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Rockland County District Attorney's Office

Former Hudson Valley Corrections Officer Sentenced For Tampering With Records, Harassment Former Hudson Valley Corrections Officer Sentenced For Tampering With Records, Harassment
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 …
Man Admits To Sexual Abuse Of 2 Young Girls For Years In Hudson Valley Man Admits To Sexual Abuse Of 2 Young Girls For Years In Hudson Valley
Man Admits To Sexual Abuse Of 2 Young Girls For Years In Hudson Valley A Hudson Valley man pled guilty to the repeated sexual abuse of a child under the age of 13 just minutes before a pre-trial hearing was to begin. Rockland County District Attorney Thomas Walsh II announced that Fresnel Paul, age 60, of Spring Valley, made the plea on Tuesday, Dec. 3. Beginning in 2018, Paul routinely sexually abused a girl in the Village of Spring Valley. The repeated sexual abuse consisted of sexual intercourse, Walsh said. In addition, Paul also sexually abused a girl under the age of 11, officials said.  “The actions of the defendant in this ca…
Man, GF Learn Fate For Grisly Murder Of His 85-Year-Old Grandfather In Hudson Valley Man, GF Learn Fate For Grisly Murder Of His 85-Year-Old Grandfather In Hudson Valley
Man, GF Learn Fate For Grisly Murder Of His 85-Year-Old Grandfather In Hudson Valley A Rockland County man and his girlfriend have been sentenced for their roles in killing his 85-year-old grandfather, stealing his belongings and hiding his body in 2023, authorities said. Constantinos Doonan, 32, also known as “Dino,” and Jo-Ann Haughey, 28, both of New City, were convicted in the January 2023 killing of Constantinos Mastakouris at his home on Ruth Drive in New City, Rockland County District Attorney Thomas E. Walsh II said. On Tuesday, Dec. 3, authorities announced that Doonan was sentenced to 20 years to life in prison while Haughey received 15 years for ma…
Hudson Valley Corrections Sergeant Charged With Child Exploitation Charges Hudson Valley Corrections Sergeant Charged With Child Exploitation Charges
Hudson Valley Corrections Sergeant Charged With Child Exploitation Charges A 44-year-old sergeant at the Rockland County Jail is facing over 50 charges of possessing and promoting alleged child sexual abuse material, authorities announced. Daniel Dworkin, a corrections officer sergeant, was arrested Thursday, Nov. 21, following an investigation sparked by a cyber tip from the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children, according to Rockland County District Attorney Thomas E. Walsh II. Dworkin is charged with 51 counts each of promoting and possessing a sexual performance by a child. A search of his home and digital devices reportedly uncovered disturbing…
Hudson Valley Child Sex Abuser Headed To Prison Hudson Valley Child Sex Abuser Headed To Prison
Hudson Valley Child Sex Abuser Headed To Prison A Hudson Valley man is headed to prison for sexually abusing a child for years, beginning at the age of nine. Rockland County resident Elmer Oviedo Sandoval, 47, of Haverstraw, was sentenced to six years in state prison on Tuesday, Oct. 29, for the course of sexual conduct against a child, said Rockland County District Attorney Thomas Walsh. From 2016 to 2019, beginning when the victim was nine years old, Sandoval subjected her to sexual contact on multiple occasions while she resided in two separate residences in Ramapo, Walsh said.  The sexual abuse consisted of sexual con…
Hudson Valley Drug Dealer Nabbed With 2 Kilos Of Cocaine By Drug Task Force, Police Say Hudson Valley Drug Dealer Nabbed With 2 Kilos Of Cocaine By Drug Task Force, Police Say
Hudson Valley Drug Dealer Nabbed With 2 Kilos Of Cocaine By Drug Task Force, Police Say An alleged Hudson Valley drug dealer was nabbed with two kilos of cocaine and heroin during a bust by an area Drug Task Force. Rockland County resident Darryl Wright, age 41, of Pearl River, was charged on Thursday, Oct. 24, with criminal possession of a controlled substance, said Rockland County District Attorney Thomas Walsh.  According to Walsh, the bust came following a six-month investigation into narcotics sales in the Town of Orangetown. On Wednesday, Oct. 23, task force agents and the Orangetown Police Department searched Wright's Pearl River home, which resulted in the seizur…
Man Submits False Documents To Hudson Valley Court: DA Says Man Submits False Documents To Hudson Valley Court: DA Says
