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Mimi Rocah

Man Indicted For Murder In Hudson Valley For Fatal Shooting, Robbery Man Indicted For Murder In Hudson Valley For Fatal Shooting, Robbery
Man Indicted For Murder In Hudson Valley For Fatal Shooting, Robbery A 52-year-old suspect has been indicted and returned to New York on murder charges for allegedly robbing and fatally shooting a man in Westchester, the District Attorney’s Office announced. Virginia resident Percell Ross Blakely, of Covington, Virginia, is in custody after allegedly stealing property and shooting 62-year-old Andres Valenzuela on Main Street in New Rochelle last year. Specifically, Blakely was indicted by a Westchester County grand jury of: First-degree murder; Two counts of second-degree murder; Two counts of robbery; Criminal possession of a weapon. Westchester County D…
Hudson Valley Man Sentenced For Raping, Sexually Abusing Minor, DA Says Hudson Valley Man Sentenced For Raping, Sexually Abusing Minor, DA Says
Hudson Valley Man Sentenced For Raping, Sexually Abusing Minor, DA Says A 43-year-old Westchester man will spend decades behind bars after being sentenced for raping and sexually abusing a minor, the District Attorney’s Office announced. New Rochelle resident Jamaal Jackson was sentenced to 25 years in state prison, followed by 20 years of post-release supervision, according to Westchester DA Mimi Rocah. Jackson was convicted by a jury in 2018 of abusing a 12-year-old on these charges: First-degree sexual abuse; First-degree rape; Endangering the welfare of a child. Jackson was arrested on Sept. 11, 2020 following an investigation that was assisted by the NY…
Woman Indicted For Assaulting Metro-North Train Conductor With Pumpkin Woman Indicted For Assaulting Metro-North Train Conductor With Pumpkin
Woman Indicted For Assaulting Metro-North Train Conductor With Pumpkin A 21-year-old woman has been indicted for allegedly assaulting a Metro-North conductor with a pumpkin after being asked for a ticket, the Westchester County District Attorney announced. Bronx resident Alexis Adams was riding the train shortly after 6 p.m. on Oct. 11, 2021, when she was confronted by a conductor asking her to produce a ticket, or else leave at the next stop. It is alleged that Adams proceeded to hit the conductor in the face with a pumpkin and then punched her in the face and head multiple times. The conductor was transported to a local hospital where she received medical t…
Teen Indicted For Fatal Stabbing Of Cheerleading Captain In Hudson Valley Teen Indicted For Fatal Stabbing Of Cheerleading Captain In Hudson Valley
Teen Indicted For Fatal Stabbing Of Cheerleading Captain In Hudson Valley A teen has been indicted for manslaughter and other charges after allegedly killing a popular cheerleading captain and injuring another in Westchester during a parade celebrating their high school basketball team’s state title. Westchester County District Attorney Mimi Rocah announced on Tuesday, May 31 that a 15-year-old Mount Vernon resident has been indicted in connection to the fatal stabbing of Kayla Green in April. Earlier story - Girl Killed In Stabbing During Mount Vernon Parade Was Cheerleading Captain Officials said that shortly before 4 p.m. on Friday, April 8 in Mount Vernon, …
Ex-Director Indicted For Stealing $700K From Hudson Valley Company, DA Says Ex-Director Indicted For Stealing $700K From Hudson Valley Company, DA Says
Ex-Director Indicted For Stealing $700K From Hudson Valley Company, DA Says The former financial director of a Hudson Valley non-profit has been indicted after allegedly stealing more than $700,000 from the organization on behalf of herself and her husband, authorities announced. Bronx resident Ingrid Aquino, age 31, the former Director of Finance of Hudson Valley Community Services in Northern Westchester, has been indicted for allegedly stealing the funds between 2017 and 2021. Specifically, Aquino was indicted by a Westchester County grand jury for second-degree grand larceny, a felony. She was arraigned on Tuesday, May 17. Westchester County District Attorney …
