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US Attorney's Office for the Southern District of New York

$50M Scheme: Westchester Man Admits Selling Fraudulent Prescriptions, Feds Say $50M Scheme: Westchester Man Admits Selling Fraudulent Prescriptions, Feds Say
$50M Scheme: Westchester Man Admits Selling Fraudulent Prescriptions, Feds Say A 44-year-old Westchester man has admitted to a healthcare fraud scheme that cost Medicare nearly $50 million in losses, federal officials announced. Pelham Manor resident Manishkumar Patel pleaded guilty on Friday, April 26 to charges connected to a healthcare fraud and kickback scheme involving the sale of fraudulent prescriptions, according to the US Attorney's Office for the Southern District of New York. Earlier Report - $10M Scheme: Pelham Manor Man Nabbed For Selling Fraudulent Prescriptions, Feds Say According to federal officials, between 2019 and 2022, Patel and a …
$100M Scheme: Westchester Man Known As 'Magician' Nabbed In One Of Largest Ever Frauds $100M Scheme: Westchester Man Known As 'Magician' Nabbed In One Of Largest Ever Frauds
$100M Scheme: Westchester Man Known As 'Magician' Nabbed In One Of Largest Ever Frauds A New York man known as "the Magician" has been charged in connection with one of the largest-ever tax fraud schemes by a tax preparer, federal officials announced. Northern Westchester County resident Rafael Alvarez, of Cortlandt Manor, has been charged in connection with a $100 million tax fraud scheme involving tens of thousands of federal individual income tax returns with false information, the US Attorney's Office for the Southern District of New York announced on Monday, April 15.  According to federal officials, from 2010 to 2020, Alvarez, also known as "the Magi…
Drug Dealer From Westchester Directed Multiple 'Vicious' Attacks: Here's His Sentence Drug Dealer From Westchester Directed Multiple 'Vicious' Attacks: Here's His Sentence
Drug Dealer From Westchester Directed Multiple 'Vicious' Attacks: Here's His Sentence A Hudson Valley marijuana dealer from Northern Westchester will spend nearly two decades in prison for directing multiple violent attacks, including a brutal beating that left a man naked and bloody in a pile of snow, officials announced.  Hawthorne resident Wayne Hicks, age 32, was sentenced to 17 years in prison for charges related to the attacks and drug trafficking, the US Attorney's Office for the Southern District of New York announced on Thursday, April 4.  According to federal officials, Hicks, a Rockland County marijuana dealer also known as "Weez," directed two separate …
Man Assaults FBI Officer In Westchester, Gets Nearly 2 Decades In Prison Man Assaults FBI Officer In Westchester, Gets Nearly 2 Decades In Prison
Man Assaults FBI Officer In Westchester, Gets Nearly 2 Decades In Prison A 27-year-old man will spend nearly two decades in prison for assaulting a Federal Bureau of Investigation officer while leading authorities on a chase and firing gunshots into a crowd in Westchester.  New Rochelle resident Darren Smith, age 27, was sentenced on Tuesday, April 2 to 230 months in prison for assaulting an FBI officer during a September 2020 pursuit in Yonkers, the US Attorney's Office for the Southern District of New York announced. According to federal officials, on September 25, 2020, Yonkers Police officers pulled over the car Smith had been driving. He then spe…
Former NYPD Officer From Westchester Gets Prison Time For Helping Gang Leader Former NYPD Officer From Westchester Gets Prison Time For Helping Gang Leader
Former Nypd Officer From Westchester Gets Prison Time For Helping Gang Leader A former New York City Police officer from Northern Westchester will spend years in prison for warning gang members about a federal investigation into their activity as well as helping the group's leader escape arrest for murder, officials said.  Mohegan Lake resident Gina Mestre, age 33, was sentenced to 70 months in prison for obstructing a federal investigation into the Shooting Boys gang and helping the group's leader evade justice for murder, the US Attorney's Office for the Southern District of New York announced on Friday, March 29. Earlier Report - Former N…
New Update: 5 Charged In Double-Fatal Armed Robbery In Westchester New Update: 5 Charged In Double-Fatal Armed Robbery In Westchester
