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Homeland Security Investigations

Plainview Child Therapist Shared Videos Of Infants Being Bound, Raped, Feds Say Plainview Child Therapist Shared Videos Of Infants Being Bound, Raped, Feds Say
Plainview Child Therapist Shared Videos Of Infants Being Bound, Raped, Feds Say A licensed child therapist from Long Island is accused of sharing videos of child sex abuse, with some victims as young as toddlers. Renee Hoberman, age 36, of Plainview, was arraigned on charges of distributing child pornography in Central Islip federal court on Wednesday, Oct. 23. Prosecutors said Hoberman used social media messaging apps to upload videos depicting one or more minors engaging in sexually explicit conduct between June and October 2024. Several videos depicted infants aged six months to one year being physically restrained and raped by an adult male, as the infants cried…
Westchester's Sean 'Diddy' Combs Subject Of New Federal Criminal Investigation: Report Westchester's Sean 'Diddy' Combs Subject Of New Federal Criminal Investigation: Report
Westchester's Sean 'Diddy' Combs Subject Of New Federal Criminal Investigation: Report A federal criminal investigation is focusing on well-known hip-hop artist and longtime New Yorker Sean "Diddy" Combs, according to a report by NBC.  Combs, a 54-year-old New York City native who grew up in Westchester County in Mount Vernon, was told that he is a focus of an ongoing criminal investigation being conducted by federal authorities in the Southern District of New York, NBC reported.  The outlet added that as part of the probe, a federal grand jury is hearing evidence. There is nothing to suggest that charges are coming, though.  Combs has not received a lett…
Westchester's Sean 'Diddy' Combs Faces New Sexual Abuse Allegation: Report Westchester's Sean 'Diddy' Combs Faces New Sexual Abuse Allegation: Report
Westchester's Sean 'Diddy' Combs Faces New Sexual Abuse Allegation: Report Following several previous accusations, well-known hip-hop artist and longtime New Yorker Sean "Diddy" Combs is facing a new lawsuit filed by a former model who claims the producer sexually assaulted her, according to reports.  CNN reports that former model Crystal McKinney, the winner of MTV's 1998 Model Mission competition show, filed the latest lawsuit against Combs, a 54-year-old New York City native who grew up in Westchester County in Mount Vernon, on Tuesday, May 21. McKinney alleges that Combs drugged and sexually assaulted her in 2003 following a Men's Fashion Week event in New Yor…
Man Admits To Child Porn Charges In Hudson Valley, DA Says Man Admits To Child Porn Charges In Hudson Valley, DA Says
Man Admits To Child Porn Charges In Hudson Valley, DA Says A Long Island man has pleaded guilty in the Hudson Valley to attempted dissemination of indecent materials to minors. Nassau County resident Daniel Waxman, age 56, of Cedarhurst, pleaded guilty on Thursday, April 4, in Ramapo, according to Rockland County District Attorney Thomas Walsh II,  From May 2023 to May 2023, the DA's Office said an undercover investigator from the Rockland County District Attorney's Office posing as a minor engaged in a series of internet chat conversations with Waxman. The undercover investigator told Waxman on multiple occasions that she was …
Thief Who Stole $1.5M Worth Of Luxury Cars In NJ, Rockland, Long Island, CT Gets 3½ Years Thief Who Stole $1.5M Worth Of Luxury Cars In NJ, Rockland, Long Island, CT Gets 3½ Years
Thief Who Stole $1.5M Worth Of Luxury Cars In NJ, Rockland, Long Island, CT Gets 3½ Years 𝗨𝗣𝗗𝗔𝗧𝗘: The last of four men who admitted stealing more than $1.5 million worth of luxury cars in New Jersey, Rockland County, Long Island and Connecticut was sentenced to nearly 3½ years in federal prison. Malik Baker, 30, of Vauxhall, and his three co-conspirators stashed at least 10 of the vehicles at a central location in Irvington, NJ, U.S. Attorney for New Jersey Philip Sellinger said. The Essex County-based quartet often used one stolen vehicle to swipe another, he added. In one instance, Sellinger said, the crew swiped a Maserati GranTurismo at the Jersey Shore in Manalapan an…
Fake ICE Agent On Long Island Sparks Investigation, Police Say Fake ICE Agent On Long Island Sparks Investigation, Police Say
Fake ICE Agent On Long Island Sparks Investigation, Police Say A man was allegedly caught posing as a Customs and Border Protection Officer on Long Island, prompting police to investigate potential fraud. On Wednesday, Nov. 1, Andy Kwok, age 53, was arrested in a Levittown restaurant for pretending to be a US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agent, according to Nassau County Police. At approximately 11:20 a.m., Kwok, a resident of the hamlet of Delmar in Albany County, was dining at K City Hot Pot and Sushi, located at 3056 Hempstead Turnpike. He was dressed as a Customs and Border Protection (CBP) Officer, complete with a fraudulent ID car…
