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US Attorney Damian Williams

$1.4M Bank Loan Scheme: Hudson Valley Man Sentenced $1.4M Bank Loan Scheme: Hudson Valley Man Sentenced
$1.4M Bank Loan Scheme: Hudson Valley Man Sentenced A Hudson Valley man has been sentenced to prison in connection with a scheme to obtain a fraudulent $1.4 million loan from Park Avenue Bank. Rockland County resident Mendel Zilberberg, age 65, of Monsey, was sentenced on Wednesday, March 19 following a one-week trial. According to court documents, Zilberberg, who was a member of the bank's board of directors at the time of the offense, conspired with others, including Aron Fried, to obtain a fraudulent loan using a "star borrower" to make the loan application.  The straw borrower applied for a $1.4 million loan from the Bank base…
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 …
Northern Westchester Man Sold Fentanyl To Victim Who Died In Burning Car After Taking It: Feds Northern Westchester Man Sold Fentanyl To Victim Who Died In Burning Car After Taking It: Feds
Northern 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…
Child Rapist 'Godson' Sexually Abused 15-Year-Old In Hudson Valley, Feds Say Child Rapist 'Godson' Sexually Abused 15-Year-Old In Hudson Valley, Feds Say
Child Rapist 'Godson' Sexually Abused 15-Year-Old In Hudson Valley, Feds Say A registered "sexually violent" offender who was once convicted of raping a 7-year-old girl is now accused of sexually abusing another child in the region. Curtis Ellington, age 33, of Junction City, Kansas, was arraigned on child sex crimes charges in federal court in White Plains on Thursday, June 1. According to the US Attorney’s Office in the Southern District, Ellington slept at the 15-year-old victim’s Orange County home in April 2023, and engaged in sexual activity with them. Earlier Report: 'Sexually Violent' Offender Convicted Of Raping Girl, 7, Reports Move In Middletown Pr…
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…
Correction Officer From Northern Westchester Charged With Assaulting Inmate, Falsifying Records Correction Officer From Northern Westchester Charged With Assaulting Inmate, Falsifying Records
Correction Officer From Northern Westchester Charged With Assaulting Inmate, Falsifying Records A correction officer from Northern Westchester is charged with assaulting an inmate of the Dutchess County prison he once worked at and falsifying the records of the incident.  The assault happened on May 28, 2020, when 32-year-old Cortlandt Manor resident Taj Everly assaulted an inmate at Green Haven Correctional Facility in Stormville, according to an announcement by US Attorney Damian Williams from Thursday, Dec. 15.  On the day of the incident, Everly allegedly hit the inmate without provocation as he exited a room in the prison, causing both men to fall. Afterward, Everl…
Second Man Convicted For Fatal Shooting Of 21-Year-Old During Robbery In Westchester Second Man Convicted For Fatal Shooting Of 21-Year-Old During Robbery In Westchester
Second Man Convicted For Fatal Shooting Of 21-Year-Old During Robbery In Westchester The second of two suspects implicated in the fatal shooting of a 21-year-old Hudson Valley man during a robbery will spend years in federal prison. Following an eight-day trial, jurors found Yonkers resident Darnell Kidd, age 31, guilty of one count of murder through the use of a firearm Wednesday, Nov. 16, in the March 2011 killing of Jonathan Johnson in White Plains. Related Report: Yonkers Man Sentenced For Shooting Death Of 21-Year-Old Federal prosecutors said Kidd and his co-conspirator, Marcus Chambers, age 31, arranged to meet Johnson on March 18, 2011 to buy marijuana. When t…
Westchester Doctor Admits To Prescribing Over 100K Oxycodone Pills Knowing They'd Be Resold Westchester Doctor Admits To Prescribing Over 100K Oxycodone Pills Knowing They'd Be Resold
Westchester Doctor Admits To Prescribing Over 100K Oxycodone Pills Knowing They'd Be Resold A Westchester County doctor could spend decades in prison after admitting that he illegally prescribed opioid pills knowing they’d be resold on the street. Marc Laruelle, age 65, of Yonkers, pleaded guilty to one count of distributing Oxycodone, amphetamines, and Xanax in federal court in Manhattan Wednesday, Oct. 19. Prosecutors said Laruelle, a licensed psychiatrist, illegally prescribed more than 100,000 doses of Oxycodone “outside of the usual course of professional practice” between September 2016 and October 2021. Highly potent and addictive, the drug often commands a high price in …
Father-Son Owners Of Hudson Valley Car Dealership Sentenced For Fraud Father-Son Owners Of Hudson Valley Car Dealership Sentenced For Fraud
