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Homeland Security Investigations

Man Admits To Child Porn Charges In Hudson Valley, DA Says Man Admits To Child Porn Charges In Hudson Valley, DA Says
Man Admits To Child Porn Charges In Ramapo, DA Says A Long Island man has pleaded guilty in the Hudson Valley to attempted dissemination of indecent materials to minors. Nassau County resident Daniel Waxman, age 56, of Cedarhurst, pleaded guilty on Thursday, April 4, in Ramapo, according to Rockland County District Attorney Thomas Walsh II,  From May 2023 to May 2023, the DA's Office said an undercover investigator from the Rockland County District Attorney's Office posing as a minor engaged in a series of internet chat conversations with Waxman. The undercover investigator told Waxman on multiple occasions that she was …
Thief Who Stole $1.5M Worth Of Luxury Cars In NJ, Rockland, Long Island, CT Gets 3½ Years Thief Who Stole $1.5M Worth Of Luxury Cars In NJ, Rockland, Long Island, CT Gets 3½ Years
Thief Who Stole $1.5M Worth Of Luxury Cars In NJ, Rockland, Long Island, CT Gets 3½ Years 𝗨𝗣𝗗𝗔𝗧𝗘: The last of four men who admitted stealing more than $1.5 million worth of luxury cars in New Jersey, Rockland County, Long Island and Connecticut was sentenced to nearly 3½ years in federal prison. Malik Baker, 30, of Vauxhall, and his three co-conspirators stashed at least 10 of the vehicles at a central location in Irvington, NJ, U.S. Attorney for New Jersey Philip Sellinger said. The Essex County-based quartet often used one stolen vehicle to swipe another, he added. In one instance, Sellinger said, the crew swiped a Maserati GranTurismo at the Jersey Shore in Manalapan an…
7 Nabbed In Raid On Drug Den In Region, Police Say 7 Nabbed In Raid On Drug Den In Region, Police Say
7 Nabbed In Raid On Drug Den In Region, Police Say Seven people were nabbed during a raid at an alleged well-known drug den in the region. The incident took place in Sullivan. County around 4:30 a.m., Thursday, Jan. 11 in the village of Monticello. According to Undersheriff Eric Chaboty of the Sullivan County Sheriff's Office, at the scene deputies recovered a quantity of cocaine, heroin/fentanyl, and several thousand dollars in cash.  “The total weight of the drugs seized was almost half a pound," according to Sulivan County Sheriff Mike Schiff.  The following defendants were charged with felony criminal possession of a control…
Fake ICE Agent Sparks Investigation, Police Say Fake ICE Agent Sparks Investigation, Police Say
Fake ICE Agent Sparks Investigation, Police Say A man was allegedly caught posing as a Customs and Border Protection Officer on Long Island, prompting police to investigate potential fraud. On Wednesday, Nov. 1, Andy Kwok, age 53, was arrested in a Levittown restaurant for pretending to be a US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agent, according to Nassau County Police. At approximately 11:20 a.m., Kwok, a resident of the hamlet of Delmar in Albany County, was dining at K City Hot Pot and Sushi, located at 3056 Hempstead Turnpike. He was dressed as a Customs and Border Protection (CBP) Officer, complete with a fraudulent ID car…
$1.5M Fraud: Rockland Man Lied To Investors About Being Licensed Broker, Feds Say $1.5M Fraud: Rockland Man Lied To Investors About Being Licensed Broker, Feds Say
$1.5M Fraud: Rockland Man Lied To Investors About Being Licensed Broker, Feds Say A Hudson Valley man faces up to 20 years in prison for allegedly lying to investors that he was a licensed investment broker and making off with more than $1.5 million of his customer's cash.  Rockland County resident Jeffrey Tognetti Jr., age 26, of Piermont, was charged on Thursday, Aug. 31 with wire fraud, said Damian Williams, the US Attorney for the Southern District of New York. As alleged in public court proceedings in White Plains feral court, Tognetti ran a scheme that solicited and obtained funds from victims based on the misrepresentations that, among other things,…
Duo Nabbed In Drug Den Full Of People In  Region, Sheriff Says Duo Nabbed In Drug Den Full Of People In  Region, Sheriff Says