Man Sentenced For Violent Armed Home Invasion In Hudson Valley Man Sentenced For Violent Armed Home Invasion In Hudson Valley
Man Sentenced For Violent Armed Home Invasion In Hudson Valley A 58-year-old “persistent violent felony offender” has been sentenced after pleading guilty to his role in a violent armed home invasion in Westchester that played out like a scene in a movie, the county District Attorney announced. Bronx resident Rick Scocozza pleaded guilty in August 2021 to second-degree attempted burglary after holding a family at gunpoint while attempting to burglarize their Pelham Manor home in 2019. On Friday, May 6, Westchester County District Attorney Mimi Rocah announced that Scocozza has been sentenced as a persistent violent felony offender to a term of&nbs…
Hudson Valley Man Sentenced For Armed Robbery, Stabbing, DA Announces Hudson Valley Man Sentenced For Armed Robbery, Stabbing, DA Announces
Hudson Valley Man Sentenced For Armed Robbery, Stabbing, DA Announces A Westchester man will spend more than a decade in prison after being sentenced for an armed robbery and stabbing, according to the District Attorney. Westchester County District Attorney Mimi Rocah announced that White Plains resident Price Rogers, age 51, has been sentenced to 12 years in state prison, followed by five years of post-release supervision after being convicted at trial for his role in the 2020 stabbing. Specifically, Rogers was found guilty of: First-degree robbery; Two counts of second-degree assault; Grand larceny; Criminal possession of a weapon. 
Each of the charges w…
Man Sentenced For Wrong-Way DWI Crash That Killed A Hudson Valley Mom, 32 Man Sentenced For Wrong-Way DWI Crash That Killed A Hudson Valley Mom, 32
Man Sentenced For Wrong-Way DWI Crash That Killed A Hudson Valley Mom, 32 A Northern Westchester man will spend years in prison after admitting to drinking, driving, and killing a woman in a head-on crash. Yorktown resident Mark Cope was sentenced to a term of between three and nine years in state prison for causing a wrong-way, head-on collision he caused while intoxicated in December 2020 that resulted in the death of an Ossining mother. Cope, age 41, was sentenced on Friday, April 15 after pleading guilty to: Three counts of aggravated vehicular homicide; Second-degree manslaughter; Aggravated vehicular assault; Vehicular assault; Third-degree assault; Aggra…
Hudson Valley Murder Suspect Arraigned After Being Extricated From NC Hudson Valley Murder Suspect Arraigned After Being Extricated From NC
Hudson Valley Murder Suspect Arraigned After Being Extricated From NC A murder suspect in Westchester has been extradited back to the area after being apprehended from out-of-state nearly two years after he went on the run. In Yonkers, law enforcement officials announced that Jerome Wilson, age 28, was apprehended in Charlotte, North Carolina following his role in the August 2020 shooting of Chazz Mitchell on Oak Street. Earlier story - Police Searching For Identified Suspect One Year After Fatal Westchester Shooting Jerome WilsonYonkers Police Department On Thursday, April 7, Westchester County District Attorney Mimi Rocah announced that Wilson has been…
Gang Member From Hudson Valley Sentenced For Conspiracy To Murder Witness Gang Member From Hudson Valley Sentenced For Conspiracy To Murder Witness
Gang Member From Hudson Valley Sentenced For Conspiracy To Murder Witness The last of five members of the G-Shine Bloods gang members and associates have been sentenced for his role in a conspiracy to murder an eyewitness to a shooting, Westchester County District Attorney Mimi Rocah announced. Between August 2018 and March 2019, Rocah said that gang members conspired to silence a witness who set to testify against them in regards to a shooting outside the Garden Bar & Grill in Mount Vernon in 2016. Those involved in the conspiracy:  Jason Garcia, age 38, of Mount Vernon; Matthew Brown, age 37, of Wilmington, Delaware; Cassaundra Dunham, age 45, of Yon…
Two Violent Felony Offenders From Hudson Valley Sentenced For Robberies Two Violent Felony Offenders From Hudson Valley Sentenced For Robberies