Father-Son Owners Of Hudson Valley Car Dealership Sentenced For Fraud A father and son who own a Hudson Valley car dealership are heading to federal prison for their role in a multimillion-dollar tax and bank fraud scheme. Orange County residents Mehdi and Saaed Moslem, owners of the Exclusive Motor Sports dealership in Central Valley, were sentenced to eight years and three years in prison, respectively, in federal court in White Plains Monday, Oct. 17. Earlier Report: Father/Son Owners Of Area Auto Dealership Charged With Tax, Bank Fraud The pair was previously found guilty of defrauding their lenders and the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) following …
NY Man Sentenced For 'Terrorizing Young Women, Coercing Them Into Commercial Sex Acts' NY Man Sentenced For 'Terrorizing Young Women, Coercing Them Into Commercial Sex Acts'
NY Man Sentenced For 'Terrorizing Young Women, Coercing Them Into Commercial Sex Acts' A New York man will spend decades behind bars for forcing women to engage in prostitution. Long Island resident Justin Rivera, age 32, of Amityville, was sentenced to 21 years in federal prison Tuesday, Oct. 11, in US District Court in Manhattan. The sentence followed an eight-day jury trial in June 2021 in which he was convicted of conspiring to sex traffic two victims. Federal prosecutors said Rivera - also known as Denzel Rivera, Bangout, and Jackie Chan - conspired with others to coerce the young women to engage in commercial sex acts at an abandoned house in Bohemia in 2015. They di…
Former Coach In Hudson Valley Charged With Transporting Minors, Now Cops, To Engage In Sex Acts Former Coach In Hudson Valley Charged With Transporting Minors, Now Cops, To Engage In Sex Acts
Former Coach In Hudson Valley Charged With Transporting Minors, Now Cops, To Engage In Sex Acts A former diving coach in the Hudson Valley is facing federal charges, years after he allegedly transported teenagers across state lines for sex. Victor Byrne, age 56, who formerly coached competitive divers in Rockland County, was arrested Wednesday, Aug. 31, in Orlando, Florida. Federal prosecutors said Byrne transported a 16-year-old victim from Cape Cod, Massachusetts to Rockland County to engage in illegal sexual activity in July 2006. In February 2008, he transported another 16-year-old from New Jersey to Rockland County, again to engage in illegal sex, prosecutors said. Byrne worked…
'Real Housewives' Star Admits To Running Telemarketing Fraud Scheme That Targeted Some NYers 'Real Housewives' Star Admits To Running Telemarketing Fraud Scheme That Targeted Some NYers
'Real Housewives' Star Admits To Running Telemarketing Fraud Scheme That Targeted Some NYers “Real Housewives of Salt Lake City” star Jennifer Shah has admitted to running a decade-long telemarketing scheme that tricked thousands of victims, including some New Yorkers, into bogus investment opportunities. Shah, age 48, of Utah, appeared in a federal courtroom in Manhattan on Monday, July 11, where she pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to commit wire fraud in connection with telemarketing. Federal prosecutors said between 2012 and March 2021, Shah trafficked “lead lists” of potential victims that her co-conspirators used to convince victims to pay thousands of dollars for “…
Two Convicted Of Scheming To Kidnap, Sexually Exploit Children From Region Two Convicted Of Scheming To Kidnap, Sexually Exploit Children From Region
Two Convicted Of Scheming To Kidnap, Sexually Exploit Children From Region Two more men have been convicted in federal court of scheming to kidnap two children from the region and repeatedly smuggle them over the border into Mexico to be a part of a sexual relationship, authorities announced. Mordechay Malka, age 27, and Matitau Malka, age 30, both US citizens from Guatemala who are members of the extremist Jewish sect Lev Torah, were convicted on multiple charges following a four-week trial in White Plains federal court. Federal prosecutors said that the Malkas participated in a scheme to kidnap a 14-year-old girl and 12-year-old boy in Sullivan County from their…
Hudson Valley Man Sentenced For Ponzi-Like Fraud Scheme Hudson Valley Man Sentenced For Ponzi-Like Fraud Scheme
Hudson Valley Man Sentenced For Ponzi-Like Fraud Scheme A Hudson Valley man will spend years behind bars after being busted for operating a multi-million dollar investment club that was actually a Ponzi scheme targeting a Haitian community, federal authorities announced. Rockland County resident Ruless Pierre, age 52, of Nanuet, has been sentenced to 84 months in prison in connection to a Ponzi-like securities fraud scheme that targeted his own community in the region. Specifically, Pierre was convicted of securities fraud, wire fraud, and structuring offenses by a jury in May 2021. US Attorney Damian Williams said that between 2016 and 2019, P…
