump supporters, down…

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by Zak Failla
News
Disbarred Lawyer From Westchester Admits To Stealing 9/11 Victim Funds Disbarred Lawyer From Westchester Admits To Stealing 9/11 Victim Funds
Disbarred Lawyer From Westchester Admits To Stealing 9/11 Victim Funds A disbarred attorney from Northern Westchester admitted to stealing approximately $1 million that was rewarded to one of his clients from the 9/11 Victim Compensation Fund. Yorktown Heights resident Gustavo Vila pleaded guilty in White Plains Federal Court for stealing from his client, who was a first responder who suffered life-threatening medical conditions while cleaning up the crash site at Ground Zero. The Victim Compensation Fund was created in the wake of the terror attack to provide government funds to compensate anyone who was harmed or killed as a result of the attacks. It ran fr…

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by Zak Failla
News
Former Town Justice In Westchester Sentenced For Tax Evasion Former Town Justice In Westchester Sentenced For Tax Evasion
Former Town Justice In Westchester Sentenced For Tax Evasion A former town justice in Northern Westchester will spend time behind bars after admitting to a decade-long tax evasion scheme. Former Lewisboro Town Justice Marc Seedorf, a Carmel attorney, was sentenced in White Plains Federal Court to six months in prison following his guilty plea to tax evasion last December. Acting U.S. Attorney Audrey Strauss said that between 2009 through October 2019, Seedorf was a Town Justice for the Town of Lewisboro, and an Administrative Law Judge for Westchester County.  He also received income from the private practice of law.  Strauss said tha…

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by Zak Failla
News
Disbarred Westchester Lawyer Charged For Stealing 9/11 Victim Compensation Disbarred Westchester Lawyer Charged For Stealing 9/11 Victim Compensation
Disbarred Westchester Lawyer Charged For Stealing 9/11 Victim Compensation A disbarred attorney from Northern Westchester has been accused of stealing approximately $1 million that was rewarded to one of his clients from the 9/11 Victim Compensation Fund. Yorktown Heights resident Gustavo Vila was charged in White Plains Federal Court for allegedly stealing from his client, who was a first responder who suffered life-threatening medical conditions while cleaning up the crash site at Ground Zero. The Victim Compensation Fund was created in the wake of the terror attack to provide government funds to compensate anyone who was harmed or killed as a result of the atta…

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by Zak Failla
News
Seven From Area Admit To Scam Stealing $14M Intended For Schools Seven From Area Admit To Scam Stealing $14M Intended For Schools
Seven From Area Admit To Scam Stealing $14M Intended For Schools Seven area residents charged in a scheme to steal $14 million from the federal “E-Rate” program designed to provide computer technology to students at underprivileged schools have pleaded guilty. Peretz Klein and Susan Klein, both of Spring Valley; and Simon Goldbrenner, Moshe Schwartz, Ben Klein, Sholem Steinberg, and Aron Melber, all of Monsey, pleaded guilty in White Plains Federal Court to one count of conspiracy to commit wire fraud on Wednesday, Feb. 12, said U.S  Attorney for the Southern District of New York Geoffrey S. Berman. “Each of these defendants has now admitted hi…

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by Kathy Reakes
News
Guards Threatened Area Cop Charged In Four Homicides About Revealing Epstein Info, Lawyer Says Guards Threatened Area Cop Charged In Four Homicides About Revealing Epstein Info, Lawyer Says
Guards Threatened Area Cop Charged In Four Homicides About Revealing Epstein Info, Lawyer Says Former Hudson Valley police officer Nicholas Tartaglione, who is facing the death penalty after being implicated in a quadruple homicide, is alleging that guards have been threatening him since the death of billionaire financier Jeffrey Epstein, his former cellmate, according to his attornies. The lawyers for Tartaglione, who briefly shared a cell with Epstein at the Metropolitan Correctional Center (MCC) in Manhattan, is claiming that top guards at the prison have told him to “shut up,” “stop talking” and “stop complaining,” as questions swirled about how the accused sex trafficker was able…

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by Zak Failla
News
Epstein Reportedly Said Cellmate, Ex-Mount Vernon Cop, 'Roughed Him Up' Epstein Reportedly Said Cellmate, Ex-Mount Vernon Cop, 'Roughed Him Up'
Epstein Reportedly Said Cellmate, Ex-Mount Vernon Cop, 'Roughed Him Up' Billionaire financier and accused sex trafficker Jeffrey Epstein alleged that a former police officer from the area who is behind bars after being charged in a quadruple homicide “roughed him up” before he died, according to a New York Post report. Epstein was found dead in his cell on Saturday, Aug. 10, despite being on a "special observation" watch at the Metropolitan Correctional Center (MCC) in Manhattan. Epstein's special observation required frequent checks by guards and a cellmate at all times, conditions which reportedly not followed. According to an autopsy, Epstein died from a bro…