New Update: 5 Charged In Double-Fatal Armed Robbery In Westchester Five men have been charged in connection with a violent shootout at a Westchester warehouse that left both an employee and a member of a robbery crew dead, federal officials announced. New, updated report - Latest Update: $15K Reward Offered For Info On Suspect In Double-Fatal Shooting In Mount Vernon The five defendants were arrested following an attempted gunpoint robbery of a warehouse in Mount Vernon in the area of 137 South Fifth Ave. that sells unlicensed marijuana and nicotine products to smoke shops, the US Attorney's Office for the Southern District of New York announced …
Westchester Man Sexually Assaults Boy Outside His Home: Here's His Sentence Westchester Man Sexually Assaults Boy Outside His Home: Here's His Sentence
Westchester Man Sexually Assaults Boy Outside His Home: Here's His Sentence A 35-year-old man from New York will spend decades in prison for enticing a teenage boy to engage in sexual activity with him at his Connecticut home, officials announced.  Westchester County resident Leland Robinson, of Mount Vernon, was sentenced to 50 years in prison for enticing a 14-year-old boy to engage in sexual activity with him, the US Attorney's Office for the Southern District of New York announced on Friday, March 8.  According to federal officials, in February 2019, when Robinson was 31 years old, he posed as a high school student on a social media application a…
Westchester Man Used False Identity To Get Teen To Send Him Sexual Photos: Feds Westchester Man Used False Identity To Get Teen To Send Him Sexual Photos: Feds
Westchester Man Used False Identity To Get Teen To Send Him Sexual Photos: Feds A 31-year-old Westchester man faces decades in prison for using false identities to gain a teenager's trust and convince them to send him sexually explicit photos and videos, federal officials announced.  New Rochelle resident Charudet Smith, also known as Charles Smith, was arrested on Thursday, Feb. 8 on sexual exploitation charges, the US Attorney's Office for the Southern District of New York announced on Friday, Feb. 9. According to federal officials, from around Dec. 21, 2019, up to around Feb. 13, 2020, Smith impersonated several people and created a series of Instagram accounts…
Armed Robbery: Correction Officer, Man From Westchester Break Into Home, Feds Say Armed Robbery: Correction Officer, Man From Westchester Break Into Home, Feds Say
Armed Robbery: Correction Officer, Man From Westchester Break Into Home, Feds Say A duo from Westchester, including a correction officer, face charges after breaking into a Hudson Valley home, restraining the occupants inside, and stealing cash and marijuana, federal officials said. Mount Vernon residents Recaldo Fray and Kaheem Palmer, both age 31, have been charged in connection with an Orange County armed robbery that happened in Newburgh in early December 2023, the US Attorney's Office for the Southern District of New York announced on Wednesday, Jan. 24.  According to federal officials, on Monday, Dec. 4, Palmer and Fray, a correction officer at …
Westchester Man Admits Role In Close-Range Shooting That Left Victim Injured: Feds Westchester Man Admits Role In Close-Range Shooting That Left Victim Injured: Feds
Westchester Man Admits Role In Close-Range Shooting That Left Victim Injured: Feds A 31-year-old Westchester man who shot a victim at close range on a residential street has admitted to his role in the incident, federal officials announced. New Rochelle resident Tyriek Skyfield, age 31, pleaded guilty to illegal ammunition charges in connection with a shooting in the Bronx on Saturday, July 22, 2023, the US Attorney's Office for the Southern District of New York announced on Wednesday, Jan. 3. Earlier Report - New Rochelle Man Shoots Victim In Foot, Then Goes Clubbing: Feds According to federal officials, on the day of the shooting just before 10 p.m.,&nbs…
$20M Scheme: Former Westchester Resident Steals Funds From Bank For Investment Firm, Feds Say $20M Scheme: Former Westchester Resident Steals Funds From Bank For Investment Firm, Feds Say