Four Nabbed For Cocaine, Oxy, Gun Possessions On Long Island: Police Four Nabbed For Cocaine, Oxy, Gun Possessions On Long Island: Police
Four Nabbed For Cocaine, Oxy, Gun Possessions On Long Island: Police Police arrested a group of four after investigations discovered them housing drugs and multiple guns. The following Uniondale residents were arrested just before 1 p.m. on Wednesday, Oct. 18 following drug raids, according to Nassau County Police: Gregory Quarles-Williams, age 41; Tiffany Goins-Ford, age 36; Wendell Forrest, age 42; and Darius Forrest, age 34. The search warrants were executed alongside the Drug Enforcement Agents and Homeland Security Investigations. In all, investigators found the quartet were allegedly in possession of the following items: Over two kilograms …
Child Porn: Long Island TikTok Personality Sentenced, DA Announces Child Porn: Long Island TikTok Personality Sentenced, DA Announces
Child Porn: Long Island TikTok Personality Sentenced, DA Announces A TikTok microcelebrity who once dubbed himself the “most hated person” on Long Island will spend 17 years behind bars for spreading child pornography of a 12-year-old girl, authorities announced. On Monday, Sept. 18, the US Attorney’s Office in the Eastern District of New York announced that now 22-year-old Lorenzo Arana, known online as “Lorenzo Blake,” was sentenced to spend 17 years in prison for distributing child pornography and bullying a young girl into attempting suicide. The Island Park resident amassed quite a following on social media platforms such as YouTube, TikTok, Instagr…
Great Neck Resident Among 5 Businessmen Busted In $673M Money Laundering Scheme: Feds Great Neck Resident Among 5 Businessmen Busted In $673M Money Laundering Scheme: Feds
Great Neck Resident Among 5 Businessmen Busted In $673M Money Laundering Scheme: Feds Five businessmen, including one from Long Island, laundered millions of dollars a day in cash through fronts they set up in New York City’s Diamond District, federal authorities charged. Federal agents tied the quintet to $673 million in dirty money laundered through illicit operations over the past four years, US Attorney for New Jersey Philip R. Sellinger said. In exchange, Youssef Janfar, aka “Joe Rodeo,” age 57, of Great Neck, and Edison, New Jersey residents Raj Vaidya, age 26; Rakesh Vaidya, age 51; Shrey Vaidya, age 23; and Neel Patel, 26, collected sizable fees, he said. Janfar pur…
Man Indicted For Disguising $180K Of Cocaine As Presents In Long Island Bust, DA Man Indicted For Disguising $180K Of Cocaine As Presents In Long Island Bust, DA
Man Indicted For Disguising $180K Of Cocaine As Presents In Long Island Bust, DA A Long Island man has been accused of trafficking cocaine after nearly 2.5 kilograms of the drug was allegedly found in his home, hidden inside boxes of children’s toys, authorities announced. Elson Forestier, 34, of Freeport, was arraigned on Wednesday, July 12 for multiple charges related to the possession and distribution of cocaine, the Nassau County District Attorney announced. On Monday, May 15, a long-term investigation into Forestier came to a head when multiple agencies executed a search warrant of his Miller Avenue home. Once inside, officers reportedly found 2.5 kilograms of …
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…
NY Engineer Sentenced For Stealing GE's Trade Secrets To Benefit China NY Engineer Sentenced For Stealing GE's Trade Secrets To Benefit China
NY Engineer Sentenced For Stealing GE's Trade Secrets To Benefit China A New York engineer is heading to federal prison for conspiring to steal General Electric’s trade secrets to benefit the Chinese government. Schenectady County resident Xiaoqing Zheng, age 59, of Niskayuna, was sentenced to two years behind bars in federal court in Albany on Tuesday, Jan. 3. It followed his March 2022 conviction on a charge of conspiracy to commit economic espionage. After a four-week trial, the jury either acquitted Zheng, or could not reach a unanimous verdict, on 11 other charges. According to the US Attorney’s Office in the Northern District, Zheng worked at GE Po…
Blimey! British Bloke Busted For Stealing $1.5K In Merch From LI Home Depot, Police Say Blimey! British Bloke Busted For Stealing $1.5K In Merch From LI Home Depot, Police Say