Two Violent Felony Offenders From Hudson Valley Sentenced For Robberies Two “violent felony offenders” from Westchester are facing charges for their roles in an armed purse-snatching, the District Attorney’s Office announced. Mount Vernon residents Marcus White, age 29, and Brian Rivas, age 28, have both been sentenced to time in state prison in connection to a 2020 robbery. Westchester District Attorney Mimi Rocah said White, a "persistent violent felony offender," was sentenced to 16 years to life in state prison on three counts of second-degree robbery after being convicted at trial. Rivas, a "predicate violent felony offender," pleaded guilty to attempted …
Thousands Raised For Woman Assaulted During Hate Crime In Hudson Valley Thousands Raised For Woman Assaulted During Hate Crime In Hudson Valley
Thousands Raised For Woman Assaulted During Hate Crime In Hudson Valley More than $40,000 has been raised in support of an Asian woman who was assaulted and struck more than 100 times during a hate crime committed in an apartment building in Westchester County. Original story - Yonkers Man Charged With Hate Crimes After Attacking Woman, Police Say The incident happened shortly after 6 p.m. on Friday, March 11 in Yonkers. Tammel Esco, age 42, was charged with a hate crime after assaulting the 67-year-old woman which led to his arrest on March 11, Westchester County District Attorney Mimi Rocah announced on Tuesday, March 15. Related story - Officials Express…
Man Sentenced For DWI Crash That Pinned Mother, Infant Under Car In Area Man Sentenced For DWI Crash That Pinned Mother, Infant Under Car In Area
Man Sentenced For DWI Crash That Pinned Mother, Infant Under Car In Area A 43-year-old man will spend years behind bars after admitting to drinking, doing drugs, driving, crashing through a Westchester storefront, and pinning a mother and her infant under his vehicle. Yonkers resident David Poncurak pleaded guilty in November 2021 to multiple charges after striking a mother and child with his car after crashing through the front window of an area barbershop earlier this year. Earlier story - Man Charged With DWI After Westchester Barbershop Crash Injures Mom, Baby Specifically, Poncurak pleaded guilty to: Aggravated vehicular assault; Driving while intoxicate…
Area Man Sentenced For Fatal Shooting Of Roommate Area Man Sentenced For Fatal Shooting Of Roommate
Area Man Sentenced For Fatal Shooting Of Roommate A Westchester man will spend more than a decade behind bars after being sentenced for fatally shooting his roommate during an argument, the District Attorney’s Office announced. Mount Vernon resident Akeem Palmer, age 25, was sentenced to 15 years in state prison, followed by five years of post-release supervision after pleading guilty to first-degree manslaughter, a violent felony, in connection to the 2020 shooting of his roommate. Original story - Westchester Man Charged With Murder For Fatal Shooting Westchester County District Attorney Mimi Rocah said that on April 26, 2020, Palm…
Anti-Abortion Activists In Area Guilty Of Trespassing At All Women's Center Anti-Abortion Activists In Area Guilty Of Trespassing At All Women's Center
Anti-Abortion Activists In Area Guilty Of Trespassing At All Women's Center Three anti-abortion activists were found guilty of criminally trespassing at All Women’s Medical in Westchester to prevent patients from receiving access to medical care, the District Attorney’s Office announced. A jury found Matthew Connelly, age 40, William Goodman, age 52, and Christopher Moscinski, age 52, guilty following a three-day trial of unlawfully remaining at the White Plains medical facility to discourage women from gaining necessary medical treatment and procedures. Specifically, the three were found guilty on Thursday, March 17 of third-degree criminal trespass, a misdemeanor…
Gang Member Sentenced For Fatal Shooting Of Teen Basketball Star In Area Gang Member Sentenced For Fatal Shooting Of Teen Basketball Star In Area