Duo Nabbed In Drug Den Full Of People In Region, Sheriff Says Two people were arrested after sheriff's deputies served a warrant at an apartment in the region known as a frequent drug den. The incident took place in Sullivan County around 3 a.m., Friday, June 9 at 18 Roosevelt Place, Apartment 16 in Monticello. "The residence is well known in the neighborhood as a drug-prone location where the injection and smoking of illicit substances take place," said Sullivan County Undersheriff Eric Chaboty. Seven people were removed from the apartment, none of whom lived there, Chaboty said.  Detectives charged Sullivan County resident Lauren T. Stack, ag…
Sexual Predator Sting: Attorney Nabbed After Arranging To Meet Girl In Ramapo, DA Says Sexual Predator Sting: Attorney Nabbed After Arranging To Meet Girl In Ramapo, DA Says
Sexual Predator Sting: Attorney Nabbed After Arranging To Meet Girl In Ramapo, DA Says An undercover investigation in the Hudson Valley has led to the arrest of a Long Island attorney who is accused of preying on a minor using online platforms. Long Island resident Daniel Waxman, age 55, was arrested on Wednesday, May 31 after authorities say he arrived in Rockland County to meet with whom he thought was a 14-year-old girl. From Monday, May 22 up until Wednesday, an undercover investigator from the Rockland County District Attorney’s Office posing as a minor engaged in a series of text conversations with Waxman, Rockland DA Thomas E. Walsh said. The undercover inve…
NY Engineer Sentenced For Stealing GE's Trade Secrets To Benefit China NY Engineer Sentenced For Stealing GE's Trade Secrets To Benefit China
NY Engineer Sentenced For Stealing GE's Trade Secrets To Benefit China A New York engineer is heading to federal prison for conspiring to steal General Electric’s trade secrets to benefit the Chinese government. Schenectady County resident Xiaoqing Zheng, age 59, of Niskayuna, was sentenced to two years behind bars in federal court in Albany on Tuesday, Jan. 3. It followed his March 2022 conviction on a charge of conspiracy to commit economic espionage. After a four-week trial, the jury either acquitted Zheng, or could not reach a unanimous verdict, on 11 other charges. According to the US Attorney’s Office in the Northern District, Zheng worked at GE Po…
Former Rockland County Coach Charged With Transporting Minors To Engage In Sexual Activity Former Rockland County Coach Charged With Transporting Minors To Engage In Sexual Activity
Former Rockland County Coach Charged With Transporting Minors To Engage In Sexual Activity A former diving coach in the Hudson Valley is facing federal charges, years after he allegedly transported teenagers across state lines for sex. Victor Byrne, age 56, who formerly coached competitive divers in Rockland County, was arrested Wednesday, Aug. 31, in Orlando, Florida. Federal prosecutors said Byrne transported a 16-year-old victim from Cape Cod, Massachusetts to Rockland County to engage in illegal sexual activity in July 2006. In February 2008, he transported another 16-year-old from New Jersey to Rockland County, again to engage in illegal sex, prosecutors said. Byrne worked…
Rockland Man Indicted After Undercover Investigation Into Child Predators Rockland Man Indicted After Undercover Investigation Into Child Predators
Rockland Man Indicted After Undercover Investigation Into Child Predators A 32-year-old Hudson Valley resident is facing multiple charges after authorities said he sent sexually-explicit photographs and messages to an undercover officer who was posing as a child. Thomas Szeliga, of the hamlet of Orangeburg in Rockland County, was indicted on one count of second-degree attempted criminal sexual act and one count of first-degree attempted disseminating indecent material to minors, according to authorities. Rockland County District Attorney Thomas Walsh II said that on or about and between Friday, June 3, and Monday, June 27, Szeliga exchanged sexually explicit…