$20M Scheme: Former Westchester Resident Steals Funds From Bank For Investment Firm, Feds Say A former Westchester resident faces charges after allegedly stealing funds from a bank through lines of credit totaling $20 million for the multi-million-dollar municipal tax lien investment firm that he founded, federal officials announced.  John Arthur Hanratty, a 49-year-old New York-licensed attorney who lived in Rye until 2019 before moving to San Juan, Puerto Rico, was arrested on fraud charges in connection with a scheme to steal money from a bank for his investment firm, the US Attorney's Office for the Southern District of New York said. According to federal officials,&nb…
Man Poses As Nurse On Dating App, Then Assaults Several Women In Westchester, NYC: Feds Man Poses As Nurse On Dating App, Then Assaults Several Women In Westchester, NYC: Feds
Man Poses As Nurse On Dating App, Then Assaults Several Women In Westchester, NYC: Feds A 30-year-old man faces kidnapping and cyberstalking charges after posing as a nurse on a dating application and brutalizing several women he met in Westchester and New York City, federal officials announced.  An eight-count indictment charging New Jersey resident Herman Brightman of West New York, also known as "Nazir Griffiths" and "Nazir Luckett," with kidnapping, cyberstalking, and more has been returned by a grand jury, the US Attorney's Office for the Southern District of New York announced on Monday, Dec. 11.  According to federal officials, between January 2022 and Septemb…
Former NYPD Officer From Westchester Admits Helping Gang Leader Escape Justice: Feds Former NYPD Officer From Westchester Admits Helping Gang Leader Escape Justice: Feds
Former Nypd Officer From Westchester Admits Helping Gang Leader Escape Justice: Feds A former New York City Police officer from Northern Westchester has admitted to warning gang members about a federal investigation into their activity as well as helping the group's leader escape arrest for murder, federal officials said. Mohegan Lake resident Gina Mestre, a 33-year-old former NYPD officer, has pleaded guilty to charges relating to her obstructing a federal investigation into the Shooting Boys gang and helping the group's leader evade justice for murder, the US Attorney's Office for the Southern District of New York announced on Thursday, Dec. 7. Earlier Report -…
Westchester Man Sold Fentanyl To Victim Who Died In Burning Car After Taking It: Feds Westchester Man Sold Fentanyl To Victim Who Died In Burning Car After Taking It: Feds
Westchester Man Sold Fentanyl To Victim Who Died In Burning Car After Taking It: Feds A 37-year-old Northern Westchester man faces possible prison time after selling fentanyl to a victim who died in a car fire shortly after taking the drugs, federal officials announced.  Mohegan Lake resident Perry Freeman has been charged with distributing fentanyl that resulted in the death of a victim, the US Attorney's Office for the Southern District of New York announced on Monday, Dec. 4.  According to federal officials, on Nov. 10, 2021, Freeman sold fentanyl to the victim. A short time after this, police responded to a burning car in a parking lot in Mohegan Lake, onl…
Teacher From Westchester Caught With Child Porn, Trying To Hack Teen's Social Media: Feds Teacher From Westchester Caught With Child Porn, Trying To Hack Teen's Social Media: Feds
Teacher From Westchester Caught With Child Porn, Trying To Hack Teen's Social Media: Feds A 27-year-old teacher from Northern Westchester faces decades in prison after authorities discovered his possession of child pornography and an attempt to hack into a student's social media account, officials said. Yorktown resident and teacher Giuseppi Micciari, age 27, was arrested on child pornography charges and presented in White Plains federal court on Wednesday, Nov. 1, the US Attorney's Office for the Southern District of New York announced.  According to federal officials, Micciari's arrest followed a review of his cell phone conducted by authorities that revealed th…
Police Officer, Westchester Man Nabbed For Planning To Distribute Fentanyl, Heroin: Feds Police Officer, Westchester Man Nabbed For Planning To Distribute Fentanyl, Heroin: Feds