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by Zak Failla
News
Felon From Area Charged With Transporting Minor For Criminal Sexual Activity Felon From Area Charged With Transporting Minor For Criminal Sexual Activity
Felon From Area Charged With Transporting Minor For Criminal Sexual Activity A Hudson Valley man who was previously convicted of raping a child is facing life behind bars for allegedly transporting a minor from Orange County to West Virginia with his eyes on engaging in sexual activities, the U.S. Attorney’s Office announced. Eduardo Talentino, 54, of Monroe, who was convicted of rape in 1997, has been charged with transporting a minor with the intent to engage in criminal sexual activity and being a felon in possession of a firearm, U.S. Attorney Geoffrey Berman announced this week. Talentino was arrested on Monday, July 29, and arraigned in White Plains federal co…

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by Zak Failla
News
Ex-Mount Vernon Cop Accused Of Killing Four Questioned After Epstein Injury Ex-Mount Vernon Cop Accused Of Killing Four Questioned After Epstein Injury
Ex-Mount Vernon Cop Accused Of Killing Four Questioned After Epstein Injury A former police officer in the area who is behind bars for his alleged role in a quadruple homicide may have been involved in a possible assault of billionaire financier and accused sex trafficker Jeffrey Epstein, according to NBC 4 New York. Epstein, who is awaiting trial on sex trafficking charges, was found earlier this week semi-conscious with marks on his neck while he was being held in the Metropolitan Correctional Center (MCC) in Manhattan, though “details remain murky.” Investigators are reportedly looking into the possibility that Epstein attempted to hang himself, or that it migh…

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by Zak Failla
News
Uber Driver Sentenced For Assaulting, Kidnapping Westchester Woman Uber Driver Sentenced For Assaulting, Kidnapping Westchester Woman
Uber Driver Sentenced For Assaulting, Kidnapping Westchester Woman A 25-year-old Uber driver has been sentenced after admitting to picking up a Westchester woman, kidnapping her and sexually assaulting her in his car before dropping her on the side of I-95 in Connecticut. Harbir Parmar, of Howard Beach in Queens, has been sentenced to three years in prison, followed by three years of supervised release after pleading guilty in White Plains federal court to kidnapping and wire fraud following his arrest on Oct. 16 last year. In addition to his prison term, Parmar has been ordered to pay $3,642 in restitution, U.S. Attorney Geoffrey Berman announced. Parmar…

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by Zak Failla
News
Westchester Man Sentenced For Sex Trafficking Underage Girls In NY, CT Westchester Man Sentenced For Sex Trafficking Underage Girls In NY, CT
Westchester Man Sentenced For Sex Trafficking Underage Girls In NY, CT A Northern Westchester man will spend close to decades in prison for sex trafficking of minors in New York and Connecticut and production of child pornography. Victor Gonzalez, 41, of Millwood was sentenced to 19 1/2 years in prison in White Plains Federal Court on Friday, May 3 after pleading guilty on Jan. 24. In addition to the prison term, Gonzalez was sentenced to 10 years of supervised release and restitution in an amount to be determined by the court at a later date. "Victor Gonzalez admitted to the reprehensible crimes of trafficking underage girls for his commercia…

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by Joe Lombardi
News
New Indictment Served To Ex-Cop In Mount Vernon Accused Of Killing Four New Indictment Served To Ex-Cop In Mount Vernon Accused Of Killing Four
New Indictment Served To Ex-Cop In Mount Vernon Accused Of Killing Four A new indictment has been filed against a former police officer in three Westchester municipalities and one in Dutchess who may face the death penalty after allegedly being involved in the murders of four men in Orange County in 2016. Late in 2016, Nicholas Tartaglione, a former Briarcliff Manor police officer, was charged in a five-count indictment for his participation in a drug conspiracy to distribute more than five kilograms of cocaine and for the murders of four men, all of whom lived in Middletown. This week, a new indictment was filed against Tartaglione, charging him with four cou…

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by Zak Failla
News
Report: Ex-Mount Vernon Cop May Face Death Penalty For Quadruple Murder Report: Ex-Mount Vernon Cop May Face Death Penalty For Quadruple Murder
Report: Ex-Mount Vernon Cop May Face Death Penalty For Quadruple Murder Federal prosecutors will reportedly seek the death penalty against Nicholas Tartaglione, a former police officer in the lower Hudson Valley who is accused of murdered four men in Orange County in 2016. Late in 2016, Tartaglione, a former Briarcliff Manor police officer, was charged in a five-count indictment for his participation in a drug conspiracy to distribute more than five kilograms of cocaine and for the murders of four men, all of whom lived in Middletown. Prosecutors will be seeking the death penalty when his case heads to trial, according to a lohud report. Tartaglione’s defense t…