Registered Sex Offender Busted Soliciting 'Teen Girl' In Rockland Online Registered Sex Offender Busted Soliciting 'Teen Girl' In Rockland Online
Registered Sex Offender Busted Soliciting 'Teen Girl' In Rockland Online A registered sex offender was busted by undercover officers during a sexual predator sting operation in the Hudson Valley, officials announced. In Rockland County, New Jersey resident Brian Reed, age 33, of Sussex, was busted and indicted following an online sting conducted by the District’s Attorney’s Special Investigative Unit. Rockland County DA Thomas Walsh II noted that Reed is a registered sex offender with a past conviction in New Jersey. According to Walsh, between Wednesday, May 25 and Thursday, May 26, Reed allegedly exchanged text messages, photos, and phone calls - all sexually…
Ex-NY Resident Indicted For Massive Fraud Scheme Involving Sports Betting Ex-NY Resident Indicted For Massive Fraud Scheme Involving Sports Betting
Ex-NY Resident Indicted For Massive Fraud Scheme Involving Sports Betting A former New Yorker is accused of being the mastermind of a massive sports betting fraud scheme that bilked victims out of tens of millions of dollars. Cory Zeidman, age 61, formerly of Long Island, was charged with conspiracy to commit wire fraud, mail fraud, and money laundering. He was arrested Wednesday, May 25, in Florida, according to the US Attorney’s Office in the East District. Federal prosecutors said Zeidman used national radio ads to lure sports fans into believing that they could “get in on the ground floor” of his phony sports betting organization and that it could provide i…
Man From Area Charged As Leader Of Organized Armed Robbery Conspiracy Man From Area Charged As Leader Of Organized Armed Robbery Conspiracy
Man From Area Charged As Leader Of Organized Armed Robbery Conspiracy A Hudson Valley man was arrested and accused of leading an organized armed robbery conspiracy in the region. Orange County resident Patrick Chellel, age 31, of the village of Montgomery, was arrested on Wednesday, March 23, and charged in a conspiracy to commit armed robberies of suspected drug dealers in Orange County, the Bronx and Hartford, according to Damian Williams, the United States attorney for the Southern District of New York. “As alleged, Patrick Chellel organized and directed a violent conspiracy to rob suspected drug dealers and associates at gunpoint," Williams said. "C…
Police Release New Info On Fatal Shooting Of College Student From Hudson Valley Police Release New Info On Fatal Shooting Of College Student From Hudson Valley
Police Release New Info On Fatal Shooting Of College Student From Hudson Valley The 21-year-old SUNY Potsdam student from the Hudson Valley who was killed just off-campus was fatally shot multiple times in a drive-by shooting, according to new information released by police. Putnam County resident Elizabeth Howell, age 21, who was a senior at SUNY Potsdam, was struck by three bullets that were fired from a grey, four-door Honda Civic at around 5:45 p.m. on Friday, Feb. 18, investigators from the Potsdam Police Department announced. Original story - Brewster HS Grad Killed In Upstate Shooting Was An Aspiring Educator Police said that her alleged shooter, St. Lawrence C…
Area Man, Woman Charged After Probe Of Drug Shipments Through Mail Area Man, Woman Charged After Probe Of Drug Shipments Through Mail
Area Man, Woman Charged After Probe Of Drug Shipments Through Mail Two Hudson Valley residents were arrested following an investigation into a home receiving shipments of drugs through the mail. Orange County residents Muhammad Iftikhar, age 42, and Maria Younis, age 39, both of Goshen, were arrested following the investigation, which concluded on Tuesday, Feb. 8, New York State Police reported. Police said the two were arrested after a search warrant was executed at the Goshen residence, and law enforcement seized more than 50 grams of anabolic steroids and more than 20 grams of MDMA. Authorities said the investigation was conducted by State Police in co…