Man Submits False Documents To Hudson Valley Court: DA Says A New Jersey man has been charged after presenting falsified bank statements in a Hudson Valley court and testifying they were real, authorities said. James Wolff, 50, of Teaneck, NJ, was arraigned on Monday, Sept. 30, Rockland County District Attorney Thomas Walsh II announced on Thursday, Oct. 3. According to the district attorney, in June, an investigation found that Wolff knowingly possessed and submitted falsified bank statements to the Rockland County Surrogate’s Court and testified, under oath, to their validity.  The documents filed by the Wolff with the Ro…
Man Nabbed In Undercover Online Predator Sting In Hudson Valley, DA Says Man Nabbed In Undercover Online Predator Sting In Hudson Valley, DA Says
Man Nabbed In Undercover Online Predator Sting In Hudson Valley, DA Says A man is facing multiple charges after an online predator sting in the region. From Tuesday, April 30, through Sunday, Sept. 1 of this year, Robert Fidler age 66, of Nyack engaged in internet chats and attempted to arrange meetings with what he thought were two teenage girls, the Rockland County District Attorney's Office said. An undercover officer of the DA Office's Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force had assumed the personas of 13- and 14-year-old girls. During the conversations, Fidler described how he and the undercover officer would engage in sexual contact whe…
Hudson Valley Couple Admits Killing Grandfather, Stealing His Belongings, DA Says Hudson Valley Couple Admits Killing Grandfather, Stealing His Belongings, DA Says
Hudson Valley Couple Admits Killing Grandfather, Stealing His Belongings, DA Says A Hudson Valley man and woman have pleaded guilty to murder and manslaughter in connection with the strangling death of the man's grandfather. According to the Rockland County District Attorney's Office, the couple "brutally" killed the victim in 2023 at a house in New City sometime between Sunday, Jan. 29, and Monday, Jan. 30. On Monday, Sept.16, Rockland County resident Constantinos Doonan, also known as "Dino," aged 32, of New City, pleaded guilty to the murder of his grandfather, Constantinos Mastakouris.  Additionally, Jo-Ann Haughey, age 26, also of New City, admitted to manslau…
Hudson Valley Woman Admits Slashing Mother's Throat, Killing Her Hudson Valley Woman Admits Slashing Mother's Throat, Killing Her
Hudson Valley Woman Admits Slashing Mother's Throat, Killing Her A Hudson Valley woman will spend the next 17 years in prison after pleading guilty to manslaughter in the brutal stabbing death of her mother. Rockland County resident Marilyn Mora, age 27, of Stony Point, made the plea on Tuesday, Sept. 10, for the Sunday, Dec. 11, 2022, murder of her mother, 60-year-old Doris Quispe, said Rockland County District Attorney Thomas E. Walsh II  According to Scott Waters of the Rockland County DA's Office, around 12:45 a.m. on Dec. 11, 2022, Stony Point Police responded to a call of a stabbing in progress. When officers arrived, they heard yelling f…
Hudson Valley Man Convicted Of Molesting Child Hudson Valley Man Convicted Of Molesting Child
Hudson Valley Man Convicted Of Molesting Child A Hudson Valley man faces up to seven years in prison for sexually molesting a 9-year-old girl for three years. Rockland County resident, Elmer Oviedo-Sandoval, age 47, of Haverstraw, was convicted on Monday, Aug. 12, after a two week jury trial. According to Rockland County District Attorney Thomas  Walsh, Oviedo-Sandoval was convicted of course of sexual conduct against a child at two different locations in Ramapo. Between 2016 and 2019, beginning when the victim was nine, Oviedo-Sandoval subjected her to sexual contact on multiple occasions while she resided in two separa…
Hudson Valley Man, Woman Nabbed With Illegal Firearms, Parts: DA Hudson Valley Man, Woman Nabbed With Illegal Firearms, Parts: DA
Hudson Valley Man, Woman Nabbed With Illegal Firearms, Parts: DA A Hudson Valley man and woman are behind bars following an investigation into illegal firearms in the region. Rockland County residents Tao Zhang, age 35, and Vivian Wu, age 35, both of Nanuet, were charged on Tuesday, July 2, following an ongoing investigation into illegal firearms in the county. Rockland County District Attorney Thomas Walsh said the investigation began in May after his office received information regarding an illegal firearm component being shipped to Nanuet. The Rockland County District Attorney’s Office Special Investigations Unit Detectives, who are cross-s…
Hudson Valley Man Charged With Making Terroristic Threats Online Hudson Valley Man Charged With Making Terroristic Threats Online
