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Former Cop Convicted Of Killing NY Native Husband In What He Called 'Freak Accident'
A 38-year-old former Tenafly police officer has been convicted of aggravated manslaughter in the fatal shooting of his husband, a retired NYPD officer in 2023 in Sussex County, authorities said.
On Tuesday, July 25, 2023, Joseph Grieco and his husband, John Kelly had returned to their Vernon home from a night out with friends, Sussex County Prosecutor Carolyn Murray said. Griceo had consumed alcohol at the Vernon VFW earlier that night and continued to drink while at home with Kelly and friends, Murray said.
Early the next day, Grieco retrieved his handgun and began to handle it, despite mu…
Man Forced Child To Walk On Legos, Recorded It As Punishment: Ulster Sheriff
A Hudson Valley man has been charged with endangering the welfare of a child following an investigation into allegations of abuse involving a 12-year-old child.
An investigation into potential child abuse involving Shane M. Beitl, 39, of Rosendale, was started on Friday, July 19, 2024, after receiving a report, according to Capt. Joseph Sciutto of the Ulster County Sheriff’s Office,
Sometime in February 2024, Beitl used his cell phone to record himself, forcing the child to step on plastic LEGO blocks with only socks on as a form of punishment, said Sciutto.
Beitl is also accused of…
Driver Charged In Death Of Sullivan County Woman Killed in Pedestrian Crash: Police
A 29-year-old Liberty woman has died after being struck by a vehicle in Sullivan County, and the driver is now facing charges of vehicular manslaughter and driving while impaired, State Police report.
The crash occurred early Friday, Jan. 5, on Glen Wild. Road near Pine Tree Road in the town of Thompson, said Trooper Jennifer Alvarez.
According to Alvarez, a 2018 Toyota RAV 4, driven by Sadia K. Thomas, 31, of Woodridge, was traveling northbound on Glen Wild Road when it struck Vanessa M. Hopper, age 29, of Liberty.
EMS transported Hopper to Garnet Health Medical Center in Middletown, wher…
Former Hudson Valley Corrections Officer Sentenced For Tampering With Records, Harassment
A former Rockland County corrections officer has been sentenced to probation after admitting to falsifying records and exposing himself to a female inmate while on duty, prosecutors announced.
John Kezek, 39, of Knoxville, Tennessee, formerly of Florida, New York, was sentenced following his guilty plea to tampering with public records and official misconduct, said Rockland County District Attorney Thomas Walsh.
The sentencing occurred on Thursday, Dec. 19.
As part of his guilty plea, Kezek admitted to falsifying records at the Rockland County Correctional Facility and exposing himself to …
$4.4M Medicaid Fraud Scheme: Five Plead Guilty, NY AG Says
Five Hudson Valley and Capital Region residents and seven transportation companies have admitted to stealing millions from Medicaid.
New York Attorney General Letitia James announced Thursday, Dec. 5, that five have pleaded guilty to stealing more than $4.4 million from New York’s Medicaid program through fake billing, illegal kickbacks, and engaging in money laundering and other fraudulent schemes to conceal their crimes.
Muhammad Rizwan Khan, 38, Muhammad Usman Khan, 40, and Farhan Khan, 29, all of Orange County, and their related companies pleaded guilty on Wednesday, Dec. 4, in Or…
Couple Accused Of $1M Lululemon Theft Spree Across 5 States, Including NY
A Connecticut couple has been accused of orchestrating a multi-state theft operation targeting Lululemon stores, resulting in approximately $1 million in stolen merchandise.
Jadion Anthony Richards, age 44, and Akwele Nickeisha Lawes-Richards, age 45, both from Danbury, were charged in in Minnesota on Friday, Nov. 22, at Ramsey County District Court with organized retail theft, according to the Minnesota Star Tribune.