Gang Member Sentenced For Fatal Shooting Of Teen Basketball Star In Area The fourth member of a Westchester street gang has been sentenced for his role in the fatal shooting of a promising teenage basketball standout. Sincere Savoy, age 25, a member of the Mount Vernon Goonies street gang, has been sentenced to 22 years in prison for his participation in the 2016 murder of Shamoya McKenzie on New Year’s Eve in 2016 in Westchester. On Dec. 31, 2016, Savoy and three other suspects who are alleged members of the Goonies gang attempted to murder a rival gang member in broad daylight by firing multiple bullets at him near the intersection of Tecumseh Avenue and Thir…
Officials Express Outrage After Westchester Man Hit Asian Woman 125 Times In Brutal Assault Officials Express Outrage After Westchester Man Hit Asian Woman 125 Times In Brutal Assault
Officials Express Outrage After Westchester Man Hit Asian Woman 125 Times In Brutal Assault Top elected officials in the Hudson Valley are condemning the actions of a man who was caught on camera brutally attacking an Asian woman in a Westchester apartment building. Yonkers resident Tammel Esco, age 42, was charged with a hate crime after assaulting a 67-year-old Asian woman following his arrest on Friday, March 11, Westchester County District Attorney Mimi Rocah announced. Esco was charged on Saturday, March 12 with second-degree attempted murder and assault. Further investigation led to additional charges on Monday, March 14 in Yonkers Criminal Court that includes attempted murd…
Area Man Sentenced For Setting His Ex-Girlfriend's Apartment On Fire Twice Area Man Sentenced For Setting His Ex-Girlfriend's Apartment On Fire Twice
Area Man Sentenced For Setting His Ex-Girlfriend's Apartment On Fire Twice A persistent violent felony offender from Westchester may spend the rest of his life in prison after being sentenced to terrorizing his ex-girlfriend in the summer of 2020, the District Attorney announced. Mount Vernon resident Tony Clark, age 39, was sentenced to a term of 16 years to life in prison for starting two separate fires at his former partner’s apartment on Franklin Avenue, during a standoff, causing the entire building to become uninhabitable. Westchester County District Attorney Mimi Rocah said that Clark previously pleaded guilty to second-degree attempted arson, a violent fel…
Teen Indicted For Murder Of 16-Year-Old In Area, DA Announces Teen Indicted For Murder Of 16-Year-Old In Area, DA Announces
Teen Indicted For Murder Of 16-Year-Old In Area, DA Announces A Hudson Valley teenager faces life in prison after being indicted on murder and weapons charges after gunning down a 16-year-old in broad daylight, the District Attorney’s Office announced. New Rochelle resident Tommy Rivera, age 16, was indicted by a Westchester County grand jury for the fatal shooting of Julian Oliveros, also age 16, on Tuesday, Jan. 25. Specifically, Rivera was charged with second-degree murder and two counts of criminal possession of a weapon at his arraignment on Wednesday, Feb. 16. Original story - ID Released For 16-Year-Old Gunned Down In New Rochelle It is alle…
COVID-19: Hudson Valley Mom, Kids Accused Of Using Fake Vax Cards To Work COVID-19: Hudson Valley Mom, Kids Accused Of Using Fake Vax Cards To Work
Covid-19: Hudson Valley Mom, Kids Accused Of Using Fake Vax Cards To Work A Dutchess County mother and her two daughters are facing charges for allegedly using fraudulent COVID-19 vaccination cards to maintain and obtain employment at a Northern Westchester nursing home, the District Attorney announced. Poughkeepsie residents Antoinette Clarke, age 48, Dzjara Clarke, age 27, and Jajvia Clarke, age 22, were arraigned on Monday, Jan. 31 in Cortlandt Town Court, where they were charged with criminal possession of a forged instrument, a felony, for attempting to dupe a Croton-on-Hudson nursing home in Northern Westchester. Westchester County District Attorney Mimi Ro…
Hudson Valley Woman Sentenced For Attempting To Drown Her 2-Year-Old Son Hudson Valley Woman Sentenced For Attempting To Drown Her 2-Year-Old Son
