New Update: Accused Killer Of 15-Year-Old Boy From Region In US Illegally, ICE Says New Update: Accused Killer Of 15-Year-Old Boy From Region In US Illegally, ICE Says
New Update: Accused Killer Of 15-Year-Old Boy From Region In US Illegally, ICE Says A 40-year-old man who allegedly shot his girlfriend and her two children in Northern Westchester and then led authorities on a 12-hour manhunt is in the United States illegally and has had past encounters with Border Patrol, officials said. Fernando Andres Jimenez Meza, who allegedly shot and killed 15-year-old Michael Raimondi and injured his mother and brother during an incident in the Baldwin Place section of Somers on Monday, Oct. 28, is an unlawfully present citizen of Chile, an Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) spokesperson said on Friday, Nov. 1. He entere…
$3.4M Scheme: Ex-Controller Admits To Embezzling Family-Owned Hudson Valley Business $3.4M Scheme: Ex-Controller Admits To Embezzling Family-Owned Hudson Valley Business
$3.4M Scheme: Ex-Controller Admits To Embezzling Family-Owned Hudson Valley Business A senior member of a family-owned company has admitted to embezzling more than $3.4 million from the business over five years. According to court filings released on Thursday, Oct. 10, John Hickey, age 34, created false invoices that appeared to be from entities with which the Northern Westchester-based corporations did business from February 2018 to November 2023. The company, located in Armonk, manufactured flame retardant fabrics. Damian Williams, the US Attorney for the Southern District of New York, said Hickey then forged signatures that supposedly approved payment of those invo…
Hudson Valley Man Accused Of Assaulting, Cutting Victims At Bar On Golf Hudson Valley Man Accused Of Assaulting, Cutting Victims At Bar On Golf
Hudson Valley Man Accused Of Assaulting, Cutting Victims At Bar On Golf A 26-year-old Hudson Valley man faces assault charges after allegedly attacking a victim inside a Northern Westchester bar and cutting a second with a weapon, police announced.  Putnam County resident Miftar Krasniqi of Mahopac was arrested on Monday, Aug. 26 after turning himself in to authorities in connection with an incident at the Tee Bar & Grill at 795 Route 6 in Yorktown that happened on Saturday, Aug. 24, according to Yorktown Police. Just before 11:30 p.m. on Saturday, a Yorktown officer learned of a possible stabbing at the bar, which is located on The Links at Valley Fie…
Ex-Congressional Candidate In NY Illegally Funded Campaign, Feds Say Ex-Congressional Candidate In NY Illegally Funded Campaign, Feds Say
Ex-Congressional Candidate In NY Illegally Funded Campaign, Feds Say A former congressional candidate in New York is accused of illegally funding her campaign. Michelle Bond is charged with conspiring to cause unlawful campaign contributions in connection with her failed congressional bid in 2022, according to an indictment unsealed in the US District Court for the Southern District of New York on Thursday, Aug. 22. Bond ran as a Republican for the 1st District seat, representing eastern Long Island in Suffolk County. She ultimately lost the nomination to current Rep. Nick LaLota. According to federal prosecutors, shortly after launching her congressional …
$1B Scheme: Pair Of CEOs, Including Manhasset Man, Defrauded 10K Investors, Jury Finds $1B Scheme: Pair Of CEOs, Including Manhasset Man, Defrauded 10K Investors, Jury Finds
$1B Scheme: Pair Of CEOs, Including Manhasset Man, Defrauded 10K Investors, Jury Finds A New York resident was one of two CEOs convicted in federal court of a $1 billion fraud scheme involving thousands of investors. Long Island resident David Gentile, age 57, of Manhasset, and Jeffry Schneider, age 55, of Austin, Texas, were found guilty in federal court on all counts of an indictment charging them with conspiracy to commit securities fraud, conspiracy to commit wire fraud, and securities fraud. Gentile, the owner and CEO of GPB Capital Holdings, was also convicted on two counts of wire fraud. The verdict came after an eight-week trial. When sentenced on Thursd…
Nursing Home Employee Accused Of Attacking Disabled Resident In Northern Westchester Nursing Home Employee Accused Of Attacking Disabled Resident In Northern Westchester
