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FBI

$1.7M Fraud Scheme: Hudson Valley Daughter, Mom Who Worked For Police Sentenced $1.7M Fraud Scheme: Hudson Valley Daughter, Mom Who Worked For Police Sentenced
$1.7M Fraud Scheme: Hudson Valley Daughter, Mom Who Worked For Police Sentenced A mother-daughter duo has been sentenced to prison for defrauding the government of approximately $1.7 million.  Westchester County residents Alicia Ayers and her mother, Andrea Ayers, both of Mount Vernon, were found guilty of submitting more than 300 fraudulent applications for US Small Business Administration Economic Injury Disaster Loans.  Andrea Ayers was a former Code Enforcement Officer for the City of Mount Vernon Police Department. In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, Congress expanded the SBA’s Economic Injury Disaster Loan (EIDL) Program to provide low-interest …
Man Captures Images Of Young Girls With Hidden Cameras At Hudson Valley Park: Feds Man Captures Images Of Young Girls With Hidden Cameras At Hudson Valley Park: Feds
Man Captures Images Of Young Girls With Hidden Cameras At Hudson Valley Park: Feds A 54-year-old man faces child pornography possession charges after placing hidden cameras in the bathroom of a public park in the Hudson Valley to capture images of young girls, officials announced. Putnam County resident John Towers of Mahopac was arrested on Thursday, April 18 on child pornography charges, the US Attorney's Office of the Southern District of New York announced.  According to federal officials, from July 24, 2018, to December 9, 2019, Towers put hidden cameras in the bathroom of a privately owned public park in Putnam County to secretly record sexually explicit images…
NY Man Known As 'Sal The Shoemaker' Admits Running Illegal Gambling Operation For Mafia NY Man Known As 'Sal The Shoemaker' Admits Running Illegal Gambling Operation For Mafia
NY Man Known As 'Sal The Shoemaker' Admits Running Illegal Gambling Operation For Mafia An associate of the Genovese organized crime family known as “Sal the Shoemaker” admitted to operating an illegal gambling business associated with La Cosa Nostra. Long Island resident Salvatore Rubino, age 60, of Bethpage, pleaded guilty on Tuesday, April 16, at federal court in Brooklyn to operating the business. Earlier this month, four co-defendant members and associates of the Genovese crime family admitted to various felony charges stemming from their long-running operation of several lucrative gambling operations in New York City. Of the five charged, four are from Long Isl…
Convicted Sex Offender Coerces Putnam County Girl To Send Him Explicit Photos, Videos: Feds Convicted Sex Offender Coerces Putnam County Girl To Send Him Explicit Photos, Videos: Feds
Convicted Sex Offender Coerces Putnam County Girl To Send Him Explicit Photos, Videos: Feds A convicted sex offender was deported from Mexico and brought back to the United States to face charges in connection with his alleged sexual exploitation of a 12-year-old Hudson Valley girl, federal officials said. Former Oregon resident Kennedy Carter, age 27, was deported from Mexico and presented in San Francisco federal court after allegedly coercing a 12-year-old Putnam County girl into sending him sexually explicit photos and videos over the internet, the US Attorney's Office for Southern District of New York announced on Friday, March 22.  According to federal officials, b…
First Woman Takes Reins As Chief Of Detectives At Hudson Valley DA's Office First Woman Takes Reins As Chief Of Detectives At Hudson Valley DA's Office
First Woman Takes Reins As Chief Of Detectives At Hudson Valley DA's Office The first woman has been named to serve as Chief of Detectives for a Hudson Valley district attorney's office. Deirdre Smith was recently sworn in as the Chief of Detectives for the Rockland County District Attorney's Office, said Scott Waters, spokesman for the office. Smith is a graduate of Manhattan College. She started her law enforcement career in 1993 with the New York City Police Department and spent five years with the department before joining the Suffern Police Department. She served for 22 years with Suffern, retiring at the rank of sergeant. In Suffern, she was also the first f…
