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Police Misconduct

Man's Murder Conviction Vacated After Over 20 Years Following Westchester DA Investigation Man's Murder Conviction Vacated After Over 20 Years Following Westchester DA Investigation
Man's Murder Conviction Vacated After Over 20 Years Following Westchester DA Investigation After serving nearly two decades in prison, a 54-year-old man's murder conviction has been vacated by a judge thanks to an investigation conducted by the Westchester County District Attorney's Office.  In an announcement on Thursday, Sept. 26, Westchester District Attorney Miriam Rocah said that a Bronx judge vacated the 1999 murder conviction of Antonio Mallet, who had been accused of fatally shooting a man in the parking lot of a Bronx supermarket in September 1996.  Rocah said that the decision to vacate the conviction followed an "exhaustive" investigation conducted by her off…
City In Westchester To Pay $50K To Activist As Part Of Settled Civil Rights Lawsuit City In Westchester To Pay $50K To Activist As Part Of Settled Civil Rights Lawsuit
City In Westchester To Pay $50K To Activist As Part Of Settled Civil Rights Lawsuit A city in Westchester will pay $50,000 to an activist as part of a settled civil rights lawsuit filed after his arrest at a city council meeting.  According to court documents filed in July in the US District Court for the Southern District of New York, the City of Yonkers will pay the sum to settle a lawsuit filed by activist Hector Santiago in September 2023 following his arrest at a city council meeting in 2022.  In the lawsuit, Santiago claimed his rights were violated when he was detained during a Yonkers City Council meeting on Nov. 22, 2022. According to the lawsuit complai…
Police Lieutenant Suspended As Part Of Investigation Into Mishandled Evidence In Westchester Police Lieutenant Suspended As Part Of Investigation Into Mishandled Evidence In Westchester
Police Lieutenant Suspended As Part Of Investigation Into Mishandled Evidence In Westchester A police lieutenant in Westchester has been suspended following allegations that he may have deliberately mishandled evidence during a drug investigation, authorities announced.  In an announcement on Thursday, Aug. 1, the New Rochelle Police Department revealed one of their lieutenants has been suspended in connection with the allegations.  The events leading up to the suspension and subsequent investigation began on Tuesday, July 16, when the department received information alleging the lieutenant purposefully mishandled evidence during a drug investigation that led to…
Officer Put On Restricted Duty After Investigation Into Use Of Force In Westchester: Police Officer Put On Restricted Duty After Investigation Into Use Of Force In Westchester: Police
Officer Put On Restricted Duty After Investigation Into Use Of Force In Westchester: Police A police officer in Westchester was put on restricted duty following an investigation into his use of force while apprehending a suspect who led authorities on a pursuit.  In an announcement on Friday, March 29, the Yonkers Police Department revealed that one of their officers was placed on restricted duty in connection with their conduct during an incident on Thursday, March 14. According to the department, just after 9:45 p.m. on the day of the incident, a victim went up to Yonkers officers in the area of McLean and Van Cortlandt Park Avenues and told them his vehicle had just b…
Sergeant From Hudson Valley Charged After Throwing Cooler, Killing Suspect: NY AG Sergeant From Hudson Valley Charged After Throwing Cooler, Killing Suspect: NY AG
Sergeant From Hudson Valley Charged After Throwing Cooler, Killing Suspect: NY AG A police sergeant from the Hudson Valley faces manslaughter charges after throwing a cooler at a suspect while the person was driving a motorized scooter, causing their death, officials announced.  Putnam County resident Erik Duran of Mahopac, age 36, a New York City Police Department sergeant, was indicted and arraigned on charges in connection with the August 2023 death of Eric Duprey, New York Attorney General Letitia James announced on Tuesday, Jan. 23.  According to James's office, around 5 p.m. on Wednesday, Aug. 23, members of the NYPD's Narcotics Boroug…
