Hochul Signs Controversial ‘Clean Slate’ Law Sealing Most Criminal Convictions Hochul Signs Controversial ‘Clean Slate’ Law Sealing Most Criminal Convictions
Hochul Signs Controversial ‘Clean Slate’ Law Sealing Most Criminal Convictions Millions of New Yorkers will soon have their criminal convictions sealed under new legislation meant to better help them find jobs and housing. Gov. Kathy Hochul signed the “Clean Slate Act” into law during a ceremony in Brooklyn on Thursday, Nov. 16. Under the new law, those with misdemeanor convictions will have their records sealed three years after their release from incarceration, while felony convictions will be sealed after eight years. Earlier Report: Suffolk County DA Accuses Lawmakers Of 'Protecting Criminals' With Proposed 'Clean Slate' Bill Class A felonies, which include m…
'No Regrets': Pot-Smoking NY Rioter Who Donned Fake Beard, Shield Guilty In Capitol Breach 'No Regrets': Pot-Smoking NY Rioter Who Donned Fake Beard, Shield Guilty In Capitol Breach
'No Regrets': Pot-Smoking NY Rioter Who Donned Fake Beard, Shield Guilty In Capitol Breach A New York man who was photographed smoking marijuana inside a Senate office during the breach of the US Capitol on Jan. 6, 2021 has been convicted of multiple crimes for his actions that day. Jurors found Brandon Fellows, age 29, of Schenectady, guilty of felony obstructing an official proceeding and entering and remaining in a restricted building in federal court in Washington, DC on Thursday, Aug. 31. “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,” reads a state…
Estranged Wife Sues Ex-Podiatrist, Sister From Westchester For Alleged Murder-For-Hire Scheme Estranged Wife Sues Ex-Podiatrist, Sister From Westchester For Alleged Murder-For-Hire Scheme
Estranged Wife Sues Ex-Podiatrist, Sister From Westchester For Alleged Murder-For-Hire Scheme The wife of a once sought-after Hudson Valley podiatrist has sued her estranged husband and his sister for allegedly scheming to have her killed. Rockland County resident Ira Bernstein, age 49, of Montebello, and Northern Westchester resident Jaclyn Goldberg, age 40, of Bedford, are being sued by Susan Bernstein, as they face criminal charges in the alleged plot. This is the alleged second such plot the podiatrist has undertaken to kill his wife Susan Bernstein, of Sloatsburg, who filed the lawsuit on Thursday, July 27 in the New York State Supreme Court. Ira Bernstein spent almost fi…
HS Senior In Westchester Offered $500,000 In Scholarships, 5 Full Rides HS Senior In Westchester Offered $500,000 In Scholarships, 5 Full Rides
HS Senior In Westchester Offered $500,000 In Scholarships, 5 Full Rides A high school senior from Westchester diagnosed with a learning disability proved anything is possible by being offered a total of $500,000 in scholarships and five full rides from 15 colleges.  Mount Vernon High School senior Mia Vaquero, who will be graduating in June, was accepted into 15 schools and offered a cumulative $500,000 in scholarships, Mount Vernon City School District officials announced on Wednesday, May 24.  The first person in her family to pursue a college education, Vaquero was inspired to work hard in school after seeing how much her parents, who cam…
'Consummate Professional': Former Dispatcher For Westchester County Police Dies At Age 45 'Consummate Professional': Former Dispatcher For Westchester County Police Dies At Age 45
'Consummate Professional': Former Dispatcher For Westchester County Police Dies At Age 45 A former dispatcher for the Westchester County Police Department known for his professionalism and big heart has died unexpectedly.  Port Chester resident Bryan Santucci died on Thursday, Nov. 3 at the age of 45, according to his obituary.  Santucci was born in 1976 and graduated from Port Chester High School in 1995, later earning his bachelor's degree in Criminal Justice from Pace University in Pleasantville, his obituary said.  An employee of Westchester County for more than 20 years, Santucci started his career as a park ranger and then became Emergency Co…
Detective, Drug Task Force Supervisor In Hudson Valley Dies At Age 31 Detective, Drug Task Force Supervisor In Hudson Valley Dies At Age 31
Detective, Drug Task Force Supervisor In Hudson Valley Dies At Age 31 A detective in the Hudson Valley has died at the age of 31. The Rockland County District Attorney's Office announced with "profound sadness" that detective and Drug Task Force Supervisor Xavier Fernandez died on Friday, Oct. 28. A cause of death has not been released. Fernandez worked as an NYPD officer and PBA representative for the 44th precinct until November 2021, the DA's Office said.  "He started his dream job as a detective in his home of Rockland County in November 2021 and was assigned to the RCDAO Drug Task Force and was quickly promoted to group supervisor," the department…