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by Zak Failla
News
Mount Vernon Man Charged With Four Armed Carjackings Mount Vernon Man Charged With Four Armed Carjackings
Mount Vernon Man Charged With Four Armed Carjackings A 32-year-old man is facing more than a decade behind bars after allegedly terrorizing four cab drivers with a gun on two separate nights. Samir Sullivan of Mount Vernon has been charged with committing four armed carjackings on cabs in Mount Vernon and the Bronx, U.S. Attorney Geoffrey Berman announced on Friday. The charges come following complaints from drivers in the early morning hours of Sunday, Nov. 25 and Thursday, Nov. 29. Berman said that Sullivan was arrested on Tuesday, Dec. 4 and appeared in White Plains federal court. Sullivan has been charged with four counts of carjacki…

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by Zak Failla
News
Four Charged In White Plains Federal Court With Defrauding Users Of Dating Website Four Charged In White Plains Federal Court With Defrauding Users Of Dating Website
Four Charged In White Plains Federal Court With Defrauding Users Of Dating Website Four suspects are facing federal charges for allegedly engaging in a scheme to dupe their victims into believing that they had sent sexually explicit images to underage children and faced criminal prosecution if they did not pay to avoid involvement by law enforcement.  U.S. Attorney Geoffrey Berman announced that four suspects from South Carolina have been charged in White Plains federal court with participating in a scheme to defraud users of a dating website. Beginning in August last year, Homeland Security Investigations began investigating several people who reported they had…

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by Zak Failla
News
Ex-Comptroller Sentenced In White Plains For Embezzling $2.5 Million Ex-Comptroller Sentenced In White Plains For Embezzling $2.5 Million
Ex-Comptroller Sentenced In White Plains For Embezzling $2.5 Million The former comptroller of a pair of prominent Hudson Valley companies is going to spend some time behind bars after stealing millions of dollars from his employer to fund gambling and a lush lifestyle. Mark Cina, the former comptroller of two Poughkeepsie companies, was sentenced to 41 months in prison for mail fraud and tax evasion in White Plains Federal Court. He pleaded guilty to the charges in April. Cina, 56, must also pay $3,385,665 in restitution and forfeit a total of $2,254,820. In 2008, Cina was hired by an entrepreneur to act as a part-time bookkeeper for his company. Two years …

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by Zak Failla
News
Reputed Mobster Takes Plea Deal In Attempted Murder Plot Involving Westchester Man Reputed Mobster Takes Plea Deal In Attempted Murder Plot Involving Westchester Man
Reputed Mobster Takes Plea Deal In Attempted Murder Plot Involving Westchester Man A reputed member of the Lucchese crime family pleaded guilty in White Plains Federal Court on Friday to working with an associate from Westchester to conspire and attempt to commit murder.In May 2017, 34-year-old Vincent Bruno and 18 other members of La Cosa Nostra were arrested and charged in a nine-count Indictment, for their involvement in offenses including racketeering, murder, attempted murder, narcotics trafficking, and gun crimes. Seven of the 19 are Westchester residents. Since the unsealing of the Indictment, Bruno and nine other defendants have pled guilty, and have been or will b…

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by Daily Voice
News
Third Person Arrested In Connection With 'Uptown' Street Gang Murder Third Person Arrested In Connection With 'Uptown' Street Gang Murder
Third Person Arrested In Connection With 'Uptown' Street Gang Murder Another Dutchess County gang member is facing life in prison for the 2012 murder of Daquelle LeBlanc in Poughkeepsie. Davonte “Vont” Hamilton, an alleged member of the “Uptown” street gang, was arrested and is facing various charges, including murder. Hamilton is the 32nd member of the “Uptown” and “Downtown” street gangs in Poughkeepsie to be charged with various offenses for their activities in the area. Hamilton is the third person charged with murder in aid of racketeering activity and weapons charges in relation to the 2012 murder. He was arraigned in White Plains federal court on Mond…

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by Zak Failla
News
Westchester Mom Sentenced For Cancer Scam Westchester Mom Sentenced For Cancer Scam
Westchester Mom Sentenced For Cancer Scam The woman who admitted to defrauding donors out of more than $50,000 by misrepresenting the fact that she had terminal cancer has been sentenced. Vedoutie Hoobraj of Ardsley - also known as Shivonie Deokaran - was sentenced on Friday in White Plains Federal Court to two years in federal prison. She faced up to 20 years behind bars. Hoobraj pleaded guilty to one count of wire fraud earlier this year following her arrest in Orlando. She admitted to engaging in an elaborate scheme to solicit donations for two years in Westchester by representing that she had terminal cancer and required money …

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by Zak Failla