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Suffolk County District Attorney

Odometer Rollback Scheme Orchestrated By Shirley Auto Prez, Saleswoman, DA Says Odometer Rollback Scheme Orchestrated By Shirley Auto Prez, Saleswoman, DA Says
ABB Auto World Defrauded Buyers With Odometer Rollbacks: DA A Long Island car dealer and her associate are accused of duping customers into buying high mileage used cars by changing their odometer readings. Ashley Duff, age 27, and Ginger Sipes, age 58, both of Shirley, are facing fraud and conspiracy charges in Suffolk County Court. Prosecutors said Duff’s company, ABB Auto World Inc., bought high mileage cars from auctions and then had their odometers rolled back to show lower mileage. Some of the vehicles had over 200,000 miles on them. Duff and Sipes would then advertise the cars for sale on Facebook Marketplace, charging thousands of dollars m…
West Islip Man Who Embezzled $8.4M From Private School To Buy Cars, Beach Houses Gets Prison West Islip Man Who Embezzled $8.4M From Private School To Buy Cars, Beach Houses Gets Prison
David Ostrove Sentenced For $8.4M Schechter School Theft A former employee at a Long Island private school who lived the high life after embezzling millions of dollars will spend years in prison. David Ostrove, age 52, of West Islip, was sentenced to between 8 ⅓ and 25 years in prison in Suffolk County Court on Wednesday, April 17, following his conviction for grand larceny and money laundering. Prosecutors said Ostrove transferred over $8.4 million from Williston Park’s Schechter School of Long Island into his own personal accounts between March 2014 and April 2022. Earlier Report: West Islip Man Embezzled $8.4M From Private School, Boug…
Suffolk County Duo Forced Women Into Prostitution, DA Says Suffolk County Duo Forced Women Into Prostitution, DA Says
Suffolk County Duo Forced Women Into Prostitution, DA Says A man who allegedly raped a 13-year-old girl is among two Long Island defendants accused of forcing women into prostitution. Danny St. Louis, age 43, of Bay Shore, and Samantha Wimmer, age 37, of Central Islip, were arraigned on a total of 33 criminal charges in Suffolk County Court on Thursday, April 11. Prosecutors said St. Louis advertised and sold women for sex several times to various buyers between March 2023 and March 2024, with Wimmer serving as photographer for pictures that were used in his ads. After taking one victim’s ID and cell phone to prevent her from leaving, St. Louis ma…
Duo Shot 8-Year-Old In Drive-By Attack On Medford Home, DA Says Duo Shot 8-Year-Old In Drive-By Attack On Medford Home, DA Says
Duo Shot 8-Year-Old In Drive-By Attack On Medford Home, DA Says Two alleged gang members have been formally charged in connection with a drive-by shooting at a Long Island home that injured a child. Ersen Kumas, age 19, of Middle Island, was arraigned on assault and related charges in Suffolk County Court on Thursday, April 4. Prosecutors said Kumas and 22-year-old Anthony Peña, of Coram – both alleged members of the Gorilla Stone Blood Gang – took part in a drive-by shooting at a Medford home located on Cedar Avenue early on July 26, 2023. At around 1:30 a.m., the men, joined by an unidentified third suspect, fired multiple shots into the residence, s…
8-Year-Old Who Froze To Death Inside Center Moriches Garage Failed By CPS, Grand Jury Finds 8-Year-Old Who Froze To Death Inside Center Moriches Garage Failed By CPS, Grand Jury Finds
8-Year-Old Who Froze To Death Inside Center Moriches Garage Failed By CPS, Grand Jury Finds A scathing grand jury report found that Child Protective Services (CPS) workers in New York had ample opportunities to save an 8-year-old boy whose years of abuse at the hands of his ex-NYPD officer father culminated in him freezing to death inside a garage. The 71-page report, made public Thursday, April 4, found that Suffolk County CPS received at least 10 reports of abuse or neglect from Thomas Valva’s teachers in the two years leading up to his January 2020 death inside the garage of his Center Moriches home. Valva died of hypothermia after he and his 10-year-old brother Anthony w…
Farmingville Daughter Blew $440K Of Parents' Money On Gambling, DA Says Farmingville Daughter Blew $440K Of Parents' Money On Gambling, DA Says