Former Non-Profit CEO From Hudson Valley Sentenced For Bribery, Kickback Scheme Former Non-Profit CEO From Hudson Valley Sentenced For Bribery, Kickback Scheme
Former Non-Profit CEO From Hudson Valley Sentenced For Bribery, Kickback Scheme A Hudson Valley resident who was the former CEO of a non-profit in New York will spend years in prison after being sentenced for soliciting hundreds of thousands worth of bribes and kickbacks from contractors, federal officials announced. Rockland County resident Victor Rivera, age 62, of Stony Point, the former head of the Bronx Parent Housing Network, has been sentenced to 27 months in prison for conspiring to commit honest services fraud. US Attorney Damian Williams said that the Bronx Parent Housing Network operates soup kitchens, homeless shelters, and affordable-housing facilities in …
Hudson Valley Business Owner Sentenced For Fraud Involving Fake Lab Results Hudson Valley Business Owner Sentenced For Fraud Involving Fake Lab Results
Hudson Valley Business Owner Sentenced For Fraud Involving Fake Lab Results The owner of a consumer products testing company in Rockland County will spend years in prison for his role in a scheme to defraud customers out of millions of dollars by reporting fake lab reports over more than two decades. Rockland County resident Gabriel Letizia, Jr., age 72, the owner of AMA Laboratories in New City, admitted conspiracy to commit wire fraud and two counts of misbranding products in May 2021 for bilking his customers out of more than $46 million. On Wednesday, May 18, US Attorney Damian Williams announced that Letizia, a New City resident, has been sentenced to 60 month…
NY CEO Charged In $59M Cryptocurrency Scheme NY CEO Charged In $59M Cryptocurrency Scheme
NY CEO Charged In $59M Cryptocurrency Scheme A CEO from New York is facing charges for his role in a $59 million cryptocurrency scheme where he touted phony technology to garner additional funding, federal officials announced.  Long Island resident Eddy Alexandre, age 50, of Valley Stream, the leader of a purported cryptocurrency and forex trading platform called EminiFX, has been charged with commodities fraud and wire fraud offenses, according to US Attorney Damian Williams. It is alleged that Alexandre solicited more than $59 million in investments from hundreds of individual investors after making false representations in con…
Alleged Crime Family Members, Associates From Westchester Charged With Racketeering Alleged Crime Family Members, Associates From Westchester Charged With Racketeering
Alleged Crime Family Members, Associates From Westchester Charged With Racketeering Alleged members of the Genovese Organized Crime Family from Westchester and Fairfield counties are facing racketeering charges for their roles within the organization. Federal prosecutors announced that four members and two associates of the family have been charged with racketeering conspiracy involving illegal gambling and extortion. Those charged in Manhattan federal court: Michael Messina, age 69, of New Fairfield, Connecticut; Ralph Balsamo, age 51, of Tuckahoe, NY; Michael Poli, age 37, of Hawthorne, NY; Nicholas Calisi, age 63, of Boca Raton, Florida; John Campanella, age 47, of t…
Northern Westchester Man Who IDs Himself As 'Incel' Sentenced For Stalking, Terrorizing Women Northern Westchester Man Who IDs Himself As 'Incel' Sentenced For Stalking, Terrorizing Women
Northern Westchester Man Who IDs Himself As 'Incel' Sentenced For Stalking, Terrorizing Women A man who identifies himself as an “incel” or “involuntary celibate” has been sentenced after admitting to stalking and terrorizing at least two women, federal authorities announced. Peekskill resident David Kaufman, age 28 - also known as “David Khalifa,” “John Morray,” and “Big Man” - pleaded guilty in December 2021 to stalking multiple victims between October 2019 and August 2020, including terrorizing messages and inappropriate photos. Prosecutors announced that Kaufman has been sentenced to 30 months in prison, followed by three years of supervised release, with the first six months se…
Former NYPD Officer From Westchester Sentenced For Trafficking Meth, Liquid Date Rape Drug Former NYPD Officer From Westchester Sentenced For Trafficking Meth, Liquid Date Rape Drug