Police Officer, Westchester Man Nabbed For Planning To Distribute Fentanyl, Heroin: Feds A police officer and a Westchester man face years in prison for conspiring to distribute narcotics, officials announced.  New York City Police Officer and Bronx resident Grace Rosa Baez, age 37, and Yonkers resident Cesar Martinez, age 43, were both arrested on narcotics distribution charges, the US Attorney's Office for the Southern District of New York announced on Friday, Oct. 20. According to federal officials, between Monday, Oct. 9, and Thursday, Oct. 19, Baez and Martinez had several conversations about wholesale narcotics trafficking with a "confidential source" worki…
Man Sends Bomb Threats To Over 150 Schools, Synagogues, Airports In NY, Other States: Feds Man Sends Bomb Threats To Over 150 Schools, Synagogues, Airports In NY, Other States: Feds
Man Sends Bomb Threats To Over 150 Schools, Synagogues, Airports In NY, Other States: Feds A 33-year-old man faces federal charges after sending bomb threats to over 150 school districts, synagogues, airports, hospitals, and malls in several states, including New York and Connecticut, officials announced. Peru resident Eddie Manuel Nunez Santos, age 33, was arrested by Peruvian authorities on Tuesday, Sept. 26 after allegedly placing a string of bomb threats in New York, Connecticut, Arizona, and Alaska in retaliation against teenage girls for them refusing to send him sexually explicit photos, the US Attorney's Office for the Southern District of New York announced.  A…
Duo Accused Of Running Prostitution Ring Out Of Westchester Massage Parlors: Feds Duo Accused Of Running Prostitution Ring Out Of Westchester Massage Parlors: Feds
Duo Accused Of Running Prostitution Ring Out Of Westchester Massage Parlors: Feds A husband and wife face charges after allegedly running an extensive prostitution business out of multiple New York massage parlors, including several in the Hudson Valley.  Putnam County residents Hong Ru Lin, age 50, and Kena Zhao, age 45, both of Putnam Valley, were arrested on Thursday, Sept. 14 for allegedly running a prostitution business out of numerous massage parlors in Putnam, Westchester, Queens, and Manhattan, the US Attorney's Office for the Southern District of New York announced. According to federal officials, Lin and Zhao started running the prostitution ring in Septem…
High School Teacher From Hartsdale Sends Sexual Pictures To Undercover Agent: Feds High School Teacher From Hartsdale Sends Sexual Pictures To Undercover Agent: Feds
High School Teacher From Hartsdale Sends Sexual Pictures To Undercover Agent: Feds A 34-year-old high school teacher from Westchester faces child pornography charges after sending sexually explicit pictures to an undercover agent posing as a 13-year-old girl, federal officials said. Hartsdale resident Kostas Fekkas, age 34, was arrested on Thursday, Sept. 14 on child pornography charges and presented in White Plains federal court, the US Attorney's Office for the Southern District of New York announced.  According to federal officials, before his arrest, Fekkas, also known as “Constantine Fekkas" and “C.J. Justice" had been a teacher at a public c…
Bankruptcy Fraud: Former Attorney From Westchester Admits Lying To Keep Assets, Officials Say Bankruptcy Fraud: Former Attorney From Westchester Admits Lying To Keep Assets, Officials Say
Bankruptcy Fraud: Former Attorney From Westchester Admits Lying To Keep Assets, Officials Say A former attorney from Westchester has admitted to submitting false bank records to bankruptcy court in an attempt to keep possession of his multi-million dollar home and Aston Martin sports car, officials said. Bronxville resident John Roesser, age 52, pleaded guilty on Tuesday, Sept. 12 to charges related to making falsified statements and submitting fake records to bankruptcy court, the US Attorney's Office for the Southern District of New York announced.  Earlier Report - Bankruptcy Fraud: Former Attorney From Bronxville Lied To Keep Home, Sports Car, Officials Say Acc…
Westchester Man Shoots Victim In Foot, Then Goes Clubbing: Feds Westchester Man Shoots Victim In Foot, Then Goes Clubbing: Feds
