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Criminal Justice

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…
Judge's 'Racist' Words Cut 10 Years Off Area's Man Prison Sentence Judge's 'Racist' Words Cut 10 Years Off Area's Man Prison Sentence
Judge's 'Racist' Words Cut 10 Years Off Area's Man Prison Sentence An area man had 10 years shaved off his prison sentence after a panel of appeals judges ruled against the presiding judge for making racists comments during sentencing. Retired Judge Frank Labuda’s remarks at Angelo Johnson’s 2018 sentencing for burglary in Sullivan County were slammed by the appellate panel as being an outrageous 19th-century racist ideology that claimed that Blacks were inferior because they had smaller brains. During Johnson's trial Labuda told him he pitied him because his brain was “probably retarded in growth” and repeatedly ordered his mouth bound with mask…
Four Charged With Crack Cocaine Distribution In Westchester Four Charged With Crack Cocaine Distribution In Westchester
Four Charged With Crack Cocaine Distribution In Westchester Four men have been arrested in connection with running a crack cocaine distribution ring in Northern Westchester County. According to Audrey Strauss, Acting U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of New York, the men, Jordan Campbell, Derrick Dickey, Terrance Patterson, and Johnnie Thomas, were arrested on Wednesday, Dec. 2. As alleged in the indictment unsealed in White Plains federal court, the four conspired to distribute at least 280 grams or more of crack cocaine between March 2020 and August 2020. Each faces a maximum term of life in prison and a mandatory minimum term of 10 ye…
New Rochelle Officials React After Grand Jury Does Not Indict Cop Who Shot, Killed Man New Rochelle Officials React After Grand Jury Does Not Indict Cop Who Shot, Killed Man
New Rochelle Officials React After Grand Jury Does Not Indict Cop Who Shot, Killed Man New Rochelle officials expressed their support for the city’s police department after a Westchester County grand jury opted not to indict an officer who was involved in the fatal shooting of an African American man over the summer. On Wednesday, Nov. 4, Westchester County District Attorney Anthony Scarpino, Jr. announced that a grand jury opted not to indict New Rochelle Police Officer Alec McKenna for his role in the shooting of Kamal Flowers on Friday, June 5. Earlier story - Grand Jury Does Not Indict New Rochelle Police Officer Who Shot, Killed 24-Year-Old Black Man Flowers, a convict…
Convicted Felon, Gang Member, Busted With Loaded Weapon In Westchester Convicted Felon, Gang Member, Busted With Loaded Weapon In Westchester
Convicted Felon, Gang Member, Busted With Loaded Weapon In Westchester A convicted felon and known gang member with additional felony charges pending in Connecticut was busted with a loaded weapon by local and federal law enforcement officials in Westchester County. Dante McAllister was stopped by Mount Vernon Police detectives and ATF Task Force officers at approximately 10:45 a.m. on Thursday, Oct. 22 outside a Franklin Avenue apartment building. At the time he was stopped, police said that McAllister, who has a prior violent felony conviction in New York, was in possession of a loaded Smith & Wesson firearm hidden in the right front pocket of his jacke…
Kennedy Cousin Michael Skakel Will Not Be Retried For Martha Moxley Murder Kennedy Cousin Michael Skakel Will Not Be Retried For Martha Moxley Murder
Kennedy Cousin Michael Skakel Will Not Be Retried For Martha Moxley Murder Kennedy cousin Michael Skakel will not be retired for the death of Martha Moxley in the Belle Haven section of Greenwich in 1975. In a stunning announcement, Connecticut Chief State’s attorney Richard Colangelo said on Friday, Oct. 30, that he would not retry Skakel because he could not prove the case beyond a reasonable doubt. While speaking before Stamford Superior Court Judge Gary White, Colangelo said a recent review of the case showed that of the 51 potential witnesses, 17 had died. He also said he had reviewed all the evidence and could find nothing new to use in a trial. N…
Former Teacher In Westchester Admits To Sexually Abusing Student Former Teacher In Westchester Admits To Sexually Abusing Student
Former Teacher In Westchester Admits To Sexually Abusing Student A former teacher in the area will spend time behind bars and register as a sex offender after admitting to rape and other charges involving a teenage student. White Plains resident John Fraioli, 35, pleaded guilty this week to criminal sexual act and rape after assaulting his child victim on more than one occasion last year, Westchester County District Attorney Anthony Scarpino, Jr. announced. At the time of the sexual assaults, his victim was a student at New Rochelle High School, where Fraioli was a teacher. Fraioli was first arrested by New Rochelle Police investigators after he engaged…
Politics 2020: Rob Astorino Poll Politics 2020: Rob Astorino Poll