Farmingville Daughter Blew $440K Of Parents' Money On Gambling, DA Says A Long Island woman is accused of stealing nearly a half million dollars from her elderly parents to blow on gambling. Elizabeth Motti, age 55, of Farmingville, was arraigned on a charge of grand larceny in Suffolk County Court on Wednesday, March 13. Prosecutors allege that Motti stole a total of $440,000 from her parents’ bank accounts between April 2017 and November 2018. The bulk of the money – $355,046 – was obtained through ATM withdrawals at Jake’s 58 Casino in Islandia, investigators said. Another $85,000 was stolen via cash withdrawals from their accounts. At the time of the al…
Dismembered Remains Case: ID Released For 1 Of 2 Victims Found In Babylon, Bethpage Dismembered Remains Case: ID Released For 1 Of 2 Victims Found In Babylon, Bethpage
Dismembered Remains Case: ID Released For 1 Of 2 Victims Found In Babylon, Bethpage For the first time, police have publicly identified one of two murder victims from Westchester County whose mutilated remains were found strewn across Long Island, reigniting the debate over bail reform laws. In an update to the case Monday, March 11, Suffolk County Police identified the female victim as 59-year-old Donna Conneely, whose last known address was in Yonkers. The identity of the male victim is still pending confirmation from the Suffolk County Medical Examiner’s office. Earlier Report: Dismembering Dead Body Would Be Felony Under NY Bill Meant To Remedy 'Ill-Conceived D…
'Indefensible': Suffolk County DA Blasts Hochul Over Criticism Of Severed Body Parts Case 'Indefensible': Suffolk County DA Blasts Hochul Over Criticism Of Severed Body Parts Case
'Indefensible': Suffolk County DA Blasts Hochul Over Criticism Of Severed Body Parts Case Local leaders are outraged over comments Gov. Kathy Hochul made criticizing the investigation into two Westchester County residents whose mutilated corpses were strewn across Long Island. The public back-and-forth began Wednesday, March 6, when Suffolk County District Raymond Tierney blasted reforms to the state’s bail laws that saw four suspects in the case released from custody with GPS monitoring. “Unfortunately, due to ‘bail reform’ passed by the New York State Legislature in 2019, charges relating to the mutilation and disposal of murdered corpses are no longer bail-eligible, meaning m…
Islandia Man Attacked Mother Of His Children With Machete, Threatened Bystander, Jury Finds Islandia Man Attacked Mother Of His Children With Machete, Threatened Bystander, Jury Finds
Islandia Man Attacked Mother Of His Children With Machete, Threatened Bystander, Jury Finds A Long Island man could face decades in prison for attacking the mother of his children with a machete and threatening a neighbor who tried to intervene. The 50-year-old Islandia man, whose name was not released in order to protect the victim’s identity, was convicted of assault and a dozen other charges by a Suffolk County jury on Wednesday, March 6. Prosecutors said the victim first called 911 in March 2022 after spotting the defendant standing outside of her home holding a crowbar and a hunting knife. He immediately began to bang on her window with the crowbar before fleeing when she cal…
'Deplorable': Pimp Forced Suffolk Co. Woman Into Sex Work, Beat Her When She Refused, DA Says 'Deplorable': Pimp Forced Suffolk Co. Woman Into Sex Work, Beat Her When She Refused, DA Says
'Deplorable': Pimp Forced Suffolk Co. Woman Into Sex Work, Beat Her When She Refused, DA Says Formal charges have been filed against a man accused of forcing a Long Island woman into prostitution and allegedly beating her when she refused. Michael Howell, age 64, of Brooklyn, was indicted on sex trafficking and related charges in Suffolk County Court on Thursday, Feb. 29. Prosecutors allege that between September 2022 and February 2024, Howell forced the Suffolk County woman to engage in sexual acts with others for money. He rented hotel rooms and posted ads of the victim on websites typically used to advertise sex work, investigators said. In order to get the woman to comply, How…
Duo Set Fire To PSEG Substations So They Could Burglarize Suffolk County Businesses, DA Says Duo Set Fire To PSEG Substations So They Could Burglarize Suffolk County Businesses, DA Says