Hudson Valley Man Charged With Making Terroristic Threats Online A 44-year-old Hudson Valley man has been charged with making a terroristic threat after allegedly making "threats" on social media targeting a community. Rockland County resident William Arbello, of Suffern, was arrested on Tuesday, June 25, when Ramapo Police began investigating social media posts containing threats targeting the Village of New Square community, according to Det. Lt. Chris Franklin of the Ramapo Police. "Working closely with our Ramapo detective assigned to the FBI Joint Terrorism Task Force and the Rockland County Sheriff’s Intelligence Center, a suspect was quickly ident…
Hudson Valley Smoke Shop Raids Net 4 Felony Arrests Hudson Valley Smoke Shop Raids Net 4 Felony Arrests
Hudson Valley Smoke Shop Raids Net 4 Felony Arrests Following a months-long investigation, four people and five corporations were busted for allegedly illegally selling marijuana and criminal tax fraud. Rockland County District Attorney Thomas E. Walsh II announced Friday, June 21, the busts after raids of seven smoke shops in Rockland County. According to Scott Waters, spokesman for the Rockland County District Attorney's Office, the investigations began in March with help from Homeland Security, local police, and other state agencies. The warrants were executed at two smoke shops in Clarkstown, two in Orangetown, and one in the …
67 Guns, 4 Assault Rifles Turned In At Hudson Valley Gun Buyback Event 67 Guns, 4 Assault Rifles Turned In At Hudson Valley Gun Buyback Event
67 Guns, 4 Assault Rifles Turned In At Hudson Valley Gun Buyback Event A Hudson Valley gun buyback event collected 67 guns, including four assault rifles. The annual event was held in Rockland County in Spring Valley on Thursday, June 6. During the event, sponsored by the Rockland County Sheriff's Office with the Spring Valley Police Department, the New York State Police, and the Rockland County District Attorney’s, residents were given gift cards in exchange for guns.  Rockland County Sheriff Louis Falco said the guns collected included: Four assault rifles 29 handguns 32 rifles and shotguns Two antique or non-working guns Individuals also turned…
Hudson Valley Man Sentenced For 2 Violent Rapes Hudson Valley Man Sentenced For 2 Violent Rapes
Hudson Valley Man Sentenced For 2 Violent Rapes A Hudson Valley man will spend the next 25 years in prison for raping and beating a woman twice.  Rockland County resident Rigoberto Lopez Castro, age 26, of Spring Valley, was sentenced on Wednesday, June 5, to a total of 25 years for the two rapes and one count of burglary, said Rockland County District Attorney Thomas E. Walsh II. On Monday, Sept. 12, 2022, Castro forcibly raped the victim, a woman previously known to him, the DA's office said. According to Scott Waters of the District Attorney's Office, during the attack, Castro held a belt to the victim's neck and hit her&nb…
Hudson Valley Man Admits Attacking Corrections Officer Hudson Valley Man Admits Attacking Corrections Officer
Hudson Valley Man Admits Attacking Corrections Officer A Hudson Valley man in jail for alleged grand larceny and burglary charges has pleaded guilty to attacking a corrections officer while behind bars. Rockland County resident Shaquille Gage, age 21, of Spring Valley, pleaded guilty on Tuesday, May 14, to one count of assault for injuring a Rockland County corrections officer, said Rockland County District Attorney Thomas E. Walsh II. According to Scott Waters with the District Attorney's Office, Gage, who was in the Rockland County Jail, failed to comply with multiple verbal instructions by Rockland County corrections officers on Tuesday, Apr…
Attempted Murder: Former Hudson Valley HS Football Star Indicted For Stabbing Man Attempted Murder: Former Hudson Valley HS Football Star Indicted For Stabbing Man
Attempted Murder: Former Hudson Valley HS Football Star Indicted For Stabbing Man A former Hudson Valley high school football star has been indicted for allegedly stabbing a man without provocation, seriously wounding him. Related: Suspect Nabbed After Victim Stabbed Outside Home In Quiet Hudson Valley Neighborhood Elijah Dean, age 23, who grew up and graduated from high school in Rockland County and is now a resident of Orange County, was charged with attempted murder, two counts of assault, and criminal possession of a weapon on Friday, May 3, said Rockland County District Attorney Thomas E. Walsh II. The incident occurred in Rockland County shortly after 8:30 …