Nursing Home Employee Accused Of Attacking Disabled Resident In Northern Westchester A 51-year-old nursing home employee from the Hudson Valley faces charges after allegedly attacking a disabled resident in the Northern Westchester facility where she worked, police said. Dutchess County resident Jossette Thompson of Dover was arrested on Tuesday, June 11 in connection with the alleged attack, New York State Police announced on Wednesday, July 17.  According to authorities, while employed at The Paramount at Somers Rehabilitation and Nursing Center in Somers at 189 Route 100, Thompson physically attacked a disabled resident at the facility.  After her arrest,…
$185M Scheme: NY Trio Nabbed For Defrauding 1,400 Investors, Feds Say $185M Scheme: NY Trio Nabbed For Defrauding 1,400 Investors, Feds Say
$185M Scheme: NY Trio Nabbed For Defrauding 1,400 Investors, Feds Say Three New York men have been charged in connection with a $185 million fraud scheme involving over a thousand investors, federal authorities announced. The three are Long Island resident Mario Gogliormella, age 47, of Manhasset; and New York City residents Steven Lacaj, age 27, of Manhattan, and Karim Ibrahim, age 34, of Queens, also known as “Chris Hayes." “By allegedly raising approximately $185 million from over 1,400 investors, Mario Gogliormella, Steven Lacaj, and Karim Ibrahim left a trail of shattered trust and financial ruin," US Attorney for the Southern Distric…
$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…
Firefighter Sends Sexually Explicit Photo To Purported Underage Teen, Capital Region Police Say Firefighter Sends Sexually Explicit Photo To Purported Underage Teen, Capital Region Police Say
Firefighter Sends Sexually Explicit Photo To Purported Underage Teen, Capital Region Police Say A firefighter from the region is accused of sending a sexually explicit image to who he believed was a minor. Albany County resident John Redick, age 68, of Colonie, was arrested Monday, March 18, on suspicion of disseminating indecent material to a minor, a felony. Colonie Police said Redick, a lifetime member of the Colonie Fire Company, sent the illegal photo to who he believed to be an underage teenage boy. “This is still an active investigation and although we are not aware of any other victims at this time, the nature of the allegations is concerning,” the agency said. Redick was ar…
'Courageous' 14-Year-Old Sex Abuse Victim Helps Put Capital Region Rapist In Prison 'Courageous' 14-Year-Old Sex Abuse Victim Helps Put Capital Region Rapist In Prison
'Courageous' 14-Year-Old Sex Abuse Victim Helps Put Capital Region Rapist In Prison A 29-year-old man from the region is facing years behind bars after admitting that he sexually abused a minor. Albany County resident William Maguire, of Voorheesville, pleaded guilty to multiple sex crimes in Saratoga County Court on Friday, July 7. Maguire admitted that he forcibly sexually assaulted the 14-year-old victim while they were sleeping at a home in the town of Providence in January 2023. Afterward, he told the victim not to say anything. “The victim courageously reported the assault shortly after it happened and responded to Albany Medical Center where a medical examination w…
Sexual Predator Sting: Attorney Nabbed After Arranging To Meet Girl In Hudson Valley, DA Says Sexual Predator Sting: Attorney Nabbed After Arranging To Meet Girl In Hudson Valley, DA Says
Sexual Predator Sting: Attorney Nabbed After Arranging To Meet Girl In Hudson Valley, DA Says An undercover investigation in the Hudson Valley has led to the arrest of a Long Island attorney who is accused of preying on a minor using online platforms. Long Island resident Daniel Waxman, age 55, was arrested on Wednesday, May 31 after authorities say he arrived in Rockland County to meet with whom he thought was a 14-year-old girl. From Monday, May 22 up until Wednesday, an undercover investigator from the Rockland County District Attorney’s Office posing as a minor engaged in a series of text conversations with Waxman, Rockland DA Thomas E. Walsh said. The undercover inve…
Hudson Valley Woman Admits To Abusing 7-Month-Old Granddaughter, Causing Her To Go Blind Hudson Valley Woman Admits To Abusing 7-Month-Old Granddaughter, Causing Her To Go Blind