Hudson Valley Woman Sentenced For Attempting To Drown Her 2-Year-Old Son A mother in Westchester has been sentenced after admitting to the attempted murder of a child when she attempted to drown her infant son at a homeless shelter, the District Attorney’s Office announced. White Plains resident La’Quanaya Ward, age 30, pleaded guilty in October 2021 to second-degree attempted murder after admitting to attempting to drown her 2-year-old son at the Coachman Family Center in White Plains. This week she was sentenced to seven-and-a-half years in prison on the guilty plea. She had faced a maximum term of 25 years in state prison. Westchester County District Attorne…
Area Teacher Charged With Sharing Illicit Photos, Texts With Teen Area Teacher Charged With Sharing Illicit Photos, Texts With Teen
Area Teacher Charged With Sharing Illicit Photos, Texts With Teen A former high school teacher in the Hudson Valley is facing charges for allegedly sharing illicit photos and conversations with a teenager over social media, the district attorney’s office announced. On Monday, Jan. 24, Westchester County District Attorney Mimi Rocah announced that former Salesian High School teacher Mariela Barajas, age 22, of Mount Vernon, was arraigned for allegedly disseminating indecent material to a 15-year-old.  Specifically, Barajas was charged in Mount Vernon City Court with one count of disseminating indecent material to minors, a felony, following …
DA: 'Missed Opportunities' Contributed In Decades-long Delay In Durst Case DA: 'Missed Opportunities' Contributed In Decades-long Delay In Durst Case
DA: 'Missed Opportunities' Contributed In Decades-long Delay In Durst Case Missed opportunities by law enforcement decades ago led to the delays that allowed nationally-known real estate tycoon Robert Durst to get away with his wife’s disappearance 40 years ago, according to the District Attorney's Office. Westchester District Attorney Mimi Rocah released the findings of her office’s investigation into the disappearance of Kathleen Durst, whose body has never been found after she went missing out of Northern Westchester County in 1982, in the hamlet of South Salem in the Town of Lewisboro. Original story - Criminal Complaint Against Robert Durst For Wife's 1…
Area Man Sentenced To Prison For Sexually Motivated Home Invasion Area Man Sentenced To Prison For Sexually Motivated Home Invasion
Area Man Sentenced To Prison For Sexually Motivated Home Invasion A felony offender from Westchester who exposed himself to a woman and demanded she perform a sexual act on him will spend time in prison, the District Attorney announced. White Plains resident Derrick Toone, age 35, was sentenced to 10 years in prison, followed by 10 years of post-release supervision after pleading guilty to violently forcing himself onto a woman in her White Plains residence. Specifically, Toone pleaded guilty to burglary as a sexually motivated felony and attempted criminal sexual act, both felonies. Westchester County District Attorney Mimi Rocah said that Toone, a seco…
COVID-19: College Teacher In Hudson Valley Charged For Fake Vaccine Card COVID-19: College Teacher In Hudson Valley Charged For Fake Vaccine Card
Covid-19: College Teacher In Hudson Valley Charged For Fake Vaccine Card A community college teacher in the Hudson Valley is facing charges after being busted for a fraudulent COVID-19 vaccination card, the District Attorney announced. In Westchester, Mount Vernon resident Sonya Tarter Wilson, age 50, a former Westchester County Community College assistant teacher was arraigned after allegedly altering a COVID-19 Vaccination Record Card to obtain a full-time position at the school. Westchester County District Attorney Mimi Rocah said that at approximately 6 a.m. on Tuesday, Nov. 9, Wilson submitted a copy of a forged COVID-19 Vaccination Record Card that include…
Businessman, Accomplice From Area Sentenced For 'Scan And Skip' Scheme Businessman, Accomplice From Area Sentenced For 'Scan And Skip' Scheme
Businessman, Accomplice From Area Sentenced For 'Scan And Skip' Scheme A Northern Westchester businessman and former public official has been sentenced for running a "scan and skip" scheme with an accomplice that net them nearly $15,000 worth of merchandise from Home Depot, authorities announced. Eric DiBartolo, age 60, of Yorktown, and Cortlandt Manor resident Tyrone Bass, age 59, will avoid time behind bars after pleading guilty to misdemeanor counts of criminal possession of stolen property. Westchester County District Attorney Mimi Rocah announced on Thursday, Dec. 16 that the two were each sentenced to a one-year conditional discharge, 50 hours of co…