Man's Stun Gun, Fire Death At NY Police Station Doesn't Warrant Criminal Charges, AG Says Man's Stun Gun, Fire Death At NY Police Station Doesn't Warrant Criminal Charges, AG Says
Man's Stun Gun, Fire Death At NY Police Station Doesn't Warrant Criminal Charges, AG Says Three New York police officers are off the hook for criminal charges in the death of a man who caught fire after being hit with a stun gun. The New York Attorney General’s Office of Special Investigation (OSI) found that a prosecutor would not be able to prove that the three officers, all members of the Catskill Police Department in Greene County, committed a crime in the October 2021 death of Jason Jones. Therefore, no criminal charges against the officers will be pursued, the AG’s office announced Friday, Oct. 13. The 29-year-old Jones walked into the Catskill Police Department on Oct. …
Detective Accused Of Assaulting 14-Year-Old At Restaurant In Hudson Valley Detective Accused Of Assaulting 14-Year-Old At Restaurant In Hudson Valley
Detective Accused Of Assaulting 14-Year-Old At Restaurant In Hudson Valley A detective at a local police department was placed on unpaid leave and could potentially be fired for allegedly assaulting a boy at a restaurant in the Hudson Valley. The incident took place in Orange County on Saturday, May 6 at the Olde Erie Restaurant located at 7 West Main St., in Middletown. According to Middletown Police Lt. Jeffry Thoelen, it was reported to the Middletown Police Department that Detective Fredrick Slanovec was involved in an off-duty incident while attending a private party at the Olde Erie Restaurant. It is alleged that the detective had a physical altercatio…
Drug Convictions, Charges Should Be Vacated For 27 People Due To Errors, Westchester DA Says Drug Convictions, Charges Should Be Vacated For 27 People Due To Errors, Westchester DA Says
Drug Convictions, Charges Should Be Vacated For 27 People Due To Errors, Westchester DA Says This story has been corrected. Officials are seeking to reverse drug-related charges and convictions of 27 people after the Westchester District Attorney's Office found a number of inconsistencies and errors involved in their prosecution that were also related to a criminal investigation into a police department in the county.  A total of 27 individuals were either charged or convicted for allegedly selling drugs to a Westchester County Police/Department of Public Safety undercover officer during a 2017 narcotics operation conducted by the Mount Vernon Police Department, acco…
Officer Under Investigation For Response To Street Fight Involving Brothers In Westchester Officer Under Investigation For Response To Street Fight Involving Brothers In Westchester
Officer Under Investigation For Response To Street Fight Involving Brothers In Westchester A police officer is under investigation following accusations they mishandled the response to a street fight that broke out near a bar in Westchester County. Yonkers Police were called at around 6:30 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 25 with reports of a street fight that had broken out near Yonkers and Ridgewood avenues, police said. When officers arrived, they witnessed two men assaulting another man. The victim was repeatedly punched and kicked, including being kicked in the head while on the ground, according to police. A subsequent investigation revealed that several men had been at the bar when a…
Ex-Police Officer In Westchester Sentenced For Sexually Abusing Woman Ex-Police Officer In Westchester Sentenced For Sexually Abusing Woman
Ex-Police Officer In Westchester Sentenced For Sexually Abusing Woman A former police officer at a department in Northern Westchester has been sentenced for sexually abusing a woman on multiple occasions while he was on duty. Former Peekskill Police Officer Michael Agovino was sentenced to seven years in prison on Thursday, June 23, for sexually abusing the woman between 2019 and 2020. A resident of Rockland County, Agovino, age 36, of Orangetown, previously pled guilty on March 17, as part of a plea deal that promised a sentence of seven years in state prison, with 15 years of post-release supervision, and the requirement that he register as a…
Former Westchester Police Officer Sentenced For Assaulting Handcuffed Inmate Former Westchester Police Officer Sentenced For Assaulting Handcuffed Inmate