Pot-Smoking NY Rioter Who Donned Fake Beard In Capitol Breach Gets 3 Years In Prison Pot-Smoking NY Rioter Who Donned Fake Beard In Capitol Breach Gets 3 Years In Prison
Pot-Smoking NY Rioter Who Donned Fake Beard In Capitol Breach Gets 3 Years In Prison A New York man who was photographed smoking marijuana inside a Senate office during the US Capitol breach on Jan. 6, 2021 will spend years in prison. Brandon Fellows, age 29, of Schenectady, was sentenced to 3 ½ years in federal lockup on Thursday, Feb. 29 after a Washington, DC jury found him guilty of obstructing an official proceeding, a felony. “His actions and the actions of others disrupted a joint session of the US Congress convened to ascertain and count the electoral votes related to the presidential election,” the US Attorney’s Office said. Earlier Report: Capitol Rioter F…
Hudson Valley Man Nabbed For Sexually Exploiting Boy Gets More Charges: Feds Hudson Valley Man Nabbed For Sexually Exploiting Boy Gets More Charges: Feds
Hudson Valley 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…
Murder-For-Hire: Man Admits Paying $16K Bitcoin To Have NY Residents Killed Murder-For-Hire: Man Admits Paying $16K Bitcoin To Have NY Residents Killed
Murder-For-Hire: Man Admits Paying $16K Bitcoin To Have NY Residents Killed A Utah man has admitted to paying thousands of dollars worth of Bitcoin to arrange for the murders of two New York residents. Christopher Pence, age 43, of Cedar City, Utah appeared in Albany federal court on Wednesday, Dec. 6, and pleaded guilty to using the internet to solicit and pay for murder. According to prosecutors, Pence admitted to contacting the administrator of a website dedicated to arranging contract killings in 2021. He confessed to paying them $16,000 worth of Bitcoin to facilitate the murder of two Hoosick Falls residents in Rensselaer County. Pence gave the administrato…
Temple Shooting: 28-Year-Old Federally Charged After Gunshots At NY Synagogue Temple Shooting: 28-Year-Old Federally Charged After Gunshots At NY Synagogue
Temple Shooting: 28-Year-Old Federally Charged After Gunshots At NY Synagogue The man accused of opening fire at a New York synagogue on the first day of Hanukkah has been federally charged. Mufid Fawaz Alkhader, age 28, of Schenectady, appeared in Albany federal court on Friday, Dec. 8, where he was arraigned on one count of unlawfully possessing a firearm. According to the criminal complaint, Alkhader approached Albany’s Temple Israel, located on New Scotland Avenue, at around 2 p.m. on Thursday, Dec. 7 armed with a 12-gauge pump-action shotgun. He then fired the weapon twice into the air, prosecutors allege. Earlier Report: New Update: Shooting At NY Syna…
IDs Released For Couple Killed In Fiery Crash On Bridge Linking NY, Canada Caught On Video IDs Released For Couple Killed In Fiery Crash On Bridge Linking NY, Canada Caught On Video
IDs Released For Couple Killed In Fiery Crash On Bridge Linking NY, Canada Caught On Video The identities have now been released of a couple killed after crashing near a bridge connecting the United States and Canada on one of the year's busiest travel days. The Thanksgiving Eve incident happened early Wednesday afternoon, Nov. 22 on the Rainbow Bridge at Niagara Falls, New York. Niagara Falls Police say  Kurt Villani, and his wife, Monica Villani, both age 53, died in the vehicle explosion which led to a federal investigation. The two were residents of Grand Island, New York, located about 10 miles southeast of Niagara Falls. Authorities say the couple had originally been…
Condoms, Rope Found On NY Man Who Blackmailed Minors Into Sending Nudes, Feds Say Condoms, Rope Found On NY Man Who Blackmailed Minors Into Sending Nudes, Feds Say