Westchester Man Shoots Victim In Foot, Then Goes Clubbing: Feds A 31-year-old Westchester man faces more than a decade in prison for shooting a victim before going out to a club, federal officials said.  Here's a new, updated report - New Rochelle Man Admits Role In Close-Range Shooting That Left Victim Injured: Feds New Rochelle resident Tyriek Skyfield, age 31, has been charged with firing two shots at a victim in the Bronx in July 2023, injuring them, the US Attorney's Office for the Southern District of New York announced on Wednesday, Aug. 23.  According to federal officials, on the day of the incident, Saturday, July 22, just …
22-Year-Old Nabbed For Making 'Ghost Guns' At Westchester Home: Police 22-Year-Old Nabbed For Making 'Ghost Guns' At Westchester Home: Police
22-Year-Old Nabbed For Making 'Ghost Guns' At Westchester Home: Police A 22-year-old man faces numerous felony weapon charges after authorities discovered that he was manufacturing "ghost guns" at his Northern Westchester home, police said.  Cortlandt resident Nicholas Zito, age 22, was arrested on Tuesday, Aug. 15 at his home on Langeloth Drive, Westchester County Police announced.  According to the department, Zito's arrest was the result of a multi-agency investigation conducted with the help of the New York State Police, FBI Westchester Safe Streets Task Force, the US Attorney's Office for the Southern District of New York, and the…
Man Caught With Ghost Gun Kits, Magazines In Westchester Gets Prison Time Man Caught With Ghost Gun Kits, Magazines In Westchester Gets Prison Time
Man Caught With Ghost Gun Kits, Magazines In Westchester Gets Prison Time A 36-year-old Connecticut man who was caught with illegal weapon kits in Westchester County will spend several years in prison for trafficking a large number of ghost guns from his New Haven County home.  Ansonia resident Melvin Burroughs, age 36, was sentenced to 58 months in prison on Thursday, July 27 for trafficking firearms, the US Attorney's Office for the Southern District of New York announced. According to federal officials, between 2019 through approximately January 2022, Burroughs bought parts for "ghost guns," assembled them into finished working firearms, and sold them.  He f…
Sergeant Indicted After Tasing Handcuffed Victim 7 Times in 2 Minutes In Westchester: Feds Sergeant Indicted After Tasing Handcuffed Victim 7 Times in 2 Minutes In Westchester: Feds
Sergeant Indicted After Tasing Handcuffed Victim 7 Times in 2 Minutes In Westchester: Feds A Westchester Sergeant faces federal charges after tasing a handcuffed victim seven times in the span of two minutes and violating their rights in the process, officials said.  Brooklyn resident Mario Stewart, age 44, a Sergeant with the Mount Vernon Police Department, has been indicted on federal charges after allegedly using excessive force against a handcuffed individual in a March 2019 incident, the US Attorney's Office for the Southern District of New York announced on Thursday, July 20.  According to federal officials, at the time of the incident, Stewart had been …
Former Pastor Who Exchanged Sexual Messages With Westchester Boy Gets Prison Time Former Pastor Who Exchanged Sexual Messages With Westchester Boy Gets Prison Time
Former Pastor Who Exchanged Sexual Messages With Westchester Boy Gets Prison Time A former pastor will spend several years in prison after engaging in sexually explicit text conversations with a 15-year-old boy from Westchester.  Glendale resident Francis Hughes, age 68, who once served as a pastor at the St. Pancras Roman Catholic Church in Queens, was sentenced to five years in prison for his receipt of child pornography, the US Attorney's Office for the Southern District of New York announced on Tuesday, July 18.  Earlier Report - Pastor Accused Of Exchanging Sexually Explicit Messages With Westchester Boy According to federal officials, on Feb. 1…
Former HS Teacher Enticed Student To Engage In Sexual Activity In Westchester: Feds Former HS Teacher Enticed Student To Engage In Sexual Activity In Westchester: Feds
Former HS Teacher Enticed Student To Engage In Sexual Activity In Westchester: Feds A former Westchester County high school teacher from Fairfield County faces more than a decade in prison after allegedly enticing one of her 16-year-old students to engage in sexual activity while making her believe they were in a romantic relationship, federal officials said. Bethel resident Sandy Carazas-Pinez, age 34, has been indicted on charges related to her alleged sexual exploitation of one of her students while she was employed at a school in Yonkers, the US Attorney's Office for the Southern District of New York announced on Wednesday, July 12.  According to federal officials…