Former Nypd Officer From Westchester Sentenced For Trafficking Meth, Liquid Date Rape Drug An ex-NYPD officer from the Hudson Valley will spend a decade behind bars after admitting to his role in running a scheme to traffic large quantities of methamphetamine and liquid date rape drugs in New York, federal officials announced. Bronxville resident John Cicero, age 40, a former NYPD officer, pleaded guilty on Oct. 13, 2021, to distributing large quantities of methamphetamine and gamma-butyrolactone (known as “GBL”) in Westchester County and New York City. On Tuesday, April 12, US Attorney Damian Williams announced that Cicero has been sentenced to 10 years in prison, four years of …
Sarah Lawrence Sex Cult Leader In Westchester Found Guilty On All Charges Sarah Lawrence Sex Cult Leader In Westchester Found Guilty On All Charges
Sarah Lawrence Sex Cult Leader In Westchester Found Guilty On All Charges Larry Ray, the leader of a sex cult run out of his daughter's dorm room at Sarah Lawrence College in Westchester, will face life in prison after being found guilty by a jury of sexually exploiting and trafficking girls. Ray, now 62 years old following multiple delays in his trial and prosecution, was found guilty of 15 counts that include racketeering, sex trafficking, conspiracy, forced labor, extortion, tax evasion, and other crimes in relation to his scheme. Related story - DOJ Accidentally Publishes List Of Alleged Clients In Sarah Lawrence Case It reportedly took the jury le…
Two Sentenced For Scheming To Kidnap, Sexually Exploit Children In Region Two Sentenced For Scheming To Kidnap, Sexually Exploit Children In Region
Two Sentenced For Scheming To Kidnap, Sexually Exploit Children In Region Two men have been sentenced for their roles in a salacious scheme to kidnap area children from their mother and smuggle them across the border into Mexico to be a part of a sexual relationship in the region, federal authorities announced. Nachman Helbrans, age 40, and Mayer Rosner, age 45, US citizens from Guatemala, were convicted in January 2021 following a four-week jury trial of child sexual exploitation offenses and kidnapping in Sullivan County. Specifically, Helbrans and Rosner were convicted in November 2021 of: Conspiring to transport a minor with intent to engage in crimina…
CFO Sentenced For $33M Healthcare Scheme Involving Westchester Company CFO Sentenced For $33M Healthcare Scheme Involving Westchester Company
CFO Sentenced For $33M Healthcare Scheme Involving Westchester Company A 50-year-old woman will spend more than five years in prison and surrender millions of dollars after being sentenced for a “widespread” $33 million healthcare fraud scheme involving a Westchester auto dealership, federal officials announced. Connecticut resident Erin Verespy, of Trumbull in Fairfield County, was sentenced to 66 months in prison for her role in a $33 million scheme to misappropriate client healthcare funds and defraud multiple lenders through her role as the Chief Financial Officer of Employee Benefit Solutions (EBS), an insurance firm in Wilton. Earlier story - Four From …
Westchester Man Sentenced For Kidnapping, Robbery, Other Charges Westchester Man Sentenced For Kidnapping, Robbery, Other Charges
Westchester Man Sentenced For Kidnapping, Robbery, Other Charges A 26-year-old man will spend nearly two decades in prison after being sentenced for drug, weapon, and robbery charges in connection to a violent kidnapping on behalf of a Mexican cartel, authorities announced. Yonkers resident Fernando Ra was sentenced to 18 years in prison in connection to robbery, firearms, and narcotics offenses, US Attorney Damian Williams announced. Williams said that on Oct. 3, 2020, Ra and his co-conspirators kidnapped, restrained, robbed, and “savagely assaulted” two victims using guns and baseball bats to beat them. The indictment states that Ra also used a knife …
Doctor From Westchester Charged For 'Prolific Seven-Year Fraud Scheme,' Feds Say Doctor From Westchester Charged For 'Prolific Seven-Year Fraud Scheme,' Feds Say
Doctor From Westchester Charged For 'Prolific Seven-Year Fraud Scheme,' Feds Say An eye doctor from Westchester who had practices throughout the Hudson Valley and Fairfield County who was previously charged with healthcare fraud has been sentenced for attempting to exploit the COVID-19 pandemic through loan fraud. Westchester resident Ameet Goyal, age 58, of Rye, who operated The Eye Associates Group, with practices in Rye, Mount Kisco, Wappingers Falls in Dutchess County, and Greenwich, has been sentenced to 96 months in prison for orchestrating a seven-year fraud scheme and for obtaining government loans intended for small businesses during the pandemic. In addition t…
Five NYers Nabbed For $8.4 Million Fraud, Money Laundering Scheme, Feds Says Five NYers Nabbed For $8.4 Million Fraud, Money Laundering Scheme, Feds Says