Former Westchester Police Officer Sentenced For Assaulting Handcuffed Inmate A former police officer in Westchester will avoid jail time after admitting that he assaulted a handcuffed inmate in his custody. James Ready, age 27, of Putnam Valley, was sentenced to three years of probation Tuesday, June 14, according to the Westchester County DA’s office. It followed his guilty plea to a misdemeanor assault charge in August 2021. Earlier report: Former Police Officer In Westchester Admits To Assaulting Handcuffed Prisoner Ready was working as a probation officer with the Mount Vernon Police Department on Nov. 23, 2019 when he was placed in charge of an inmate receiv…
Retired NY Cop Nabbed For Carrying Weapons, Fake Badge Near US Capitol, Police Say Retired NY Cop Nabbed For Carrying Weapons, Fake Badge Near US Capitol, Police Say
Retired NY Cop Nabbed For Carrying Weapons, Fake Badge Near US Capitol, Police Say A former New York police officer was arrested for carrying a fake badge, weapons and ammunition  outside the US Capitol, authorities said. Jerome Felipe, age 53, who relocated to Flint, Michigan, parked his 2017 Dodge Charger near Peace Circle on the west side of the Capitol shortly before 5 a.m. on Friday, June 3, according to US Capitol Police.  Felipe had served in the NYPD, according to multiple reports, including The Sun. When questioned by officers, Felipe showed them a fake badge that had "Department of the INTERPOL" printed on it. Felipe also said he was a criminal invest…
NY State Police Trooper Charged With Murder In Hudson Valley NY State Police Trooper Charged With Murder In Hudson Valley
NY State Police Trooper Charged With Murder In Hudson Valley A New York State Police trooper is facing a murder charge for killing an 11-year-old girl during a high-speed pursuit in the Hudson Valley, the state Attorney General announced. Christopher Baldner has been indicted on charges that include murder for using his police vehicle to ram a car occupied by four members of a Brooklyn family in Ulster County, resulting in the death of an 11-year-old girl. Monica GoodsGoFundMe Specifically, New York Attorney General Letitia James announced that Baldner was charged with second-degree murder, manslaughter, and reckless endangerment. The move comes…
Councilman Arrested After Challenging Trooper During Traffic Stop In Area, Police Say Councilman Arrested After Challenging Trooper During Traffic Stop In Area, Police Say
Councilman Arrested After Challenging Trooper During Traffic Stop In Area, Police Say A controversial councilman in the Hudson Valley has been arrested for goading police into arresting him after he was stopped for running a red light. Orange County's Omari Shakur, age 65, a city of Newburgh councilmember, was arrested Thursday, Aug. 5, when he refused to show his identification and said to the trooper, "(Expeletive deleted) you, arrest me," during the traffic stop, said Trooper Steven Nevel.  Nevel said Shakur has exhibited anti-police behavior in the past, and for "some reason doesn't think he has to show identification or cooperate with the police." He was placed un…
Former Police Officer In Westchester Admits To Assaulting Handcuffed Prisoner Former Police Officer In Westchester Admits To Assaulting Handcuffed Prisoner
Former Police Officer In Westchester Admits To Assaulting Handcuffed Prisoner A former police officer in Westchester is expected to avoid jail time after reaching a plea agreement for his role in beating a suspect in custody who was handcuffed and shackled, authorities announced. James Ready, age 27, of Putnam Valley, pleaded guilty this week to falsifying business records, a felony, and reckless assault, a misdemeanor, following an incident with a prisoner in 2019 in Mount Vernon. Westchester County District Attorney Mimi Rocah said that on Nov. 23, 2019, Ready, who was a probationary officer with the Mount Vernon Police Department, was in charge of a susp…
Investigation Launched Into State Police Role In Death Of Girl In Hudson Valley Investigation Launched Into State Police Role In Death Of Girl In Hudson Valley