Duo Set Fire To Pseg Substations So They Could Burglarize Suffolk County Businesses, DA Says Two men accused in nearly a dozen commercial burglaries on Long Island tried distracting police by setting fires at electrical substations, prosecutors allege. Frank Costa, age 54, of Port Jefferson Station, and Jon Pucci, age 29, of Middle Island, were arraigned on arson and related charges in Suffolk County Court on Tuesday, Feb. 27 According to prosecutors, the men broke into nine Suffolk County businesses – including six convenience stores, a laundry mat, and a deli – between December 2023 and February 2024. Earlier Report: Duo Nabbed For String Of Long Island Business Burglarie…
Repeat Violent Felon Who Opened Fire On Riverhead Crowd Gets Decades In Prison Repeat Violent Felon Who Opened Fire On Riverhead Crowd Gets Decades In Prison
Repeat Violent Felon Who Opened Fire On Riverhead Crowd Gets Decades In Prison A repeat violent felon will spend decades more behind bars for opening fire on a crowd outside a Long Island apartment complex. Messiah Booker, age 38, of Riverhead, was sentenced to 25 years to life in prison in Suffolk County Court on Wednesday, Feb. 28. It came after a jury found him guilty on more than a half dozen counts in connection with a broad daylight shooting at Riverhead’s Riverpointe Apartments in May 2022. Earlier Report: Man Accused Of Firing Shot Near Riverhead Apartment Complex, Police Say According to prosecutors, Booker got into an argument with a teenager in the…
Ex-Worker At Dix Hills Facility Raped Teen Resident While Under Investigation, DA Says Ex-Worker At Dix Hills Facility Raped Teen Resident While Under Investigation, DA Says
Ex-Worker At Dix Hills Facility Raped Teen Resident While Under Investigation, DA Says New details have been released in the case of a former children’s group home employee on Long Island accused of repeatedly raping a 13-year-old resident. Hayden Daley, age 28, of Deer Park, was indicted on multiple counts of rape and related charges in Suffolk County Court on Monday, Feb. 26. Prosecutors said Daley began a sexual relationship with the girl in May 2023 while working as a child support specialist at WellLife Network in Dix Hills, a residential facility for children operated by the New York State Office of Mental Health. Earlier Report: Ex-Employee At Long Island Facil…
Centereach Man Films Rape Of Woman He'd Drugged With Sleeping Pills, DA Says Centereach Man Films Rape Of Woman He'd Drugged With Sleeping Pills, DA Says
Centereach Man Films Rape Of Woman He'd Drugged With Sleeping Pills, DA Says A Long Island man is accused of drugging and raping a woman while filming the abuse. Arthur O’Neal, age 36, of Centereach, was arraigned on felony rape and sexual abuse charges in Suffolk County Court on Friday, Feb. 23. Prosecutors said O’Neal brought the victim to his Centereach residence on Saturday, Dec. 9, 2023, after drugging her with a sleep aid while they had drinks in Huntington. He then sexually assaulted her until she lost consciousness, according to prosecutors. The woman later woke up in a bed next to O’Neal and saw blood on the sheets. She went to a hospital where an examin…
Bay Shore Man Sexually Abused 10-Year-Old Stepdaughter Who Texted 911 For Help, Jury Finds Bay Shore Man Sexually Abused 10-Year-Old Stepdaughter Who Texted 911 For Help, Jury Finds
Bay Shore Man Sexually Abused 10-Year-Old Stepdaughter Who Texted 911 For Help, Jury Finds A Long Island man could spend decades in prison for sexually abusing his underage stepdaughter. The 45-year-old Bay Shore man, who prosecutors are not naming to protect the child’s identity, was found guilty of multiple sex crimes by a Suffolk County jury on Thursday, Feb. 22. Prosecutors said the man abused the girl on three different occasions between August and October 2021 while her mother was at work. At the time, she was 10 and 11 years old. The abuse ended when the girl sent a text message to 911 reporting that her stepfather was trying to have sex with her, and that he had sexually…
East Hampton Man Admits Raping 11-Year-Old Multiple Times East Hampton Man Admits Raping 11-Year-Old Multiple Times