Blimey! British Bloke Busted For Stealing $1.5K In Merch From LI Home Depot, Police Say It wasn’t quite James Bond-level of criminal mastermind, but police on Long Island say they’ve solved their own international mystery, at least in part. Riverhead Police were initially called in October 2021 with reports that three men had stolen merchandise from the Home Depot on Old Country Road. The thieves grabbed more than $1,500 worth of roofing shingles before leaving the store without paying, police said. Investigators eventually identified all three suspects, but no arrests would come for over a year. That is until Friday, Dec. 9, when Riverhead Police announced they had nabbed o…
Ex-NY Resident Indicted For Massive Fraud Scheme Involving Sports Betting Ex-NY Resident Indicted For Massive Fraud Scheme Involving Sports Betting
Ex-NY Resident Indicted For Massive Fraud Scheme Involving Sports Betting A former New Yorker is accused of being the mastermind of a massive sports betting fraud scheme that bilked victims out of tens of millions of dollars. Cory Zeidman, age 61, formerly of Long Island, was charged with conspiracy to commit wire fraud, mail fraud, and money laundering. He was arrested Wednesday, May 25, in Florida, according to the US Attorney’s Office in the East District. Federal prosecutors said Zeidman used national radio ads to lure sports fans into believing that they could “get in on the ground floor” of his phony sports betting organization and that it could provide i…
Police Release New Info On Fatal Shooting Of College Student From Hudson Valley Police Release New Info On Fatal Shooting Of College Student From Hudson Valley
Police Release New Info On Fatal Shooting Of College Student From Hudson Valley The 21-year-old SUNY Potsdam student from the Hudson Valley who was killed just off-campus was fatally shot multiple times in a drive-by shooting, according to new information released by police. Putnam County resident Elizabeth Howell, age 21, who was a senior at SUNY Potsdam, was struck by three bullets that were fired from a grey, four-door Honda Civic at around 5:45 p.m. on Friday, Feb. 18, investigators from the Potsdam Police Department announced. Original story - Brewster HS Grad Killed In Upstate Shooting Was An Aspiring Educator Police said that her alleged shooter, St. Lawrence C…
Six, Including Police Officer In Hudson Valley, Charged In Sex Trafficking, Bribery Scheme Six, Including Police Officer In Hudson Valley, Charged In Sex Trafficking, Bribery Scheme
Six, Including Police Officer In Hudson Valley, Charged In Sex Trafficking, Bribery Scheme A police officer who allegedly protected a prostitution ring in exchange for free sexual favors is among six facing a host of charges for their roles in operating a sex trafficking organization throughout New York, federal officials announced. In Brooklyn federal court, a 14-count indictment has been unsealed for six suspects who ran the operation - which included minors - while the cop protected them from being arrested by law enforcement. Those charged: Wayne Peiffer, age 48, of Highland in Ulster County; Jose Facundo Zarate Morals, age 32, of Queens. Luz Elvira Cardona, age 33, of Que…
Lack Of COVID Test Stops Kidnapper's Bid To Cross Canadian Border With Girl In Trunk Lack Of COVID Test Stops Kidnapper's Bid To Cross Canadian Border With Girl In Trunk
Lack Of COVID Test Stops Kidnapper's Bid To Cross Canadian Border With Girl In Trunk A teenage man who was stopped at the Canadian border for lack of a COVID-19 test had kidnapped a 16-year-old from Connecticut, sexually assaulted her, and put her in the trunk of his car, according to police. The kidnapping was reported in Connecticut when the suspect, 19-year-old Christopher Jesus Constanzo, abducted and sexually assaulted the female victim on Thursday, Dec. 2, according to Vermont State Police.  Constanzo is then reported to have held the victim in the trunk of his car while he drove from Connecticut toward the US border crossing in Highgate Springs, Vermont. Early …
Nassau County Man Sentenced For MS-13 Murder Of 18-Year-Old At Park Nassau County Man Sentenced For MS-13 Murder Of 18-Year-Old At Park
Nassau County Man Sentenced For MS-13 Murder Of 18-Year-Old At Park A 20-year-old man has been sentenced for his role in the MS-13 murder of an 18-year-old at a Long Island park in 2016. Samuel Ponce, of Hempstead, was sentenced to nine years to life in prison for killing Bryan Steven Cho Lemus, of Uniondale, Acting Nassau County District Attorney Joyce Smith announced. Ponce pleaded guilty to second-degree murder on Monday, June 28. On Aug. 23 of 2016, Lemus was lured into the Massapequa Park Preserve, where he was killed with machetes by Ponce and other MS-13 members, Smith said. The DA's Office reported that Lemus' body was found by officers in a shall…
NYPD Officer From Long Island, Four Others Accused Of Conspiracy To Import, Distribute Cocaine NYPD Officer From Long Island, Four Others Accused Of Conspiracy To Import, Distribute Cocaine