Investigation Launched Into State Police Role In Death Of Girl In Hudson Valley An investigation is being launched following the death of an 11-year-old girl during an incident involving New York State Police her father is reportedly calling unnecessary. Tristan Goods, who lives in Queens and Long Island, was driving with his wife and two daughters in the Hudson Valley on I-87 in December last year when he was pulled over by New York State Police Trooper Christopher Baldner in Ulster County for allegedly speeding. In an interview with the New York Daily News, Goods spoke out about the incident, which led to the death of his child. It is alleged that after confronting…
Calls For Area Teacher To Be Fired Over Allegedly Racist George Floyd Assignment Grow Calls For Area Teacher To Be Fired Over Allegedly Racist George Floyd Assignment Grow
Calls For Area Teacher To Be Fired Over Allegedly Racist George Floyd Assignment Grow Calls for a Hudson Valley teacher to either be fired or resign are growing over what many are calling a racist assignment. The controversy began last week in Ulster County when Saugerties High School English teacher Hope Antonelli, gave her ninth-grade English class a writing assignment stating that “George Floyd did not die because (Derek) Chauvin’s knee was on his neck. He died from a heart attack and drug overdose.” Chauvin, the  former Minneapolis police officer, was found guilty of murder and manslaughter on Tuesday, April 20 for killing Floyd by kneeling on his neck for more…
DA Calls For DOJ To Investigate Police Department In Westchester DA Calls For DOJ To Investigate Police Department In Westchester
DA Calls For DOJ To Investigate Police Department In Westchester The Westchester County District Attorney is calling on the US Department of Justice (DOJ) to launch an investigation into the Mount Vernon Police Department. DA Mimi Rocah announced on Friday, April 30 that she is calling on the DOs to investigate the department for pervasive and persistent alleged civil rights violations including unlawful strip searches, excessive use of force, and other misconduct. Rocah noted that her office is in the process of multiple criminal investigations involving certain Mount Vernon police officers. “In the course of those investigations, based largely on pub…
Hudson Valley Man Files $50M Suit Against Putnam Sheriff Office Hudson Valley Man Files $50M Suit Against Putnam Sheriff Office
Hudson Valley Man Files $50M Suit Against Putnam Sheriff Office A local man has filed a $50 million federal lawsuit accusing the Putnam County Sheriff's Office of beating him so severely he needs round-the-clock help. George Taranto, age 75, of Brewster, filed the lawsuit in connection with an incident that took place in July 2019 outside of his home, said News 12. According to Taranto, he saw flashlights and went outside in the middle of the night to see what was happening. He encountered Putnam County Sheriff's deputies who were investigating car break-ins. Documents from the suit said that while Taranto was standing in his driveway, he had his hand …
Details Released On Investigation Prompted By Suspensions Of Police Officers Details Released On Investigation Prompted By Suspensions Of Police Officers
Details Released On Investigation Prompted By Suspensions Of Police Officers The internal investigation into police corruption and misconduct within a Westchester police department led to the suspension of narcotics officers who allegedly aided a known drug dealer and used excessive force. Last July, the Mount Vernon Police Department received audiotapes from an officer who alleged wrongdoing in the Narcotics Squad, which were then sent to the Westchester County District Attorney’s office for further investigation. Mount Vernon Mayor Shawyn Patterson-Howard said on Thursday, Feb. 18 that at the direction of Police Commissioner Glenn Scott, the department transcribed…
Off-Duty Police Officer In Westchester Suspended For 'Inappropriate' Action Off-Duty Police Officer In Westchester Suspended For 'Inappropriate' Action
Off-Duty Police Officer In Westchester Suspended For 'Inappropriate' Action An off-duty police officer in Westchester has been suspended after an investigation into his intervention involving an apparent domestic dispute. On Monday, Feb. 15, an off-duty New Rochelle police officer was involved in an altercation with a person from Mount Vernon, the department announced on Friday, Feb. 18. According to the department, the altercation followed an apparent domestic dispute between the person and a member of his family that was observed by the off-duty officer. An initial review of the incident found that the off-duty officer’s actions were “inappropriate,” and he has …
