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Hudson Valley's Sean 'Diddy' Combs Now Facing Sex Trafficking, Racketeering Charges: Feds
Following several lawsuits accusing him of sexual assault and other abuses, successful hip-hop producer and New York native Sean "Diddy" Combs now faces federal sex trafficking charges, officials announced.
Combs, a 54-year-old New York City native who grew up in Westchester County in Mount Vernon, was arrested on Tuesday morning, Sept. 17 on a three-count indictment, according to the US Attorney's Office for the Southern District of New York.
According to federal officials, beginning as far back as 2008, Combs ran a criminal enterprise that involved sex trafficking, forced…
Woman Admits Setting Fire To Hudson Valley Home With Daughter, Grandchildren Inside, DA Says
A woman has pleaded guilty to attempted arson in connection with intentionally setting fire to a Hudson Valley home with her and her grandchildren inside.
Niagara County resident Itita Washington-Thompson, age 48, of Niagara, made the plea on Monday, Sept. 16, said Dutchess County District Attorney Anthony Parisi.
Parisi said: "This case is a chilling example of how a domestic incident or dispute can escalate to dangerous extremes."
The incident occurred on Friday, May 24, at Hammersley Avenue in Poughkeepsie.
According to officials and court documents, Washington-Thompson…
Hudson Valley Man Indicted On Murder, Concealment Of Corpse Charges, DA Says
A Hudson Valley man has been indicted with the murder of another man whom he shot to death and then drove the victim to another location and set the car on fire.
Related story: Years-Long Investigation Leads To Murder Charge For Stony Point Man
Rockland County resident Robert Rodriguez, age 36, of Stony Point, was arraigned on Tuesday, Feb. 27 following an indictment by a grand jury.
According to Scott Waters of the Rockland County District Attorney's Office, on the evening of Monday, Feb. 15, 2021, Rodriguez shot the victim, Ronald Mann on the property at Rodriguez’s home located at 41…
Hudson Valley Man Sentenced For Burning Down Home Of Ex-Girlfriend, 2 Kids
A man has been sentenced to prison for arson after burning down the home of his ex-girlfriend and two young daughters in the region.
Ulster County resident Timothy Benzenhoefer, age 44, of the hamlet of Malden-on-Hudson, was sentenced on Friday, May 19 to 5 to 15 years in state prison for arson which he committed as part of his ongoing domestic abuse, said the Ulster County District Attorney Office.
The fire took place on Wednesday, June 25, 2022, a few days after calling off his engagement to the victim, Benzenhoefer completely burned to the ground the home where the v…
Hudson Valley Man Charged With Burning Car, Filing Fraudulent Claim, Police Say
A Hudson Valley man has been charged with arson after allegedly having his car burned and then filing a fraudulent claim.
Ulster County resident William Duryea, age 27, of Saugerties, was arrested on Monday, March 27 by state police, said Trooper Steven Nevel.
On Wednesday, Dec. 28, 2022, Duryea went to work at 10 p.m. at the Ulster Service Area on I-87. Around 11:20 p.m. he received a call from Kingston Police telling him that his vehicle was found on fire in Hasbrouck Park, Nevel said.
Nevel said Duryea told police that he left his keys in the car when he went to work, and someone must h…
Hudson Valley Restaurateur Sentenced For Burning Down Eatery, Endangering Others
A former Hudson Valley restaurateur has been sentenced to prison for intentionally burning down his restaurant and endangering the lives of his wife and first responders.
Orange County resident Zef Gjurashaj, age 60, of Newburgh, was sentenced Wednesday, March 1.
Gjurashaj, who was convicted by a jury in September 2022, was sentenced to 22 years to life in prison for burning down Andiamo’s Restaurant, which was located at 5025 Route 9W, in the Town of Newburgh in 2017, the Orange County DA's Office said.
Prior to the trial, Gjurashaj’s co-defendant and the wife of his nephew…
Northern Westchester Man Charged With Killing Stepfather, Lighting Relative's Home On Fire: DA
A man from Northern Westchester is charged with fatally stabbing his stepfather before lighting a relative's home on fire.
On Wednesday, Sept. 14, around 12:30 a.m., 30-year-old Shane Gilleo of Peekskill is accused of stabbing 48-year-old Edward Reeves numerous times with a knife at a residence in Peekskill on North James Street, according to a release by Westchester County District Attorney Miriam Rocah on Thursday, Nov. 10.