Five NYers Nabbed For $8.4 Million Fraud, Money Laundering Scheme, Feds Says Four Long Island residents are among five New Yorkers facing charges for a multi-million dollar “boiler room” fraud and money laundering scheme, federal officials announced. US Attorney Damian Williams announced that five suspects are facing a host of charges for their alleged roles in the $8.4 million scheme to defraud investors around the world and launder the proceeds from the scheme. Those charged: Lenard Booth, also known as “Trevor Nicholas,” age 68, of Brooklyn; Michael D’Urso, age 54, of Glen Cove; Alyssa D’Urso, age 28, of Glen Cove; Jay Garnock, age 75, of Glen Cove; Antonella…
Movie Exec Admits To Bilking  $30 Million From NY Investment Fund Movie Exec Admits To Bilking  $30 Million From NY Investment Fund
Movie Exec Admits To Bilking $30 Million From NY Investment Fund A Hollywood big wig is facing decades in prison after admitting to bilking a New York investment fund out of more than $30 million “in a brazen plot that could be ripped from one of the films he distributed,” federal officials announced. Beverly Hills resident William Sadleir, age 67, pleaded guilty to two counts of wire fraud in connection with his participation in two schemes relating to investments made by a New York-based investment fund in Aviron Pictures. US Attorney Damian Williams said that Sadleir was the chairman and CEO of Aviron, which he oversaw from 2015 through December 2019…
COVID-19: Man Charged In Hudson Valley For Attempting To Steal $1.9M In Benefits, Feds Say COVID-19: Man Charged In Hudson Valley For Attempting To Steal $1.9M In Benefits, Feds Say
Covid-19: Man Charged In Hudson Valley For Attempting To Steal $1.9M In Benefits, Feds Say Federal officials have charged a 40-year-old man for his role in attempting to steal nearly $2 million in COVID-19 unemployment benefits during the pandemic. Yohauris Rodriguez Hernandez was arrested in Orange County on Wednesday, Jan. 19 in Goshen and now faces a host of federal charges in connection to his role in a COVID-19 unemployment benefit scheme. It is alleged that Hernandez and a co-conspirator attempted to steal more than $1.9 million from the New York State Department of Labor (NYS DOL) and other states’ agencies tasked with the administration of unemployment benefits. US Atto…
Northern Westchester Man Who IDs Himself As An 'Incel' Admits To Stalking, Terrorizing Women Northern Westchester Man Who IDs Himself As An 'Incel' Admits To Stalking, Terrorizing Women
Northern Westchester Man Who IDs Himself As An 'Incel' Admits To Stalking, Terrorizing Women A man who identifies himself as an “incel” or “involuntary celibate” has admitted to stalking and terrorizing at least two women, federal authorities announced. Peekskill resident David Kaufman, age 27 - also known as “David Khalifa,” “John Morray,” and “Big Man,” pleaded guilty to stalking multiple victims between October 2019 and August 2020, including terrorizing messages and inappropriate photos. According to officials, Kaufman self-identifies as a member of the “Incels,” or the “Involuntary Celibate,” which refers to a group of individuals who are “typically heterosexual, white males, …
Former NYPD Officer From Westchester Admits To Trafficking Meth, Liquid Date Rape Drug Former NYPD Officer From Westchester Admits To Trafficking Meth, Liquid Date Rape Drug
Former Nypd Officer From Westchester Admits To Trafficking Meth, Liquid Date Rape Drug A former NYPD officer from the Hudson Valley admitted to his role in running a scheme to traffic large quantities of methamphetamine and liquid date rape drugs in New York, federal officials announced. Bronxville resident John Cicero, age 39, a former NYPD officer, pleaded guilty on Wednesday, Oct. 13 to distributing large quantities of methamphetamine and gamma-butyrolactone (known as “GBL”) in Westchester County and New York City. Beginning in 2017 through his arrest in February 2020, US. Attorney Damian Williasm said that Cicero and his co-conspirators stockpiled and sold liters of GBL a…
COVID-19: Westchester Duo Charged In $7.6 Million Fraud Scheme COVID-19: Westchester Duo Charged In $7.6 Million Fraud Scheme
Covid-19: Westchester Duo Charged In $7.6 Million Fraud Scheme A pair of Westchester residents are among four facing charges for their roles in a multi-million dollar COVID-19 fraud scheme during the height of the pandemic. Mount Vernon residents Quadri Salahuddin, age 25, and Anwar Salahuddin, age 35, Los Angeles resident Christal Ransom, age 44, and Jacob Carter, age 35, of Capitol Heights, Maryland are facing charges for allegedly submitting more than 1,000 fraudulent applications for small business loans in various peoples’ names and accepting kickbacks. US Attorney Damian Williams announced this week that the four allegedly schemed to defraud the …