Politics 2020: Rob Astorino Poll State Senator Peter Harckham’s controversial no-cash-bail law allows the immediate release of career criminals for crimes including: Criminal possession of a gun on school grounds; Criminal sale of a controlled substance on/near school grounds; Criminal sale of a firearm to a minor; Patronizing a person for prostitution in a school zone; Failure to register as a sex offender; Promoting or possessing an obscene sexual performance by a child; Animal torture; Arson in the third and fourth degree; and Manslaughter in the second degree. Rob Astorino wants immediate repeal of the Harckham no-cash-b…
Westchester Man Charged For 2017 Slaying Of 47-Year-Old Westchester Man Charged For 2017 Slaying Of 47-Year-Old
Westchester Man Charged For 2017 Slaying Of 47-Year-Old A suspect from Westchester County has been charged for a 2017 slaying in Sullivan County. Naheem Liles, 22, of Mount Vernon has been charged with felony second-degree murder in connection with the Sept. 30, 2017 shooting death of Shaun Chadwick, 47, of Liberty.  Liles was arrested on Thursday, June 4 in New York City by officers from the Monticello Police Department, Sullivan County District Attorney’s Office and New York State Police. Police say Liles, acting in concert with another person, shot Chadwick in the area of Holmes Street and Wood Avenue in the Village of Monticello. An i…
College Student Wanted For String Of Killings Apprehended College Student Wanted For String Of Killings Apprehended
College Student Wanted For String Of Killings Apprehended A college student from Fairfield County wanted for a string of killings, a home invasion and a kidnapping been apprehended. Peter Manfredonia, 23, a 2015 Newtown High School graduate, was apprehended in Hagerstown, Maryland Wednesday night, May 27 after five days on the run. Connecticut State Police announced it was at the scene in Maryland and said there were "no injuries to any law enforcement personnel or Manfredonia." More information will be provided on Thursday, May 28, Connecticut state police said. Since the first of the two homicides in Connecticut happened on Friday, May 22…
Alert Issued For Man Wanted For Grand Larceny In Westchester Alert Issued For Man Wanted For Grand Larceny In Westchester
Alert Issued For Man Wanted For Grand Larceny In Westchester New York State Police investigators are seeking the public’s assistance in tracking down a wanted man who stole $1,500 through a phony apartment scheme. Vincent Latella, 36, is wanted by State Police in Northern Westchester after being arrested and charged with fourth-degree grand larceny. He later failed to show up in court and a warrant was issued for his arrest by the Town of Somers Court. It is alleged that Latella created a fraudulent apartment for rent advertisement and stole $1,500 from his unsuspecting victim. Latella - who also goes by the names Vincent Rice and Vincent Brown - wa…
Suspect Nabbed After 23-Year-Old Shot, Killed In Westchester Suspect Nabbed After 23-Year-Old Shot, Killed In Westchester
Suspect Nabbed After 23-Year-Old Shot, Killed In Westchester A 23-year-old man was found fatally shot at a home in Westchester and a suspect is in custody, though police have released few other details regarding the incident. Police apprehended a shooter, also 23, in the Bronx on Sunday, April 26, hours after the shooting in Mount Vernon on South Third Avenue, officials said.  The identities of the shooter and victim have not been released by investigators, nor have the charges filed against the shooter. The victim reportedly was a taxi driver and was an acquaintance of the shooter. It is unclear what the motive of the shooting was. The shootin…
New Distribution Of More Than $378M Allotted To Madoff Ponzi Scheme Victims New Distribution Of More Than $378M Allotted To Madoff Ponzi Scheme Victims
New Distribution Of More Than $378M Allotted To Madoff Ponzi Scheme Victims Thousands of Bernie Madoff’s Ponzi Scheme victims will be receiving their portions of the fifth distribution of more than $378 million this week. U.S. Attorney Geoffrey Berman announced that the Madoff Victim Fund will be distributing $378.5 million to more than 26,000 of his victims involved in the fraud scheme. To date, approximately $2.7 billion has been distributed to Madoff’s victims. Berman said that the fifth payment will bring the victims’ total recovery to 73.65 percent of their losses.  Ultimately, more than $4 billion will be returned due to losses suffered in Madoff’s Ponz…
Man Convicted Of Raping 9-Year-Old In Area Man Convicted Of Raping 9-Year-Old In Area
Man Convicted Of Raping 9-Year-Old In Area A Putnam County man will face up to 25 years in prison after being convicted by a jury of raping a child repeatedly. Putnam County District Attorney Robert Tendy announced on Thursday, March 12, that Mahopac resident Khori Salmon, was found guilty of two counts of first-degree rape and course of sexual conduct against a child dating back to incidents that began in 2018. Tendy said that Salmon’s course of sexual conduct against his child victim began when he resided in the Bronx, where he sexually abused the 9-year-old victim.  Salmon moved to Putnam County in 2017, and his abuse conti…