Condoms, Rope Found On NY Man Who Blackmailed Minors Into Sending Nudes, Feds Say A New York man is in federal custody after allegedly blackmailing several underage girls into sending him sexually explicit images. Long Island resident Brandon Kern, age 29, of Bayport, was arraigned on multiple charges in Central Islip federal court on Wednesday, Nov. 22. An investigation found that between December 2020 and October 2021, he posed as a teenager on Snapchat in order to convince at least six underage girls to send him sexually explicit photos and videos. Some of the victims were as young as 12 years old, according to the FBI. When the girls attempted to block him, Kern al…
Mother’s Intuition? Trish Sena Made Prophetic Comment Before Daughter Charlotte's NY Rescue Mother’s Intuition? Trish Sena Made Prophetic Comment Before Daughter Charlotte's NY Rescue
Mother’s Intuition? Trish Sena Made Prophetic Comment Before Daughter Charlotte's NY Rescue Call it mother’s intuition. As the dreaded 48-hour mark approached since 9-year-old Charlotte Sena disappeared from a state park in New York, her mother suddenly had a feeling that everything would be alright just before the girl was rescued, according to Albany radio station WGNA.  Speaking with the station’s “Brian and Chrissy in the Morning” show Tuesday, Oct. 3, Charlotte’s aunt, Jene′ Sena, said the girl’s parents Trisha and Dave were gathered with friends and relatives around their campsite when Trisha made a rather prophetic statement. "I don't know...maybe it's mother's intuition,…
Support Swells For Charlotte Sena's Family After NY Girl's Kidnapping: 'Going To Be Long Road' Support Swells For Charlotte Sena's Family After NY Girl's Kidnapping: 'Going To Be Long Road'
Support Swells For Charlotte Sena's Family After NY Girl's Kidnapping: 'Going To Be Long Road' The hallways of the Corinth Central School District were flooded with orange Tuesday morning, Oct. 3, as students and teachers celebrated the safe return of 9-year-old Charlotte Sena following her kidnapping at a state park in New York and subsequent rescue two days later. “Promote unity by wearing your orange!” reads a message on the district’s Facebook page. “Other schools in our region will be wearing orange to support Corinth, too.” The heartwarming display hinted at the immense support the community has shown the girl’s family throughout the terrifying 48-hour manhunt that garnered na…
Putnam Sheriff Helps Nab Man Charged With Enticing 15-Year-Old Boy Over Internet: Feds Putnam Sheriff Helps Nab Man Charged With Enticing 15-Year-Old Boy Over Internet: Feds
Putnam Sheriff Helps Nab Man Charged With Enticing 15-Year-Old Boy Over Internet: 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…
Police, FBI Still Searching For Hudson Valley Man Wanted For Killing Daughter-In-Law Police, FBI Still Searching For Hudson Valley Man Wanted For Killing Daughter-In-Law
Police, FBI Still Searching For Hudson Valley Man Wanted For Killing Daughter-In-Law Although nearly 11 years have passed since the brutal murder of a Hudson Valley mother allegedly by her father-in-law, local police, the FBI, and the US Marshals Service have not given up the hunt for the man responsible. The Town of Haverstraw Police Department said Tuesday, Aug. 29, that the department continues to investigate the whereabouts of former Rockland County resident Eugene Palmer, age 84, of Stony Point, who is wanted in connection with the murder of Tammy Palmer on Monday, Sept. 24, 2012.  Eugene Palmer is accused of ambushing Tammy, the mother of his grandchildren, as she wa…
Gilgo Beach Murders: Police Investigating Possible Link Between Alleged Killer, Missing Woman Gilgo Beach Murders: Police Investigating Possible Link Between Alleged Killer, Missing Woman
Gilgo Beach Murders: Police Investigating Possible Link Between Alleged Killer, Missing Woman Authorities are investigating a possible connection between Gilgo Beach murder suspect Rex Heuermann and the disappearance of a South Carolina woman around six years ago. Julia Ann Bean was last seen in Sumter County, South Carolina on May 31, 2017. Her daughter reported her missing nearly six months later. On Sunday, Aug. 20, someone claiming to be Bean’s friend contacted the sheriff’s office and claimed to have information in the case, the agency announced on Facebook. Earlier Report: Gilgo Beach Murders: Pizza Crust Helped Nab Suspect Who Allegedly Taunted Victim's Family The perso…