Six, Including Police Officer In Hudson Valley, Charged In Sex Trafficking, Bribery Scheme Six, Including Police Officer In Hudson Valley, Charged In Sex Trafficking, Bribery Scheme
Six, Including Police Officer In Hudson Valley, Charged In Sex Trafficking, Bribery Scheme A police officer who allegedly protected a prostitution ring in exchange for free sexual favors is among six facing a host of charges for their roles in operating a sex trafficking organization throughout New York, federal officials announced. In Brooklyn federal court, a 14-count indictment has been unsealed for six suspects who ran the operation - which included minors - while the cop protected them from being arrested by law enforcement. Those charged: Wayne Peiffer, age 48, of Highland in Ulster County; Jose Facundo Zarate Morals, age 32, of Queens. Luz Elvira Cardona, age 33, of Que…
Lack Of COVID Test Stops Kidnapper's Bid To Cross Canadian Border With Girl In Trunk Lack Of COVID Test Stops Kidnapper's Bid To Cross Canadian Border With Girl In Trunk
Lack Of COVID Test Stops Kidnapper's Bid To Cross Canadian Border With Girl In Trunk A teenage man who was stopped at the Canadian border for lack of a COVID-19 test had kidnapped a 16-year-old from Connecticut, sexually assaulted her, and put her in the trunk of his car, according to police. The kidnapping was reported in Connecticut when the suspect, 19-year-old Christopher Jesus Constanzo, abducted and sexually assaulted the female victim on Thursday, Dec. 2, according to Vermont State Police.  Constanzo is then reported to have held the victim in the trunk of his car while he drove from Connecticut toward the US border crossing in Highgate Springs, Vermont. Early …
Four Ramapo Brothers Accused Of $19M Scam To Defraud Amazon Four Ramapo Brothers Accused Of $19M Scam To Defraud Amazon
Four Ramapo Brothers Accused Of $19M Scam To Defraud Amazon Four brothers from the Hudson Valley have been charged for allegedly engaging in a scheme to systematically defraud Amazon.com of millions. "Through the course of the scheme, they manipulated Amazon’s vendor system in attempts to fraudulently induce Amazon to pay for goods that Amazon had not ordered," Audrey Strauss, the Acting United States Attorney for the Southern District of New York, said. In executing the scheme, they fraudulently attempted to obtain at least approximately $32 million and successfully obtained at least approximately $19 million, Strauss said. The four are:…
Dominican National Who Brought 2 Pounds Of Heroin From Rockland To NJ Sentenced Dominican National Who Brought 2 Pounds Of Heroin From Rockland To NJ Sentenced
Dominican National Who Brought 2 Pounds Of Heroin From Rockland To NJ Sentenced A Dominican national who smuggled more than two pounds of heroin from Rockland County into New Jersey was sentenced Thursday in Newark to a plea-bargained 34 months in federal prison. Bienvenido Perez Lazala, 31, who previously admitted his role in moving the drug, must serve the entire sentence because there's no parole in the federal prison system. Federal agents were listening as plans were made for Lazala to collect the heroin in Haverstraw and bring it to New Jersey, where he sold it to a buyer who turned out to be a law enforcement officer, U.S. Craig Carpenito said. In addition to t…
Area Tour Company Founder Indicted On Federal Child Porn Trafficking Charges Area Tour Company Founder Indicted On Federal Child Porn Trafficking Charges
Area Tour Company Founder Indicted On Federal Child Porn Trafficking Charges The founder of a nature tour company operating from the Jersey Shore north to Poughkeepsie and southern Connecticut was found with 6,800 photos and 120 videos of child sexual abuse, an indictment returned by a federal grand jury alleges. Federal Homeland Security agents arrested Vaughn Tiedeman, 46, of Living Adventure Tours, in February on distributing child pornography charges. A grand jury in Newark added receiving and possession counts, U.S. Attorney Craig Carpenito said Thursday. Between July 2018 and January 2019, Tiedeman, of West Milford, “distributed at least 50 videos a…