Their alleged activities spanned over two months and involved thefts in several states, including New York, Connecticut, Minnesota, Colorado, and Utah, the Star Tri…
Hudson Valley Fire Company Financial Secretary Admits Stealing $17K, DA Says
A financial secretary for a fire company in the region has admitted to stealing more than $17,000 from the department.
Orange County District Attorney David Hoovler announced on Friday, Nov. 1, that Lynn T. Simpson, age 43, of Wallkill, pled guilty to grand larceny in the Third Degree in connection with the theft of $17,947 from the parade fund of the Washington Heights Fire Company in Middletown.
As part of the plea agreement, Simpson will repay all the stolen money, Hoovler said.
The department was scheduled to host a parade in September 2023, which includ…
Pair Of 45-Year-Old Women From Region Nabbed For Animal Cruelty In Case Involving 40 Cats
Two women from the region have been charged with 40 counts of animal cruelty to cats.
The incident occurred in Columbia County on Friday, Oct. 18, in Hillsdale.
After receiving a tip about possible animal abuse, members of the New York State Police, with the Columbia-Greene Humane Society, Animal Nation, and the Hillsdale Building Department, determined that Jennifer Rossi, age 45, and Peggy Card, age 45, both of Hillsdale, failed to care for the animals, said Trooper AJ Hicks.
Animal Nation, located in Westchester County in South Salem, volunteered to care for the cats at their shelter, H…
Hudson Valley Woman Gets 6 Months In Jail For Double-Fatal Hit-Run Crash
A woman has been sentenced to six months in jail for the double-fatal, hit-and-run crash in the region.
Orange County resident Angela Fischl, age 25, of Newburgh, pleaded guilty to two counts of leaving the scene of an incident resulting in death on Tuesday, Oct. 15,
Following her plea, she was sentenced to five years probation and six months in the Ulster County Jail. Her driver’s license was also revoked, said Ulster County District Attorney Emmanuel Nneji.
The plea and sentence are in connection to the Friday, March 1, hit-and-run resulting in the deaths of Ulster County residents…
Man Who Attacked Girlfriend With Belt In Hudson Valley Faces 20 Years In Prison
A man is facing 20 years in prison after being found guilty of assaulting his girlfriend with a belt, severely wounding her in front of two toddlers in the region.
Dutchess County resident Javan McMillon, age 28, of Poughkeepsie, was convicted by a jury on Tuesday, Oct. 8, following two days of deliberations, said Dutchess County District Attorney Office Anthony Parisi.
The attack occurred on Saturday, March 9, on Bement Ave., in the city of Poughkeepsie, when McMillon repeatedly struck his girlfriend with a leather belt, causing substantial pain and bruising, the DA's office said.
Parisi…
Girl's Death In 'Completely Avoidable' Wall Collapse Leads To Jail For NY Contractor
The owner of a Long Island construction company will spend months in jail after a stone wall he built collapsed, killing a 5-year-old girl.
Nadeem Anwar, age 48, of Valley Stream, was sentenced to six months behind bars and five years of probation in Brooklyn Supreme Court on Wednesday, Sept. 18, in the death of Alysson Pinto-Chaumana.
According to prosecutors, the young girl was with her mother visiting a friend’s home in Bushwick, Brooklyn, on Aug. 29, 2019, when a granite wall made of several stone pillars and a horizontal stone plate toppled onto her. The child suffered severe head trau…
Orange County Man Who Attempted To Rape Child Sentenced
A Hudson Valley man has been sentenced to 15 years in prison for the attempted rape of a child under the age of 11.
Orange County resident James Pospisil, age 45, of Port Jervis, was also sentenced on Tuesday, Sept. 17, to 15 years of post-release supervision after pleading guilty.
He will also have to register as a sex offender, said Orange County District Attorney David M. Hoovler.
At the plea proceedings, Pospisil admitted that between Friday, Dec. 22, 2023, and Tuesday, Jan. 2, he attempted to engage in sexual intercourse with a child under 11 years old.
Hoovler thanked the Orang…
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…