FBI Offering Reward For Information In Hudson Valley Murder Investigation FBI Offering Reward For Information In Hudson Valley Murder Investigation
FBI Offering Reward For Information In Hudson Valley Murder Investigation The FBI is offering a reward of up to $10,000 for information leading to the arrest of those responsible for the murder of a Hudson Valley woman 35 years ago. The FBI's Westchester Safe Streets Task Force and the Spring Valley Police Department are asking the public assistance in the homicide of Glennise "Gamma" Stroud on Saturday, Sept. 12, 1987.  Her body was located in a wooded area in Rockland County south of 244 North Main St., in Spring Valley and her death was determined to be a homicide, the FBI said. She was 19 years old at the time of her death. If you have any in…
Jan. 6 Attack: Graduate Of Northern Westchester HS Gets Prison Time For Role In Riot Jan. 6 Attack: Graduate Of Northern Westchester HS Gets Prison Time For Role In Riot
Jan. 6 Attack: Graduate Of Northern Westchester HS Gets Prison Time For Role In Riot A Northern Westchester high school product has been sentenced for his role in the January 6 attack on the US Capitol.  Brian Gundersen, age 28, who graduated from Byram Hills High School in Armonk and played varsity football during his time there, was sentenced to 18 months in prison on Tuesday, July 25 for his role in the breach of the US Capitol on January 6, 2021, according to the US Department of Justice.  Earlier Report - HS Football Jacket IDs Northern Westchester Man As Capitol Rioter Gundersen, who now lives in State College, Pennsylvania, had been charged in co…
Gilgo Beach Serial Murders: Key Tip From Witness 12 Years Ago Helps Crack Case Gilgo Beach Serial Murders: Key Tip From Witness 12 Years Ago Helps Crack Case
Gilgo Beach Serial Murders: Key Tip From Witness 12 Years Ago Helps Crack Case The man accused of killing several women and dumping their bodies on a New York beach in what became known as the Gilgo Beach murders was finally nabbed thanks in large part to a tip from one victim’s roommate that came over a decade ago. Dave Schaller met with Suffolk County Police detectives in December 2010, shortly after the skeletal remains of 27-year-old Amber Lynn Costello were found in an area off Ocean Parkway, near Gilgo Beach, according to CBS News. He told them that shortly before Costello disappeared, he had witnessed a large man threatening her inside their North Babylon home…
This NY Locale Tops List Of Safest Cities In America, Report Says This NY Locale Tops List Of Safest Cities In America, Report Says
This NY Locale Tops List Of Safest Cities In America, Report Says When it comes to that list of must-haves for a new home, not many amenities rank higher than peace of mind. Fortunately for New Yorkers, you won’t have to look far to find it as the safest city in America is right in our backyard, according to a new ranking. Glens Falls in Warren County topped Rocket Mortgage’s “15 Safest Cities In The US” for 2023. The company came up with the ranking after looking at violent and property crime data around the country from the FBI, as well as other factors like population, median household incomes, and home prices. Glens Falls boasts a violent crime ra…
NY Serial Murders: Pizza Crust Helped Nab Suspect Who Allegedly Taunted Victim's Family NY Serial Murders: Pizza Crust Helped Nab Suspect Who Allegedly Taunted Victim's Family
NY Serial Murders: Pizza Crust Helped Nab Suspect Who Allegedly Taunted Victim's Family New details are shedding light on just how police in New York tracked down an alleged serial killer who worked on Fifth Avenue in Manhattan suspected in the deaths of at least four women on Long Island more than a decade ago. Nassau County resident Rex Heuermann, age 59, of Massapequa Park, an architect and married father of two, was arraigned on murder charges in Suffolk County Court on Friday, July 14, in the killings of Melissa Barthelemy, Megan Waterman, and Amber Costello. The bodies of 10 people, nine of whom were women, are linked to the case. Earlier Report: Suspect In Gilgo Beac…