Hudson Valley Woman Admits To Abusing 7-Month-Old Granddaughter, Causing Her To Go Blind A Hudson Valley grandmother has pleaded guilty to assaulting her baby granddaughter, causing the child to go blind. Orange County resident Kimberly Bennett, age 45, of Middletown, made the plea on Wednesday, Oct. 27. The assault, which occurred in February 2020, at Bennett’s home on Bedford Avenue, in the City of Middletown, resulted in the child suffering serious physical injury including damage to her brain and eyes, and rendered the child blind, said Orange County District Attorney David M. Hoovler. According to Hoovler, Middletown Police officers and ambulance personnel …
Real Estate Heir Robert Durst Convicted Of Execution-Style Murder Of Friend Real Estate Heir Robert Durst Convicted Of Execution-Style Murder Of Friend
Real Estate Heir Robert Durst Convicted Of Execution-Style Murder Of Friend Hudson Valley native Robert Durst, the nationally-known New York real estate heir, was convicted in the execution-style murder of a close confidante more than two decades ago. The verdict is for the 2000 killing of Susan Berman who was found dead inside her Beverly Hills home in Los Angeles. She was a friend of Durst's who prosecutors said helped him cover up his wife, Kathie's, disappearance in New York, in 1982, in the Northern Westchester hamlet of South Salem in the Town of Lewisboro. Prosecutors alleged that Durst confided in Berman that he killed Kathie Durst, then grew concerned tha…
Man Sentenced For Fatally Shooting Boss In Hudson Valley Man Sentenced For Fatally Shooting Boss In Hudson Valley
Man Sentenced For Fatally Shooting Boss In Hudson Valley A man has been sentenced for the murder of his boss at an area business. Gerard O’Sullivan, age 61, of New City, was sentenced to 18 years to life in prison for the murder of Noe Hamer, age 42, who was shot and killed in Rockland County on Thursday, Feb. 6, 2020, at the McGowan’s Funeral Home in Haverstraw after he was told he was fired. "Today Gerard O’Sullivan appeared before a Judge of the County Court of Rockland County. What was described in court today was this act was a cold-blooded assassination," said Rockland County District Attorney Tom Walsh. "We can only hope that Noe’s family…
Former NY Assembly Speaker Sheldon Silver Sentenced For Conviction On Corruption Charges Former NY Assembly Speaker Sheldon Silver Sentenced For Conviction On Corruption Charges
Former NY Assembly Speaker Sheldon Silver Sentenced For Conviction On Corruption Charges Former New York State Assembly Speaker Sheldon Silver, once one of the state’s most powerful politicians, will spend the better part of a decade behind bars after being convicted on corruption charges. A federal judge in Manhattan sentenced Silver, 76, to six-and-a-half years in prison on Monday, July 20 following his 2018 conviction. The former Democratic leader, who acknowledged his wrongdoing at his sentencing, was also ordered to pay a $1 million fine. Silver, who at one point represented most of Manhattan, was found guilty of two counts of honest service wire fraud, two counts of hones…
Former Teacher Convicted Of Endangering Welfare Of Child, Harassment Former Teacher Convicted Of Endangering Welfare Of Child, Harassment
Former Teacher Convicted Of Endangering Welfare Of Child, Harassment A former special education teacher at a Rockland County elementary school has been found guilty of endangering the welfare of a child and harassment. Yessenia Vasquez, 46, of West Haverstraw, was convicted after trial on Tuesday, Dec. 17, said Rockland County Acting District Attorney Kevin Gilleece.  Vasquez was a special education teacher at Stony Point Elementary School and taught a group of special needs children.  During the school year 2016-2017, Vasquez used her foot to lift up a disabled 5-year-old’s head and pulled her head up using her ponytail severa…
Area HS Basketball Coach Placed On Leave After Admitting To Collecting $17K For False Injuries Area HS Basketball Coach Placed On Leave After Admitting To Collecting $17K For False Injuries
Area HS Basketball Coach Placed On Leave After Admitting To Collecting $17K For False Injuries An MTA bus driver who lives in Northern Westchester and who worked as a high school basketball coach in Putnam County admitted to collecting workers comp benefits while still maintaining his job on the court, despite being uninjured. Tyrone Searight, 49, of Peekskill, who coaches in the Haldane Central School District, pleaded guilty to disorderly conduct after he claimed to be injured in 2016, forcing him out of his job as a bus driver. Despite being allegedly injured, Searight was caught by investigators continuing to coach at Haldane, all while collecting nearly $17,000 in workers' compe…