Reeves was taken to Westchester Medical Center in Valhalla, where he later died, Rocah said.
Later that day, around 11:20 a.m., Gilleo is charge…
Owner Convicted Of Setting Fire That Destroyed Restaurant In Case Involving Westchester Woman
A Hudson Valley restaurant owner faces years in prison after being found guilty by a jury of setting fire to his restaurant.
Zef Gjurashaj, age 60, was found guilty on Monday, Sept. 26 by a jury on all counts including arson, reckless endangerment, and insurance fraud, among others, for setting fire to Andiamo’s Restaurant in the town of Newburgh, said Orange County District Attorney David Hoovler
Prior to the trial, Gjurashaj’s co-defendant, Marina Gjurashaj, age 38, of Yonkers, who is the wife of his nephew, pled guilty for her role in setting the fire. As part of her plea agree…
Northern Westchester Murder Suspect Who Set Fire To Avoid Capture ID'd, Charged, Police Say
Police have identified a Northern Westchester man who has been apprehended after allegedly setting fire to a home in order to avoid being captured following the stabbing death of another man.
Peekskill resident Shane Gilleo, age 30, was arrested on Wednesday, Sept. 14, and charged with murder and arson, said Det. Lt. Jack Galusha, of the Peekskill Police.
The incident unfolded around 12:30 p.m., Wednesday when police responded to a call of a person stabbed in front of 7 N. James St., in Peekskill.
Upon arrival, officers discovered 48-year-old Edward Reeves had suffered multiple stab wounds…
Man Sentenced For Starting Fire At Hudson Valley Residence Where He Lived With Girlfriend
A man has been sentenced after he pleaded guilty to setting fire to an apartment where he and his girlfriend lived.
Larry Hickmon, age 30, of Middletown, was sentenced on Thursday, March 24, to 18 years in state prison and five years of post-release supervision, according to Orange County District Attorney David Hoovler.
Hickmon pleaded guilty to second-degree arson on Thursday, Jan. 27, in connection with the May 17 fire at an apartment complex on Concord Lane in Middletown.
Earlier report - Man Charged With Assault, Arson, For Sparking Hudson Valley Fire During Domestic Disput…
33-Year-Old Accused Of Igniting Westchester House Fire
A Westchester man has been arrested for allegedly igniting a fire that severely damaged a home and spread to a neighboring residence.
Shawn Gaillard, age 33, of Mount Vernon, was arrested on Wednesday, Dec. 23, for the fire on South 7th Avenue three days earlier.
On Monday, Dec. 20 around 11:30 a.m., while on patrol in the area of South 7th Avenue and Sandford Boulevard, officers found the house located at 505 South 7th Ave., fully engulfed in flames, according to the Mount Vernon Police.
Officers on the scene also saw the fire spread to the adjacent house located at 507 South 7th Ave., po…
Area Man Charged With Murder-Arson After Intentionally Setting Fatal Fire, Officials Say
A Hudson Valley man has been charged with murder and arson in connection with allegedly intentionally starting a fire at a home with people sleeping inside, killing one person.
Orange County resident Ryan Veloce, age 32, of Montgomery, was charged with murder and arson on Friday, Dec. 16, in connection with the Thursday, June 10 crime, said Orange County District Attorney David Hoovler.
It is alleged that after Veloce had slept overnight at the home of Kevin Horan, age 45, located at 22 Barron Road, in the Town of Montgomery, for two nights when he intentionally killed Horan by setting fire…
Failing Area Restaurateur, Family Member, Facing Life In Prison For Arson, Insurance Fraud
A failing restaurateur who conspired with members of his family to burn down his Hudson Valley business as part of an insurance fraud scheme is facing a host of charges, authorities announced.
Orange County resident Zef Gjurashaj, age 59, of Newburgh, and his nephew’s wife, Yonkers resident Marina Gjurashaj, age 37, were indicted and charged with a series of crimes for allegedly conspiring to burn down his restaurant in 2017.
Specifically, the two were charged by an Orange County grand jury with:
First-degree arson;
Conspiracy;
Insurance fraud;
Tax fraud;
Various other offenses.
Orange C…