Area Woman Indicted for Drunk Driving Crash that Killed Two Area Woman Indicted for Drunk Driving Crash that Killed Two
Area Woman Indicted for Drunk Driving Crash that Killed Two A 22-year-old woman in Westchester has been indicted on multiple felony charges for allegedly drinking, driving recklessly, crashing, and killing two passengers, the District Attorney announced. Pelham resident Bethzy Higueros was indicted by a Westchester County Grand Jury on a 12-count indictment for killing two from New Rochelle in a fiery crash earlier this year. Specifically, Higueros was charged with two counts each of: Aggravated vehicular homicide; Vehicular manslaughter; Manslaughter; Criminally negligent homicide; Driving while intoxicated. Higueros was also charged with reckl…
Area Attorney Sentenced For Drunk Driving Crash That Killed 22-Year-Old Area Attorney Sentenced For Drunk Driving Crash That Killed 22-Year-Old
Area Attorney Sentenced For Drunk Driving Crash That Killed 22-Year-Old A criminal defense attorney will spend time behind bars after admitting to driving drunk in Northern Westchester and crashing head-on into a vehicle, killing a 22-year-old man, authorities announced. Robert Schuster, age 53, of Bedford, has been sentenced to a term of between two and six years in state prison after pleading guilty to aggravated vehicular homicide for his role in the fatal crash that took the life of Mount Kisco resident Diego Trejo in December 2019. The Westchester DA’s Office had requested that the court impose a sentence of 5 to 15 years in state prison Westchester Count…
Area Man Sentenced For Sexual Abuse, Fondling Himself In Front Of Woman Area Man Sentenced For Sexual Abuse, Fondling Himself In Front Of Woman
Area Man Sentenced For Sexual Abuse, Fondling Himself In Front Of Woman A 38-year-old man who sexually abused a woman after tricking his way into her Westchester apartment and later fondled himself outside the building was sentenced after being found guilty following a one-week trial, authorities announced. Folarin Soluade, of Yonkers, was found guilty of burglary as a sexually motivated felony and public lewdness after duping his victim into allowing him into her Nepperhan Avenue apartment in Yonkers, fleeing, and later being caught fondling himself outside the scene in the parking lot of the building. On Friday, Dec. 10, Soluade was sentenced to 12 years in s…
Feds Launch Investigation Into Area Police Department Feds Launch Investigation Into Area Police Department
Feds Launch Investigation Into Area Police Department Federal investigators have launched a probe into a Hudson Valley police department to determine whether or not officers engaged in a pattern of discriminatory policing. US Attorney Damian Williams announced that in Westchester, the Justice Department has opened a pattern or practice investigation into the Mount Vernon Police Department. According to Williams, the investigation will assess the department’s use of force, strip and body cavity searches, and how it handles evidence. The investigation will include a comprehensive review of Mount Vernon Police Department’s systems of accountabil…
Area Man Sentenced For Murdering Drug Dealer Area Man Sentenced For Murdering Drug Dealer
Area Man Sentenced For Murdering Drug Dealer A 22-year-old Northern Westchester man could spend the rest of his life behind bars after being sentenced for murdering a man during a drug deal. Following a three-week trial earlier this year, a jury found Peekskill resident Michael Jenkins guilty of multiple felony charges for the fatal shooting of Emmanuel Jordan in May 2020. Westchester County District Attorney Mimi Rocah said that Jenkins was found guilty by the jury of: Murder; Manslaughter; Two counts of robbery; Criminal possession of a weapon. On Wednesday, Nov. 24, Rocah announced that Jenkins has been sentenced to 25 years to l…