Westchester Woman Who Fatally Stabbed Boyfriend Freed From Prison Under New State Law Westchester Woman Who Fatally Stabbed Boyfriend Freed From Prison Under New State Law
Westchester Woman Who Fatally Stabbed Boyfriend Freed From Prison Under New State Law A woman who admitted to stabbing her boyfriend to death will be released from prison under a new NY state law that gives judges more discretion in sentencing defendants who have suffered domestic abuse. Westchester County resident Jonitha Alston, age 35, of New Rochelle, will be freed after acting State Supreme Court Justice Robert Neary vacated her original 12-year sentence and resentenced her to five years in prison. The move followed a recommendation from Westchester County District Attorney Miriam Rocah for a reduced sentence under New York’s 2019 Domestic Violence Survivors Justic…
Man, 47, Admits To Sexually Abusing 7-Year-Old At Locations In Hudson Valley Man, 47, Admits To Sexually Abusing 7-Year-Old At Locations In Hudson Valley
Man, 47, Admits To Sexually Abusing 7-Year-Old At Locations In Hudson Valley With time ticking before a trial began, a 46-year-old man admitted to sexually abusing a child throughout the Hudson Valley on multiple occasions over the course of several years. In Rockland County, Haverstraw resident Sherman Brody pleaded guilty to a felony count of course of sexual conduct against a child as prosecutors began jury selection in anticipation of an upcoming trial. Rockland County District Attorney Thomas Walsh announced the guilty plea on Monday, May 23.  Prosecutors said that between 2017 and 2021, Brody sexually abused a minor at various locations throughout Havers…
Former Employee At Westchester Car Dealership Sentenced For $300K Tax Fraud Former Employee At Westchester Car Dealership Sentenced For $300K Tax Fraud
Former Employee At Westchester Car Dealership Sentenced For $300K Tax Fraud A Long Island man will spend time behind bars after being sentenced for his role in a $300,000 embezzlement scheme to defraud the Westchester auto dealership he worked at, state authorities announced. Moriches resident James Castellano, age 55, was sentenced to a term of between two and six years in prison for embezzling more than $300,000 from Hyundai of New Rochelle, according to the New York State Department of Taxation and Finance. Officials said that in 2017, while an employee at the Palmer Avenue dealership, Castellano diverted more than $307,000 in checks made out to Hyundai into his…
Westchester Man Sentenced For Stabbing, Sexually Assaulting Woman Westchester Man Sentenced For Stabbing, Sexually Assaulting Woman
Westchester Man Sentenced For Stabbing, Sexually Assaulting Woman A 40-year-old man will spend nearly a decade in prison after being sentenced for assaulting, stabbing, and sexually abusing a woman in Westchester, the District Attorney announced. Mount Vernon resident Hasarn Myke, age 40, was sentenced to nine years in state prison, following 15 years of post-release supervision after pleading to multiple violent felonies. Specifically, Myke pleaded guilty in October 2021 to: Attempted assault as a sexually motivated felony; Attempted assault; Sexual abuse; Second-degree assault as a sexually motivated felony; Two counts of second-degree assault. He al…
Ex-Officer Sentenced For Bludgeoning Death Of Woman Inside Hudson Valley Residence Ex-Officer Sentenced For Bludgeoning Death Of Woman Inside Hudson Valley Residence
Ex-Officer Sentenced For Bludgeoning Death Of Woman Inside Hudson Valley Residence A former officer from the region has been sentenced to 25 years in prison for the bludgeoning death of a woman inside her home. Luis Rondon, age 50, of New Windsor, was sentenced on Wednesday, Dec. 14 for the death of the woman he was reportedly having an affair with, said Orange County District Attorney David M. Hoovler. According to the District Attorney's Office, on Thursday, Oct. 7, Rondon was convicted by a jury in Orange County Court of murder and criminal possession of a weapon At the time of the killing, Rondon was a peace officer and sergeant with the Triborough Bridge and Tunnel…
Officer Found Guilty In Bludgeoning Death Of Girlfriend In Hudson Valley Officer Found Guilty In Bludgeoning Death Of Girlfriend In Hudson Valley
Officer Found Guilty In Bludgeoning Death Of Girlfriend In Hudson Valley An officer in New York City who lives in the Hudson Valley was found guilty of the violent death of his girlfriend following a jury trial. Luis Rondon, age 50, of New Windsor, was convicted in Orange County Court of second-degree murder and fourth-degree criminal possession of a weapon on Thursday, Oct. 7.  The convictions were in connection with the bludgeoning death of a woman on Oct. 7, 2019, inside her South Gate Village apartment, in New Windsor.  The trial began on Monday, Sept. 20.  Rondon, who was a peace officer and sergeant with the Triborough Bridge and Tunnel A…