East Hampton Man Admits Raping 11-Year-Old Multiple Times A man from Long Island faces a decade behind bars after he admitted to repeatedly raping a young girl over the course of a year. The man, a 20-year-old from East Hampton, entered his guilty plea on Wednesday, Feb. 14, the Suffolk County District Attorney announced. According to his guilty plea, the man (who has not been named in order to protect the victim’s identity) met and began talking to his victim when he was 18 and she was 11. He would talk to the girl over the phone and tell her that she was his girlfriend. Then, in November 2021, he began to ask the girl if she would have sex w…
ID Thief Admits Stealing $10K From Suffolk County Residents ID Thief Admits Stealing $10K From Suffolk County Residents
ID Thief Admits Stealing $10K From Suffolk County Residents An admitted identity thief is facing prison time after stealing nearly $10,000 from two Long Island victims. Donald Archibald, age 44, of the Bronx, pleaded guilty to multiple counts of grand larceny and related charges in Suffolk County Court on Friday, Feb. 9. Prosecutors said Archibald obtained a Suffolk County resident’s address and personal information from the dark web in April 2023 and used it to make a fake driver’s license with that person’s information but his own photo. He then went to an M&T Bank in Bridgeport, Connecticut and used the phony ID to withdraw $2,000 from the v…
21-Year-Old Street Racer Admits Causing Huntington Crash That Killed Husband, Father 21-Year-Old Street Racer Admits Causing Huntington Crash That Killed Husband, Father
21-Year-Old Street Racer Admits Causing Huntington Crash That Killed Husband, Father A 21-year-old man formally admitted causing a street racing crash on Long Island that killed a husband and father. Jesus Bonilla, of Commack, pleaded guilty to manslaughter and related charges in Suffolk County Court on Thursday, Feb. 8, in the death of James Beck. According to prosecutors, Bonilla was racing another car on Jericho Turnpike when he struck Beck in Huntington Station on the night of Nov. 19, 2022. Moments before the crash, witnesses saw Bonilla speeding westbound on Jericho Turnpike in a Honda sedan while racing an SUV. Both vehicles were seen driving side by side, running r…
Attempted Murder: West Babylon Man Found Guilty Of Attacking Wife In Front Of Kids Attempted Murder: West Babylon Man Found Guilty Of Attacking Wife In Front Of Kids
Attempted Murder: West Babylon Man Found Guilty Of Attacking Wife In Front Of Kids A jury found a Long Island man guilty of attempting to kill his wife, stabbing her multiple times in front of their two young daughters, officials announced. The 46-year-old West Babylon man, who has not been named in an effort to protect the victims’ identities, received his conviction on Monday, Feb. 5, according to the Suffolk County District Attorney. On the morning of Wednesday, June 15, 2023, the man’s wife was sleeping in the bedroom of the couple’s two daughters, ages 5 and 11, after telling the man that she wanted to end their marriage. According to the trial evidence, he knock…
'Sheer Horror': Son Tried Saving Mom After She Was Fatally Stabbed By Lindenhurst Husband: DA 'Sheer Horror': Son Tried Saving Mom After She Was Fatally Stabbed By Lindenhurst Husband: DA
'Sheer Horror': Son Tried Saving Mom After She Was Fatally Stabbed By Lindenhurst Husband: DA New details are shedding light on the terrifying moments a Long Island man allegedly stabbed his wife to death in front of their teenage son. Ryszard Murawski, age 44, of Lindenhurst, was indicted on murder and related charges in Suffolk County Court on Thursday, Jan. 18, in the death of Wioleta Murawski. Emergency crews were called to the couple’s Lindenhurst residence on South 14th Street at around 8:30 p.m. Wednesday, Jan. 3, after their 15-year-old son called 911 saying that his father had stabbed his mother. Earlier Report - New Update: Husband Charged With Murder In Wife's Stabbing…
'Disgraced His Role As A Father': Brentwood Dad Admits Raping 5-Year-Old Daughter 'Disgraced His Role As A Father': Brentwood Dad Admits Raping 5-Year-Old Daughter
'Disgraced His Role As A Father': Brentwood Dad Admits Raping 5-Year-Old Daughter A Long Island man is facing more than a decade behind bars after confessing to sexually abusing his young daughter. The 45-year-old Brentwood man – who prosecutors are not naming in order to protect the victim’s identity – pleaded guilty to rape and related charges in Suffolk County Court on Wednesday, Jan. 10. Prosecutors said the abuse happened in July 2021 while the man was alone with his 5-year-old daughter at his apartment. The child’s mother – who was estranged from the man – asked a relative to check on the girl after speaking to him on the phone and believing he was drinking alcoho…