Police Officer Arrested, Charged For Fraudulent Attempt To Buy Firearm In Westchester Police Officer Arrested, Charged For Fraudulent Attempt To Buy Firearm In Westchester
Police Officer Arrested, Charged For Fraudulent Attempt To Buy Firearm In Westchester A police officer in Westchester attempted to deceive a gun shop owner to fraudulently purchase a firearm, despite being disciplined for an off-duty incident. Sanjay Richards, an active duty member of the Yonkers Police Department, was arrested and charged with a pair of felonies after he allegedly attempted to fraudulently purchase a weapon at a gun shop in Mount Vernon. Richards, 40, a five-year veteran of the department, surrendered at Yonkers Police Headquarters on Tuesday, Oct. 13 following an investigation by the department and Westchester County District Attorney’s Office. Yonkers De…
Westchester DA Tony Scarpino Concedes To Primary Challenger  Mimi Rocah Westchester DA Tony Scarpino Concedes To Primary Challenger  Mimi Rocah
Westchester DA Tony Scarpino Concedes To Primary Challenger Mimi Rocah Westchester County will have a new District Attorney come November. Incumbent District Attorney Anthony Scarpino, Jr. conceded the Democratic Primary to former federal prosecutor and MSNBC analyst Mimi Rocah on Thursday, July 16. Scarpino’s concession comes more than three weeks after the primary on Tuesday, June 23, which was slowed by thousands of mail-in ballots that had to be counted due to the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic. “I am tremendously honored to be able to declare victory today in the Democratic Primary for Westchester District Attorney after three weeks with more than…
Results So Far Point To Victory In Westchester DA Race, Rocah Campaign Says Results So Far Point To Victory In Westchester DA Race, Rocah Campaign Says
Results So Far Point To Victory In Westchester DA Race, Rocah Campaign Says Ballots are still being counted, but the Westchester County District Attorney’s race could already be decided, according to challenger Mimi Rocah. Rocha’s camp is declaring victory, saying that her winning margin on Election Day “leaves little hope for incumbent (District Attorney) Tony Scarpino" in what was expected to be a tight race. “With tens of thousands of paper ballots yet to be counted and a week for additional ballots to arrive, the results are not expected to be finalized for several weeks,” she wrote in an email. "However, the strength of her winning margin on Election Day …
Police Officer Arrested In Excessive Force Incident, Westchester DA Says Police Officer Arrested In Excessive Force Incident, Westchester DA Says
Police Officer Arrested In Excessive Force Incident, Westchester DA Says A police officer in the area has been arrested for allegedly using excessive force with a woman who was handcuffed, intoxicated, and under arrest. Flanked by his lawyer, Mount Vernon Police officer Ryan Hughes turned himself in to the Westchester District Attorney’s Office in White Plains, where he was charged with reckless endangerment after allegedly manhandling a woman in his custody. The arrest comes amid national protests over the police-related death of George Floyd. Westchester County District Attorney Anthony Scarpino Jr. said that on Aug. 24 last year, inside the Mount Vernon Poli…
NYC Protests Spread To All Boroughs, With Over 300 Arrested, Dozens Of NYPD Vehicles Damaged NYC Protests Spread To All Boroughs, With Over 300 Arrested, Dozens Of NYPD Vehicles Damaged
NYC Protests Spread To All Boroughs, With Over 300 Arrested, Dozens Of Nypd Vehicles Damaged The third night of protests in New York City in response to the death of George Floyd resulted in more than 300 arrests and vandalism to dozens of police vehicles. The protests, which had been in lower Manhattan and Brooklyn the previous two nights, stretched to all five boroughs on Saturday, May 30, and included some of the city's landmarks. Earlier story - Hudson Valley Woman Charged With Attempted Murder Of Four NYPD Officers During Protest New York State Attorney General Letitia James will review all actions and procedures used during protests in New York City a…