Suspect In Gilgo Beach Murders ID'd As 59-Year-Old Founder Of Architecture Firm On Fifth Avenue Suspect In Gilgo Beach Murders ID'd As 59-Year-Old Founder Of Architecture Firm On Fifth Avenue
Suspect In Gilgo Beach Murders ID'd As 59-Year-Old Founder Of Architecture Firm On Fifth Avenue New update: NY Serial Murders: Pizza Crust Helped Nab Suspect Who Allegedly Taunted Victim's Family A man taken into custody for the Giglo Beach serial killer murders on Long Island has been identified as a local architect who has lived for years near where the bodies of the 10 victims were found, according to multiple reports and sources. Rex Heuermann, age 59, of Massapequa Park, was taken into custody on Thursday, July 13 around 8:30 p.m., for at least some of the murder victims, nine of whom were women, found on the south shore of Long Island known as Gilgo Beach, The New York Times re…
Gilgo Beach Serial Murders: Suspect Reportedly Nabbed In Case Involving 10 Victims Gilgo Beach Serial Murders: Suspect Reportedly Nabbed In Case Involving 10 Victims
Gilgo Beach Serial Murders: Suspect Reportedly Nabbed In Case Involving 10 Victims New Update: Serial Murder Suspect ID'd As Long Island Man Who Founded Architecture Firm On Fifth Avenue A suspect has reportedly been apprehended in connection with the Long Island serial murders on Gilgo Beach that have long gone unsolved, according to multiple news sources. The person, who has not yet been identified publically, was taken into custody in Nassau County on Thursday, July 13 in Massapequa Park by Suffolk County Police, along with other law enforcement partners, reported CBS News. A total of 10 bodies, nine of which were women, found on the south shore of Long Island.ha…
Former HS Teacher From Region Enticed Student To Engage In Sexual Activity: Feds Former HS Teacher From Region Enticed Student To Engage In Sexual Activity: Feds
Former HS Teacher From Region Enticed Student To Engage In Sexual Activity: Feds A former Westchester County high school teacher from Fairfield County faces more than a decade in prison after allegedly enticing one of her 16-year-old students to engage in sexual activity while making her believe they were in a romantic relationship, federal officials said. Bethel resident Sandy Carazas-Pinez, age 34, has been indicted on charges related to her alleged sexual exploitation of one of her students while she was employed at a school in Yonkers, the US Attorney's Office for the Southern District of New York announced on Wednesday, July 12.  According to federal officials…
Travelers Beware: 'Juice Jacking' Scam Targeting Data Through Charging Stations Travelers Beware: 'Juice Jacking' Scam Targeting Data Through Charging Stations
Travelers Beware: 'Juice Jacking' Scam Targeting Data Through Charging Stations With the summer travel season underway, state leaders are warning of a new scam tactic targeting travelers’ personal information on their electronic devices. In a warning issued this week, the New York Department of State’s Division of Consumer Protection encouraged travelers to protect themselves against so-called “juice jacking” on public charging stations. Officials said thieves can place hidden skimming devices inside USB ports on public cell phone charging kiosks at airports, hotels, and other public locations. “Unfortunately, nefarious scammers are always at work finding new ways to …
Child Rapist 'Godson' Sexually Abused 15-Year-Old In Hudson Valley, Feds Say Child Rapist 'Godson' Sexually Abused 15-Year-Old In Hudson Valley, Feds Say
Child Rapist 'Godson' Sexually Abused 15-Year-Old In Hudson Valley, Feds Say A registered "sexually violent" offender who was once convicted of raping a 7-year-old girl is now accused of sexually abusing another child in the region. Curtis Ellington, age 33, of Junction City, Kansas, was arraigned on child sex crimes charges in federal court in White Plains on Thursday, June 1. According to the US Attorney’s Office in the Southern District, Ellington slept at the 15-year-old victim’s Orange County home in April 2023, and engaged in sexual activity with them. Earlier Report: 'Sexually Violent' Offender Convicted Of Raping Girl, 7, Reports Move In Middletown Pr…