Hudson Valley Man Admits Sexually Abusing 2 Children, DA Says Hudson Valley Man Admits Sexually Abusing 2 Children, DA Says
Hudson Valley Man Admits Sexually Abusing 2 Children, DA Says A Hudson Valley man faces years in prison after pleading guilty to sexually abusing two children over two years. Rockland County District Attorney Thomas E. Walsh II announced Thursday, April 25, that Alejandro Perez, 34, of Haverstraw, pleaded guilty to course of sexual conduct against a child and sexual abuse. Starting in the summer of 2021 and throughout the next two years, Perez subjected two children to sexual abuse on multiple occasions, said Scott Waters of the Rockland County District Attorney's Office. Waters said the sexual abuse consisted of oral sexual conduct as…
Suspect Nabbed After Victim Stabbed Outside Home In Quiet Hudson Valley Neighborhood Suspect Nabbed After Victim Stabbed Outside Home In Quiet Hudson Valley Neighborhood
Suspect Nabbed After Victim Stabbed Outside Home In Quiet Hudson Valley Neighborhood A suspect has been apprehended days after a resident was stabbed multiple times outside a home in a quiet neighborhood in the Hudson Valley. The incident occurred in Rockland County shortly after 8:30 p.m. on Thursday, April 11 in the Town of Ramapo Arriving officers discovered that the victim had been accosted in his driveway on Trailside Place by an unknown suspect and was stabbed multiple times about his body including his head and neck.  The victim was transported to the hospital by ambulance in serious condition. On Saturday, April 13, after nearly 48 ho…
Man Tries Fleeing Arrest After Trying To Entice Teen Into Sex In Hudson Valley: Police Man Tries Fleeing Arrest After Trying To Entice Teen Into Sex In Hudson Valley: Police
Man Tries Fleeing Arrest After Trying To Entice Teen Into Sex In Hudson Valley: Police A 20-year-old Connecticut man was apprehended after ramming police vehicles to escape arrest for trying to entice a 13-year-old victim into engaging in sexual activity in the Hudson Valley, authorities said.  Fairfield County resident Francisco Javi Gomez of Norwalk was arrested in Putnam County on Wednesday, April 3 in connection with an investigation that began on Friday, March 15, the Putnam County Sheriff's Office announced on Friday, April 12.  According to authorities, Gomez had been enticing a 13-year-old victim to engage in sexual activity with him through social medi…
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 …
Hudson Valley Inmate Receives Increased Sentence For Attacking Jail Guards Hudson Valley Inmate Receives Increased Sentence For Attacking Jail Guards
Hudson Valley Inmate Receives Increased Sentence For Attacking Jail Guards A 35-year-old Hudson Valley inmate will serve an extra 14 years in state prison for attacking correction officers on at least four occasions, seriously injuring two. Rockland County resident, Darius Williams, age 35, of Spring Valley, was sentenced to two consecutive seven-year terms for the assaults, said Rockland County District Attorney Thomas E. Walsh. Williams was sentenced on Wednesday, March 13 to seven years in prison for slashing a man across the face with a box cutter in July 2022, after approaching a couple walking down a street and slashing the man across the face. He continued…
First Woman Takes Reins As Chief Of Detectives At Hudson Valley DA's Office First Woman Takes Reins As Chief Of Detectives At Hudson Valley DA's Office
First Woman Takes Reins As Chief Of Detectives At Hudson Valley DA's Office The first woman has been named to serve as Chief of Detectives for a Hudson Valley district attorney's office. Deirdre Smith was recently sworn in as the Chief of Detectives for the Rockland County District Attorney's Office, said Scott Waters, spokesman for the office. Smith is a graduate of Manhattan College. She started her law enforcement career in 1993 with the New York City Police Department and spent five years with the department before joining the Suffern Police Department. She served for 22 years with Suffern, retiring at the rank of sergeant. In Suffern, she was also the first f…
Man Accused Of Killing Wife In Hudson Valley Man Accused Of Killing Wife In Hudson Valley
Man Accused Of Killing Wife In Hudson Valley A Hudson Valley man is behind bars after allegedly killing his wife during a domestic dispute. Rockland County resident Warle Fernandez-Arias, age 37, was charged with second-degree murder on Friday, Feb. 23 in Spring Valley after his wife, Carolyn Canela, age 36, was found dead. According to Spring Valley Police, Canela, who moved to the US from Santo Domingo in the Dominican Republic, was found when officers responded to a welfare check at 149 Sneden Place West at their Hillcrest Point apartment. Once inside the apartment, officers found the body of Canela, who was pronoun…