Former Detective, 4 Other Men Nabbed For Robbing Homes In Westchester, Rest Of Country Former Detective, 4 Other Men Nabbed For Robbing Homes In Westchester, Rest Of Country
Former Detective, 4 Other Men Nabbed For Robbing Homes In Westchester, Rest Of Country A former New York City Police Department detective and four other men have been charged as members of an organized crew that conducted residential robberies across the country, including Westchester.  The unsealing of the five suspects' indictments was announced on Thursday, June 8 by the US Attorney's Office for the Southern District of New York.  The five men charged with participating in the string of violent armed robberies are:  Bronx resident Dagoberto Soto-Ramirez, age 41, also known as "Pito"; Queens resident Saul Arismendy De La Cruz, age 31, also known as "Nene" a…
New Westchester BOL Chair Elected: Replaces Predecessor Forced Out Amid Scandal New Westchester BOL Chair Elected: Replaces Predecessor Forced Out Amid Scandal
New Westchester BOL Chair Elected: Replaces Predecessor Forced Out Amid Scandal The Westchester Board of Legislators has elected a new chairman after his predecessor resigned following a scandal involving a former county staffer trying to meet with who he thought was a 14-year-old girl. Vedat Gashi, a Yorktown resident who represents Legislative District 4 encompassing Yorktown, New Castle, and Somers, was unanimously elected as Chairperson of the County legislature on Monday night, May 15, the legislature announced.  Gashi's election comes after his predecessor, Catherine Borgia, announced her resignation on Friday, April 28.  Earlier Report…
Enticing Minors Online: Hudson Valley Man Sentenced For Illegal Sexual Activity Enticing Minors Online: Hudson Valley Man Sentenced For Illegal Sexual Activity
Enticing Minors Online: Hudson Valley Man Sentenced For Illegal Sexual Activity A Hudson Valley man will spend decades in prison for using the internet to entice minors to engage in sexual activity, federal officials said.  Putnam County resident Marcelo Marin Vargas, age 45, was sentenced to 20 years in prison on Tuesday, May 9 after pleading guilty to enticing minors to engage in illegal sexual activity over the internet, according to the US Attorney's Office for the Southern District of New York.  According to federal officials, Vargas used a computer and the internet to persuade, entice, and coerce three underage girls to send him images and videos o…
Details Released: Ex-Aide To Former Westchester BOL Chair Tried Meeting Teen For Sex, Feds Say Details Released: Ex-Aide To Former Westchester BOL Chair Tried Meeting Teen For Sex, Feds Say
Details Released: Ex-Aide To Former Westchester BOL Chair Tried Meeting Teen For Sex, Feds Say Federal officials have released more details about a former Westchester County staffer who was fired after allegedly attempting to meet up with who he thought was a 14-year-old girl to engage in sexual activity.  Tarrytown resident Anand Singh, age 33, was arrested on Monday, May 1, and charged with attempting to meet a person who he thought was a 14-year-old girl at an apartment building in Newark, New Jersey for sex, according to the US Attorney's Office for the Southern District of New York.  Earlier Report - 'Institutional Misogyny': Chairwoman Resigns From Westchester BOL Af…
Ex-Teacher From Westchester Gets Prison Time For Sexually Abusing Children Ex-Teacher From Westchester Gets Prison Time For Sexually Abusing Children
Ex-Teacher From Westchester Gets Prison Time For Sexually Abusing Children A former teacher from Westchester will spend decades in prison for sexually abusing a young child who he had been tutoring in their own home, federal officials said.  Tuckahoe resident John Mueser, age 72, was sentenced to 25 years in prison for enticing a seven-year-old child that he had been tutoring to engage in sexual activity, the US Attorney's Office for the Southern District of New York announced on Wednesday, April 19.  Earlier Report - Westchester Tutor Charged With Sexually Exploiting Minor, Transporting Child Porn According to federal officials, Mueser, who had be…