Closed-Door Negotiations Could Result In Change To Controversial NY Bail Reform Measure Closed-Door Negotiations Could Result In Change To Controversial NY Bail Reform Measure
Closed-Door Negotiations Could Result In Change To Controversial NY Bail Reform Measure Could New York's bail reform laws that took effect this year soon be a thing of the past? Gov. Andrew Cuomo and State Senate Majority Leader Andrea Stewart-Cousins reportedly met behind closed doors this week to discuss the much-maligned and oft-criticized newly enacted bail reform laws. The two were reportedly looking to make potential changes to the law before the New York State budget has to be signed into law on Wednesday, April 1. As of Wednesday, Jan. 1, thousands of inmates throughout the state were put back on the streets due to Cuomo’s bail reform legislation, which marked the en…
Woman Admits To Stabbing Co-Worker To Death At Irvington Restaurant Woman Admits To Stabbing Co-Worker To Death At Irvington Restaurant
Woman Admits To Stabbing Co-Worker To Death At Irvington Restaurant A woman has admitted to fatally stabbing a co-worker in a Westchester restaurant where she had been working for just a few days. Manhattan resident Rosa Ramirez, 29, pleaded guilty in State Supreme Court to second-degree murder for killing a co-worker at the River City Grille on Broadway in Irvington on April 10, 2018. Westchester County District Attorney Anthony Scarpino, Jr., said that Ramirez was working as a dishwasher in the kitchen with other members of the staff on the day of the stabbing.  Shortly after 11 a.m. that day, Ramirez attacked the prep cook, 38-year-old Bonifacio Ro…
Vote Now: New Poll Says Most Think New Bail Reform Laws Are Bad For NY - What Do You Think? Vote Now: New Poll Says Most Think New Bail Reform Laws Are Bad For NY - What Do You Think?
Vote Now: New Poll Says Most Think New Bail Reform Laws Are Bad For NY - What Do You Think? New Yorkers have turned against the new bail reform laws that ended cash bail for all misdemeanor and non-violent felony offenders in New York, according to a new poll. As of Wednesday, Jan. 1, thousands of inmates throughout the state were put back on the streets due to New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo’s bail reform legislation, which marked the end of cash bail for misdemeanor and non-violent felony offenders that were previously incarcerated. The reform has come under fire from both the community, some law enforcement agencies, and elected officials, who believe that Cuomo should revisit the …
Convicted Felon Sentenced For Stealing Credit Card From Gym Locker In Westchester Convicted Felon Sentenced For Stealing Credit Card From Gym Locker In Westchester
Convicted Felon Sentenced For Stealing Credit Card From Gym Locker In Westchester A Westchester man already on probation with six prior felony convictions has been sentenced to more time in prison after he admitted to breaking into sports club lockers and stealing and using his victim’s credit card. Ivan Vrabec, 49, of New Rochelle, was sentenced to four years in state prison after pleading guilty in Westchester County Court to one count of first-degree identity theft, following a pair of incidents involving stolen credit cards taken from gym lockers at sports clubs. Westchester County District Attorney Anthony Scarpino, Jr., said that on Dec. 14, 2018, Vrabec opened the…
NY Needs To Revisit Bail Reform Laws, State Attorney General Says NY Needs To Revisit Bail Reform Laws, State Attorney General Says
NY Needs To Revisit Bail Reform Laws, State Attorney General Says New York State Attorney General Letitia James has become to latest voice to speak out against the recently enacted statewide bail reform laws. As of Wednesday, Jan. 1, thousands of inmates throughout the state were put back on the streets due to New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo’s bail reform legislation, which marked the end of cash bail for misdemeanor and non-violent felony offenders that were previously incarcerated. The reform has come under fire from both the community, law enforcement agencies, and elected officials, who believe that Cuomo should revisit the law for possible changes in the …
Cop From Area Resigns After Breaking Into Home, Threatening Family Cop From Area Resigns After Breaking Into Home, Threatening Family
Cop From Area Resigns After Breaking Into Home, Threatening Family An NYPD officer from the Hudson Valley who allegedly terrorized an African-American family while in Nashville for a bachelor party has resigned. Rockland County resident Michael J. Reynolds is out of a job after he pleaded guilty to assault and aggravated criminal trespassing after he broke into a Nashville home next to his Airbnb and shouted threats and racial slurs. The 26-year-old police officer officially resigned from the NYPD this week as activists called for his job. He had been on modified-duty status as the incident was investigated. Reynolds was set to appear at police headquarte…