Feds Charge Tri-State Area Tour Company Founder With Trafficking Child Porn Feds Charge Tri-State Area Tour Company Founder With Trafficking Child Porn
Feds Charge Tri-State Area Tour Company Founder With Trafficking Child Porn The North Jersey founder of a nature tour company operating from the Jersey Shore north to Poughkeepsie and southern Connecticut was arrested by federal Homeland Security agents on charges of trafficking child porn. Vaughn Tiedeman, 46, of Living Adventure Tours, was ordered held without bail by a federal judge in Newark Monday afternoon on a charge of distributing child pornography. Between July 2018 and January 2019, Tiedeman, of West Milford, “distributed at least 50 videos and 100 images depicting the sexual abuse of children via the BitTorrent peer-to-peer network,” U.S. Attorney Craig…
22 Nabbed After Investigation Of Sales Of Crack, Heroin Mixed With Fentanyl In Area 22 Nabbed After Investigation Of Sales Of Crack, Heroin Mixed With Fentanyl In Area
22 Nabbed After Investigation Of Sales Of Crack, Heroin Mixed With Fentanyl In Area More than 20 have been arrested over the course of a months-long investigation targeting crack cocaine and heroin mixed with fentanyl in the village. On Wednesday, March 20, four Ellenville residents were arrested for selling large amounts of crack cocaine in the Ellenville area as charged in an indictment returned last week by a federal grand jury, said the U.S. Attorney's Office for the Northern District in a press release. Three additional Ellenville residents were charged in December 2018 and January 2019.  The latest arrested include Antonio Naveo, 38, Margaret Vandyke,…
Federal Judge Orders Spring Valley Man Held In 7-Pound Heroin, Fentanyl-Related Bust Federal Judge Orders Spring Valley Man Held In 7-Pound Heroin, Fentanyl-Related Bust
Federal Judge Orders Spring Valley Man Held In 7-Pound Heroin, Fentanyl-Related Bust A federal judge in New Jersey ordered a Spring Valley man held without bail after authorities said they found more than seven pounds of heroin and a fentanyl precursor in his car and home. Authorities learned that David Valle Campos, 45, “planned to sell a substantial quantity of either heroin, fentanyl or both to a buyer in the Trenton area,” U.S. Attorney for New Jersey Craig Carpenito said. Investigators stopped Campos on Monday as he drove from a parking lot in Hamilton Township after meeting with another individual, the U.S. attorney said. In his vehicle they found 1.2 kilograms of 4-…
Rockland Man Admits Having Sex With Child, Recording, Sharing It Rockland Man Admits Having Sex With Child, Recording, Sharing It
Rockland Man Admits Having Sex With Child, Recording, Sharing It A Pearl River man admitted Wednesday in federal court in New Jersey that he took and then shared sex videos and images that he made with a child. Richard Murphy, 32, told a judge in Newark that he "persuaded a child to engage in sexually explicit conduct for the purpose of taking photos and videos of that conduct" in December 2016, U.S. Attorney for New Jersey Craig Carpenito said. Murphy also "admitted that he took video of the child performing a sex act on him" and shared the images online, Carpenito said. U.S. District Judge John Michael Vazquez scheduled sentencing …
Hudson Valley Man Sentenced For Sexually Exploiting 12-Year-Old Girl Hudson Valley Man Sentenced For Sexually Exploiting 12-Year-Old Girl
Hudson Valley Man Sentenced For Sexually Exploiting 12-Year-Old Girl A 34-year-old Carmel man was sentenced to 15 years in prison on Friday for engaging in, and videotaping, sexual activity with a minor in the fall of 2003.   John Asmodeo pled guilty on Oct. 23, 2017, before U.S. District Judge Vincent Briccetti, who also imposed Friday’s sentence. Geoffrey S. Berman, the U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of New York, said: “This case underlines the urgent need for law enforcement to continue its efforts to protect children from those who prey on them. We will continue to use every tool available to law enforcement to prosecute and punish those who sex…