Nypd Officer From Long Island, Four Others Accused Of Conspiracy To Import, Distribute Cocaine An NYPD officer from Long Island and four others are facing charges for allegedly conspiring to import and distribute cocaine as part of their roles in a multinational drug trafficking organization. Hauppauge resident Amaury Abreu, an NYPD officer, Roosevelt resident Julio Bautista and South Ozone Park resident Gustavo Valerio were charged on Monday, Nov. 9 for a cocaine distribution scheme that began in January 2016 and ran through last month. Roosevelt resident Cesar Diaz-Bautista, and Uniondale resident Junior Ortiz were also charged as part of the conspiracy to distribute cocaine in New…
Suspect From Out Of State Nabbed For 2016 MS-13 Long Island Murder Suspect From Out Of State Nabbed For 2016 MS-13 Long Island Murder
Suspect From Out Of State Nabbed For 2016 MS-13 Long Island Murder Police nabbed an out-of-state-wanted man wanted for the 2016 MS-13 murder of a Long Island man found in a park. Carlos A. Lopez-Campos was arrested on Monday, Oct. 19, for the murder of Estiven Abrego Gomez, who was killed on August 20, 2016, in Greenlawn Park when he was 18 years old. Suffolk County Police Homicide Squad detectives, with the assistance of the U.S. Marshals Service, Homeland Security Investigations, United States Immigration, and Customs Enforcement agents from the New York and Maryland offices, took Lopez-Campos into custody in Owings Mills, Maryland on Monday, Oct. 19. G…
COVID-19: Long Island Pharmacist Charged With Hoarding, Price Gouging Of N95 Masks COVID-19: Long Island Pharmacist Charged With Hoarding, Price Gouging Of N95 Masks
Covid-19: Long Island Pharmacist Charged With Hoarding, Price Gouging Of N95 Masks A Long Island pharmacist is facing charges for alleged price gouging of personal protective equipment during the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic. Federal officials charged Suffolk County resident Richard Schirripa - also known as “the Mask Man” - with violating the Defense Production Act by hoarding and price gouging N95 masks; making false statements to law enforcement; committing healthcare fraud; and committing aggravated identity theft.  Schirripa, of Fort Salonga, had been wanted and turned himself in to authorities on Tuesday, May 26. Schirripa is accused of buying a…
Former Long Island High School Teacher Sentenced For Transporting Child Porn Former Long Island High School Teacher Sentenced For Transporting Child Porn
Former Long Island High School Teacher Sentenced For Transporting Child Porn A former high school teacher on Long Island will spend time behind bars and register as a sex offender after being sentenced for transporting child porn. Joseph Zanco, 45, who taught at Massapequa High School, was sentenced to five years in prison in Central Islip federal court for transporting child pornography in interstate and foreign commerce.  As part of his sentence, Zanco will also serve seven years of supervised release following his prison stint, at which point he will have to register as a sex offender. Zanco also cannot have unsupervised contact with minors. U.S. Attorney …
Financial Advisor Admits To Running $5M Ponzi Scheme, SDNY Says Financial Advisor Admits To Running $5M Ponzi Scheme, SDNY Says
Financial Advisor Admits To Running $5M Ponzi Scheme, Sdny Says A financial adviser from Fairfield County admitted to running a yearlong multi-million dollar Ponzi scheme. Norwalk resident James Booth, 74, who operated Booth Financial Associates, pleaded guilty solicited money from clients, falsely promising to invest the money in opportunities offered outside of their ordinary advisory and brokerage accounts. Booth pleaded guilty to one count of securities fraud. When he is sentenced on Feb. 21 next year, he will face up to 20 years in prison. In total, Booth fraudulently obtained nearly $5 million from his customers. Instead of investing their money,…
Woman Indicted For Causing Overdose Death Of Victim In Motel Room Woman Indicted For Causing Overdose Death Of Victim In Motel Room
Woman Indicted For Causing Overdose Death Of Victim In Motel Room An alleged prostitute is facing charges for allegedly selling the fentanyl that led to a fatal overdose over the summer. Angelina Barini, 41, has been arrested and arraigned on an indictment charging her with distributing and possessing with intent to distribute fentanyl thatch resulted in the fatal overdose of a Queens man in a Woodside motel. It is alleged that on Thursday, July 11, a man as found dead in a motel room in Woodside. Video surveillance from the building captured a woman, believed to be Barini, and the victim, entering the motel together, U.S. Attorney Richard Donoghue said. …