Man Charged With Making Child Sex Tapes In Hudson Valley, Police Say Man Charged With Making Child Sex Tapes In Hudson Valley, Police Say
Man Charged With Making Child Sex Tapes In Hudson Valley, Police Say A 23-year-old man has been charged with allegedly meeting a minor in the Hudson Valley for sex and for having sexually-explicit tapes of minors. Richard Rosa, was arrested in Orange County on Tuesday, April 25 in Wallkill following an investigation that found he met an underage female with the intent to engage in sexual relations, said Lt. Robert McLymore, of the Wallkill Police. Rosa, who police say is homeless, was also found to be in possession of sexually explicit material involving a minor, McLymore said. Wallkill Police were assisted by: Orange County Distr…
Attempted NY Child Rapist Drove 285 Miles For Sex With '13-Year-Old,' Police Say Attempted NY Child Rapist Drove 285 Miles For Sex With '13-Year-Old,' Police Say
Attempted NY Child Rapist Drove 285 Miles For Sex With '13-Year-Old,' Police Say An attempted child rapist avoided lockup after driving hundreds of miles to the region to have sex with who he thought was an underage teen, authorities said. Cary Youngs, age 28, of Hamburg in Erie County, in western New York, was arrested Thursday, April 27, in the Capital Region, in the Albany County town of Colonie, following a police pursuit that lasted nearly 15 minutes, according to state police. Investigators from the agency’s Computer Crimes Unit and Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force, along with the FBI, determined that he drove from Buffalo to Colonie - a distance of 28…
Hudson Valley Convicted Rapist Caught Blackmailing Teens For Sex Photos, US Attorney Says Hudson Valley Convicted Rapist Caught Blackmailing Teens For Sex Photos, US Attorney Says
Hudson Valley Convicted Rapist Caught Blackmailing Teens For Sex Photos, US Attorney Says A convicted rapist from the Hudson Valley on probation has been caught extorting teen girls online for sex photos and videos online. Orange County resident Cameron McEwen, age 21, of Middletown, was arrested on Tuesday, April 25 for targeting at least two girls online and forcing them to engage in sexually explicit activity or he would share their photos with others, said the US Attorney for the Southern District of New York Damian Williams. The criminal complaint charges that McEwen persuaded a 16-year-old girl (Victim 1) living in Alaska to engage in sexually explicit activity, take …
Student From Louisville Threatens To 'Shoot Up' NY College Days After Mass Kentucky Shooting Student From Louisville Threatens To 'Shoot Up' NY College Days After Mass Kentucky Shooting
Student From Louisville Threatens To 'Shoot Up' NY College Days After Mass Kentucky Shooting Classes have resumed at a New York college where a 20-year-old student from Louisville allegedly threatened to shoot up the school just days after five were killed in a mass shooting in the Kentucky city. Multiple police agencies in Oneida County were called shortly before 7 p.m. Sunday, April 16, with reports of an active shooter threat against Hamilton College, located in the town of Clinton. In a post on Twitter, the college said there was “the threat of an armed assailant” in the Kirner Johnson building. Students and faculty were told to stay locked inside their rooms and away from win…
'Burn After Reading': Brian Laundrie's Mom Offered To Bury Body, Petitos' Lawyer Says 'Burn After Reading': Brian Laundrie's Mom Offered To Bury Body, Petitos' Lawyer Says
'Burn After Reading': Brian Laundrie's Mom Offered To Bury Body, Petitos' Lawyer Says A letter at the center of controversy in a lawsuit between the families of Long Island natives Brian Laundrie and Gabby Petito has nothing to do with the death of Petito, Roberta Laundrie says.  Roberta Laundrie, of North Port, Florida, filed paperwork with the court on Monday, March 6, claiming the letter with the words "Burn After Reading," printed on the front, has nothing to do with the death of Petito of Blue Point, in Suffolk County. The attorney of the Petito family, Joe Petito, and Nichole Schmidt has also filed paperwork with the court to make the letter admissible as evidence in …