Victim Left Wheelchair-Bound After Facebook Scam By Wheatley Heights 23-Year-Old, DA Says Victim Left Wheelchair-Bound After Facebook Scam By Wheatley Heights 23-Year-Old, DA Says
Victim Left Wheelchair-Bound After Facebook Scam By Wheatley Heights 23-Year-Old, DA Says A Long Island man is facing a host of charges in connection with an alleged Facebook Marketplace scam that left the victim confined to a wheelchair. Jordan Behling, age 23, of Wheatley Heights, was arraigned on assault and related charges in Suffolk County Court on Tuesday, Jan. 9. According to prosecutors, the victim agreed to meet Behling on Friday, June 16, 2023 to purchase a PlayStation 5 gaming console that Behling had listed on Facebook Marketplace. At around 7:15 p.m., Behling pulled up to the victim’s home in an SUV and the victim handed him $280 in cash through the window. Once h…
Enough Fentanyl To Kill 117K Found At Couple's Greenport Home With Child, DA Says Enough Fentanyl To Kill 117K Found At Couple's Greenport Home With Child, DA Says
Enough Fentanyl To Kill 117K Found At Couple's Greenport Home With Child, DA Says A Long Island couple’s kitchen pantry had enough fentanyl inside to kill tens of thousands of people, prosecutors allege. Tammy and Victoria Webster, both of Greenport, were arraigned on over a dozen drug and related charges in Suffolk County Court on Monday, Dec. 18. According to prosecutors, officers raided the couple’s home in early December 2023 and found Tammy Webster in her car with fentanyl and cocaine. Inside the home, they found Victoria Webster with the couple’s 2-year-old child. A search of the residence turned up 234 grams of fentanyl and 44 grams of cocaine that was stored in…
New Update: Dozens Of Students Accuse 'Revered' Ex-Bay Shore Teacher Of Sexual Abuse, DA Says New Update: Dozens Of Students Accuse 'Revered' Ex-Bay Shore Teacher Of Sexual Abuse, DA Says
New Update: Dozens Of Students Accuse 'Revered' Ex-Bay Shore Teacher Of Sexual Abuse, DA Says This story has been updated. Dozens of former students have accused a retired elementary school teacher on Long Island of sexual abuse dating back decades. Thomas Bernagozzi, age 75, of Babylon, was arrested on sex crimes charges Thursday, Dec. 21, following an investigation by Suffolk County Police. Prosecutors said Bernagozzi, who taught in the Bay Shore School District, sexually abused two male students between the late 1980s and early 2000s. He was charged with one count of course of sexual conduct against a child and one count of sodomy, both violent felonies. At the time of the all…
Woman Who Struck Triathlete During Shirley Race Was Speeding On Suspended License, DA Says Woman Who Struck Triathlete During Shirley Race Was Speeding On Suspended License, DA Says
Woman Who Struck Triathlete During Shirley Race Was Speeding On Suspended License, DA Says A woman accused of driving into a closed racecourse and striking a triathlete bicyclist on Long Island should not have been behind the wheel, prosecutors said. Jakeline Figueroa, age 29, of Westbury, was arraigned on nearly a half dozen criminal charges in Suffolk County Court on Wednesday, Dec. 20. Prosecutors said Figueroa was speeding in her SUV when she drove through a stop bar and into a triathlon event in the parking lot of Smith Point Beach in Shirley on Sunday, Aug. 6. Earlier Report: Triathlete 'Fighting For His Life' After Being Struck By Car During Shirley Race Moments …
Shirley Man Who Sexually Abused Stepdaughter For Months Gets Decades In Prison Shirley Man Who Sexually Abused Stepdaughter For Months Gets Decades In Prison
Shirley Man Who Sexually Abused Stepdaughter For Months Gets Decades In Prison A Long Island man will spend decades behind bars for subjecting his young stepdaughter to months of sexual abuse. The 43-year-old Shirley man, who prosecutors are not naming to protect the victim’s identity, was sentenced to 23 years in prison in Suffolk County Court on Tuesday, Dec. 19. It followed his jury conviction for multiple sex crimes in November 2023. According to prosecutors, the man began abusing the girl in July 2016 when she was nine years old. The abuse would occur while her mother was at work. He often threatened the girl in order to keep the abuse quiet, investigators said…