Trio From Area Nabbed In FBI Sting For Running $6M Unlicensed Money Transmitting Scheme In Area Trio From Area Nabbed In FBI Sting For Running $6M Unlicensed Money Transmitting Scheme In Area
Trio From Area Nabbed In FBI Sting For Running $6M Unlicensed Money Transmitting Scheme In Area Three area residents have been arrested and charged for running a multi-million dollar scheme to operate an unlicensed money transmitting businesses to launder money derived from illegal activities. Rockland residents Chaskel Landau, 45, of Spring Valley, Alter Landau, 64, of Spring Valley, and Joseph Neumann, 78, of Monsey, were arrested this week, U.S. Attorney Geoffrey Berman announced. The three were tied to an elaborate scheme to transmit approximately $6 million. The three were arrested following an FBI sting operation. It is alleged that between September 2014 and August 2016, the t…
Hudson Valley Writer Who Accused Trump Of Sexual Assault Sues Him For Defamation Hudson Valley Writer Who Accused Trump Of Sexual Assault Sues Him For Defamation
Hudson Valley Writer Who Accused Trump Of Sexual Assault Sues Him For Defamation The New York journalist who wrote a book accusing President Donald Trump of raping her is filing a defamation lawsuit against him after he denied the claims and stated he never met her. E. Jean Carroll, who lives in a cabin on an island in the Wawayanda Mountains outside Warwick in Orange County, the author of Elle magazine’s “Ask E. Jean” advice column, filed a suit in Manhattan Supreme Court this week because the president claimed he never met her after her book, “What Do We Need Men For? A Modest Proposal” was released. In the book, Carroll alleges that Trump raped her in a Bergdorf Good…
Man Slams Into Pole While Driving Drunk At More Than Twice Legal Limit, Police Say Man Slams Into Pole While Driving Drunk At More Than Twice Legal Limit, Police Say
Man Slams Into Pole While Driving Drunk At More Than Twice Legal Limit, Police Say A man was arrested for felony DWI after he allegedly crashed his vehicle while driving at more than twice the legal limit in Ulster County. Christopher M. Claussell, 43, of Saugerties, was arrested around 4:30 p.m., Sunday, Nov. 3, when Saugerties Police responded to the area of165 Main St., for a reported motor vehicle crash, Saugerties Police Chief Joseph Sinagra said.  Once police arrived on the scene they found that Claussell was driving a 2016 Ford Fusion on Main Street when his vehicle left the roadway and hit a utility pole, Sinagra said. At the time of the crash…
Westchester HS Teacher Accused Of Sex Crime With Student During School Hours Westchester HS Teacher Accused Of Sex Crime With Student During School Hours
Westchester HS Teacher Accused Of Sex Crime With Student During School Hours A high school teacher in Westchester is facing charges for allegedly having sexual contact with a teenage student during school hours, police said. John Fraioli, 34, of White Plains, a teacher at New Rochelle High School, was arrested this week and charged with a felony count of third-degree criminal sexual act after allegedly having inappropriate contact with a 15-year-old student earlier this year. Police said that the incident happened in May, while Fraioli was employed as a teacher at the high school. Fraioli was arraigned in New Rochelle City Court on Monday, Oct. 28 and is currently …
Ex-Area Teacher Accused Of Sexually Abusing Student Found Dead Ex-Area Teacher Accused Of Sexually Abusing Student Found Dead
Ex-Area Teacher Accused Of Sexually Abusing Student Found Dead A Hudson Valley teacher who was recently accused of the alleged sexual abuse of an elementary student years ago was found dead at his Orange County home. Shawn Memmelaar, a retired Newburgh physical education teacher, was found dead Sunday, Oct. 13, of a self-inflicted gunshot wound, Town of Goshen Police said. Memmelaar, who was a gym teacher at the now-closed Union Grove Elementary School in Newburgh, had denied the allegations after a recently filed lawsuit claimed he abused student Sandra Burke, 55, from 1969 through 1975. Burke's attorney, Evan Foulke, told News 12, that Memmelaar wou…