Suspect In Murder Of Hudson Valley Woman Fatally Shoots Himself In Front Of Cops In Connecticut Suspect In Murder Of Hudson Valley Woman Fatally Shoots Himself In Front Of Cops In Connecticut
Suspect In Murder Of Hudson Valley Woman Fatally Shoots Himself In Front Of Cops In Connecticut A man who had allegedly murdered a woman earlier in the day in the Hudson Valley shot and killed himself in Connecticut in front of police when cornered. The incident began around 9 a.m., Wednesday, Jan. 31 in Rockland County when the Ramapo Police discovered a 56-year-old woman lying on the ground on Innwood Drive suffering from multiple gunshot wounds in the Hillcrest section of Ramapo. The woman was transported to Good Samaritan Hospital in Suffern by Spring Hill Volunteer Ambulance Corps where she was pronounced dead, said Lt. Chris Franklin of the Ramapo Police. The Ramapo Police Inve…
Hudson Valley Man Found Incompetent For Trial In Machete Murder, Attack, DA Says Hudson Valley Man Found Incompetent For Trial In Machete Murder, Attack, DA Says
Hudson Valley Man Found Incompetent For Trial In Machete Murder, Attack, DA Says A Hudson Valley man will spend at least another two years in a psychiatric facility after being found incompetent to stand trial for murder for a second time in the 2019 machete attack during a Hanukkah party. Grafton Thomas, age 35, of Orange County, is charged in Rockland County with the Saturday, Dec. 28, 2019 killing of Josef Neumann, age 72, after allegedly stabbing five people at the Hasidic rabbi’s Forshay Road, Monsey home during a Hanukkah celebration. Thomas, whose family said he had a long history of severe mental illness and suffered from schizophrenia, also faces six count…
Hudson Valley Man Sentenced For Stabbing Missing Person To Death, Hiding Body Hudson Valley Man Sentenced For Stabbing Missing Person To Death, Hiding Body
Hudson Valley Man Sentenced For Stabbing Missing Person To Death, Hiding Body A Hudson Valley man is headed for prison after pleading guilty to manslaughter in the stabbing death of a missing person. Rockland County resident Joseph Janulewicz, age 65, of West Nyack, was sentenced on Wednesday, Jan. 17 to 15 years in prison for the Friday, June 10, 2022 murder of Brian Romney, said Rockland County District Attorney Thomas E. Walsh II. A relative of Romney's filed a missing person report in Orange County with the Village of Greenwood Lake Police Department, when he did not arrive at his relative’s home as expected on Wednesday, June 8, 202…
Fatal Fire: 2 Escape Jail After Blaze Claiming Lives Of Hudson Valley Firefighter, Other Man Fatal Fire: 2 Escape Jail After Blaze Claiming Lives Of Hudson Valley Firefighter, Other Man
Fatal Fire: 2 Escape Jail After Blaze Claiming Lives Of Hudson Valley Firefighter, Other Man Two rabbis who pleaded guilty to a fatal fire at an adult home in the Hudson Valley have escaped jail time through a plea deal. Rockland County residents Nathaniel Sommer, age 72, of Monsey, pleaded guilty on Tuesday, June 20 to two counts of second-degree manslaughter and is expected to be sentenced to five years probation, said Rockland County District Attorney Thomas E. Walsh. His son, Aaron Sommer, age 29, also of Monsey, pleaded guilty to one count of second-degree reckless endangerment, which carries a sentence of three years probation, Walsh added. The fire, which took place around…
Former Podiatrist, Sister From Northern Westchester Charged In Alleged New Plot To Kill Wife Former Podiatrist, Sister From Northern Westchester Charged In Alleged New Plot To Kill Wife
Former Podiatrist, Sister From Northern Westchester Charged In Alleged New Plot To Kill Wife A podiatrist from the Hudson Valley has been accused of trying to get his wife killed for a second time, this time with the alleged aid of his sister. Rockland County resident Ira Bernstein, age 49, of Montebello, and Northern Westchester resident Jaclyn Goldberg, age 40, of Bedford, have been indicted by a grand jury following an investigation conducted by the Town of Ramapo Police Department with the assistance of the Rockland County District Attorney’s Office. From July 29, 2022 through September 21, 2022, Ira Bernstein is alleged to have solicited the murder of his wife S…
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…