Police Officer From Westchester Abused Woman For Months, DA Complaint Says Police Officer From Westchester Abused Woman For Months, DA Complaint Says
Police Officer From Westchester Abused Woman For Months, DA Complaint Says A four-page complaint has been filed by the Westchester County District Attorney's office formally charging the police officer from the area who has been accused of stalking, sexually abusing and burglarizing a woman. Peekskill Police Officer Michael Agovino, a Palisades resident, was charged on Saturday, Feb. 15, following an investigation alleging the 33-year-old committed multiple crimes while on duty and in police uniform, the criminal complaint states. Earlier report: Peekskill Police Officer Accused Of Stalking, Sexual Abuse While On Duty Agovino is charged with first-degree sexual a…
Former Police Officer In Westchester Indicted On Assault Charges Former Police Officer In Westchester Indicted On Assault Charges
Former Police Officer In Westchester Indicted On Assault Charges A former police officer in Westchester is facing charges for allegedly assaulting a suspect in his custody who was handcuffed and shackled, authorities announced. James Ready, 27, of Putnam Valley, was arraigned this week following an indictment by a grand jury for allegedly assaulting a defendant in his custody and attempting to falsify the record of it, Westchester County District Attorney Anthony Scarpino, Jr., said.  At the time of the alleged assault, Ready was a probationary officer with the Mount Vernon Police Department. It is alleged that on Nov. 23 last year, Ready was in ch…
Officer From Hudson Valley Killed By Friendly Fire In Struggle With Suspect, NYPD Says Officer From Hudson Valley Killed By Friendly Fire In Struggle With Suspect, NYPD Says
Officer From Hudson Valley Killed By Friendly Fire In Struggle With Suspect, Nypd Says In a stunning announcement, New York Police Commissioner James O’Neill said that NYPD Officer Brain Mulkeen, a Westchester resident and Orange County native, was killed by friendly fire. “This is a tragic case of friendly fire,” O’Neill said during a press conference Monday, Sept. 30. “It’s an absolute tragedy. O'Neill went on to say that as the suspect, Antonio Lavance Williams, who was also killed, reached for his gun, Mulkeen fired five shots, causing five other officers on the scene to open fire, firing a total of 15 rounds, with two hitting Mulkeen. A loaded, .32-caliber gun was …
Passenger In Car During Fatal Shooting Of Pace Football Player DJ Henry Gets $75K Settlement Passenger In Car During Fatal Shooting Of Pace Football Player DJ Henry Gets $75K Settlement
Passenger In Car During Fatal Shooting Of Pace Football Player DJ Henry Gets $75K Settlement A former Pace University teammate of Danroy “DJ” Henry, who was shot and killed by a Pleasantville police officer has reached a settlement with the former officer. Former Pleasantville police officer Aaron Hess, who was off-duty in Pleasantville, called to report a disturbance outside Finnegan’s on Oct. 17, 2010, where members of the Pace football team were celebrating after their homecoming game. Hess remained at the scene, and when Henry was instructed to move his vehicle out of a fire zone, the former police officer alleged that it had struck him, he landed on the hood of the car and he …
Ex-Cop Charged In White Plains Hit-Run That Seriously Injured Two Ex-Cop Charged In White Plains Hit-Run That Seriously Injured Two
Ex-Cop Charged In White Plains Hit-Run That Seriously Injured Two An alleged elaborate cover-up wasn’t enough to help a former police officer in Westchester stay out of trouble with the law after he allegedly hospitalized two in a hit-and-run crash and sped away. Valhalla resident Raymond Beckley, 25, a former police officer in New Castle and New Rochelle, is facing a host of felony charges dating back to a hit-and-run crash in November 2016 that left his victims with broken bones and head trauma in White Plains. The felony complaint states that at approximately 10:30 p.m. on Nov. 13, 2016, Beckley was driving his Ford F350 on Hale Avenue in White Plains …