Medford Mother Admits Suffocating Twin Toddler Daughters: 'She Executed Them' Medford Mother Admits Suffocating Twin Toddler Daughters: 'She Executed Them'
Medford Mother Admits Suffocating Twin Toddler Daughters A Long Island mother has admitted to suffocating her twin toddler daughters. Tenia Campbell, age 28, of Medford, pleaded guilty to two counts of murder in Suffolk County Court on Monday, Dec. 11 in connection with the girls’ killings in June 2019. Prosecutors said Campbell’s mother called 911 at around 2:40 p.m. on June 27, 2019, saying Campbell was driving around in the family van threatening to kill her daughters. The call prompted a large-scale police search between Medford and Montauk. Finally, at around 4 p.m. an East Hampton Police officer spotted the van off Montauk Highway, a few …
Teachers' Union Treasurer In Bellport Admits Embezzling Over $20K In Dues Teachers' Union Treasurer In Bellport Admits Embezzling Over $20K In Dues
Teachers' Union Treasurer In Bellport Admits Embezzling Over $20K In Dues The former treasurer of a teachers’ union on Long Island has admitted embezzling tens of thousands of dollars in union dues. Fannie Bowe, age 54, of Bellport, pleaded guilty to grand larceny in Suffolk County Court on Wednesday, Dec. 6, following an investigation into questionable expenses at the Bellport Teachers Association Affiliates. In October 2020, she was elected as treasurer of the union, which represents teacher assistants and school aides at the South Country Central School District, headquartered in East Patchogue. She also worked as a school monitor for the district. Earlier…
Syosset Attorney Steals $200K From Clients, Including Lottery Winner: DA Syosset Attorney Steals $200K From Clients, Including Lottery Winner: DA
Syosset Attorney Steals $200K From Clients, Including Lottery Winner: DA A Long Island attorney is accused of stealing hundreds of thousands of dollars from her clients, including a lottery winner. Daphne Zekaria, age 54, of Syosset, was arraigned on grand larceny and related charges in Suffolk County Court on Tuesday, Dec. 5. According to prosecutors, she was hired by a New York State Lottery winner in December 2021 while working as a partner at the Huntington law firm Sokolski and Zekaria, P.C. An investigation found that she promised to hold a portion of her client’s money in the firm’s escrow account and invest an additional portion on his behalf. However,…
18-Year-Old Speeding, On Phone Moments Before Crash Killing West Babylon Man, DA Says 18-Year-Old Speeding, On Phone Moments Before Crash Killing West Babylon Man, DA Says
18-Year-Old Speeding, On Phone Moments Before Crash Killing West Babylon Man, DA Says An 18-year-old has been charged in connection with an alleged distracted driving crash that killed a Long Island man. Nicolas Apostolides, of West Babylon, was arraigned on manslaughter and related charges in Suffolk County Court on Friday, Dec. 1, in the death of David Martinez. According to prosecutors, Apostolides was speeding and using his phone when he ran a red light and crashed into another car on Straight Path in West Babylon at around 5:30 a.m. on Sunday, April 16. Martinez, age 63, of West Babylon, was taken to Good Samaritan University Hospital in West Islip where he died from …
Brentwood Man Who Posed As Cop For Store Discounts Gets Years In Prison Brentwood Man Who Posed As Cop For Store Discounts Gets Years In Prison
Brentwood Man Who Posed As Cop For Store Discounts Gets Years In Prison A Long Island man will spend years in prison after admitting that he impersonated a police officer in order to save a buck. Eric Diaz, age 43, of Brentwood, was sentenced to two to four years behind bars in Suffolk County Court on Monday, Nov. 13. It followed his earlier guilty plea to felony criminal possession of a forged instrument after he was busted with multiple fraudulent NYPD identification cards. Earlier Report: Brentwood Man Admits Posing As NYPD Officer To Get Store Discounts According to prosecutors, Diaz posed as a cop on multiple occasions while visiting a retail sto…