charges

Former PTA President Faces Charges in $41,000 Theft Case

Former PTA President Faces Charges in $41,000 Theft Case

**Queens, NY** – The Queens District Attorney’s office announced the charging of Athena Gonzalez, former parent teacher association president of P.S. 166 in Astoria, for grand larceny and criminal possession of stolen property. Gonzalez allegedly diverted more than $41,000 from the school’s PTA funds for personal use.

District Attorney Melinda Katz outlined how Gonzalez, as PTA president, transferred funds intended for the school into her own account, using the money for personal expenses, such as trips to Six Flags Great Adventure and Kalahari Resorts. Katz emphasized that the funds were collected by families at P.S. 166 to benefit the school and its students.

Gonzalez, 33, from Greenvale, was arraigned Thursday evening before Judge Julieta Lozano. She is required to return to court on December 3. If convicted, she faces a potential sentence ranging from 2 1/3 to seven years imprisonment.

The defendant, elected as PTA president in July 2023, reportedly deposited several checks totaling $41,315.87 into her personal account from December 2023 to July 2024. She is also accused of misusing a PTA debit

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Brooklyn Man Faces Charges for Stolen Property and Identity Theft

Brooklyn Man Faces Charges for Stolen Property and Identity Theft

**Queens, NY** – Jamil Brown has been charged with various crimes, including criminal possession of stolen property and identity theft. A court-authorized search of his Brooklyn home revealed stolen bank checks, credit cards, debit cards, and driver’s licenses. Brown’s girlfriend, Kadija Corke, was also arrested during the search. The investigation was initiated following a report of fraudulent charges on a credit card by a resident of Laurelton.

Brown, 32, was arraigned on a 152-count complaint with multiple charges related to possession of stolen property and identity theft. He is expected to return to court on November 19 and may face a sentence ranging up to 25 years to life in prison if convicted. Corke, 31, was similarly charged and will appear in court on December 11. Her potential maximum sentence could reach 15 years in prison if she is found guilty.

The investigation revealed that Brown used a secondary credit card issued to the victim’s husband for unauthorized purchases across several retail stores. Video evidence and location data allegedly place Brown at the scenes of these fraudulent transactions. Law enforcement executed a search on October 28 at 7:00 a.m., leading

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Car Thief Facing Felony Charges in Newark

Delaware Man Arrested on Felony Charges

**Newark, DE** – Delaware State Police have arrested 51-year-old Elvis Cruz of Newark, Delaware, for multiple felony charges related to investigations of a stolen vehicle and a robbery.

On October 15 at approximately 9:20 a.m., officers responded to a report of a robbery at Walgreens on Ogletown-Stanton Road in Newark. On October 9, a suspect broke a display case, stole merchandise, and threatened a Walgreens employee. No weapon was displayed, and nobody was harmed.

Through investigations, troopers identified Cruz as the suspect and obtained a warrant for his arrest. On October 27 at around 3:32 p.m., police responded to a vehicle theft at Christiana Hospital on Ogletown-Stanton Road. Surveillance and a computer check identified Cruz, who also had a No Contact Order with the hospital.

Troopers found the stolen Toyota Corolla near Cruz’s residence and apprehended him without incident. Cruz was charged with first-degree robbery, theft of a motor vehicle, noncompliance with bond conditions, and criminal mischief under $1,000.

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Baltimore Man Faces Charges After Road Rage Shooting

Baltimore Man Faces Charges After Road Rage Shooting

**Baltimore, MD** – A Baltimore City man is currently being held without bond at the Anne Arundel County Detention Center. He faces felony charges connected to a road rage shooting incident in Anne Arundel County on Sunday.

The Maryland Department of State Police has reinforced its commitment to enhancing roadway safety. They are specifically focusing on addressing gun violence reported on highways and urge drivers to avoid impaired, aggressive, and distracted driving.

Investigations are ongoing into the murders of Delonte Hicks, Charles Marks, and Nyah Hairston, all victims of road rage incidents in Maryland. The police encourage anyone with information on these cases or other highway gun crimes to contact them at 410-538-1887, with anonymity guaranteed for callers.

The case investigation is still active. Additional details can be found in the full release on the Maryland State Police website.

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Barnegat Man Sentenced for Cocaine and Handgun Charges

Barnegat Man Sentenced for Cocaine and Handgun Charges

**Barnegat, NJ** – Clifford Holland, 48, of Barnegat, received a prison sentence on Friday following his guilty pleas to drug and weapons charges. Judge Dina M. Vicari sentenced Holland to three years in New Jersey State Prison for possession with intent to distribute less than half an ounce of cocaine. Additionally, he received a 10-year sentence, with a five-year parole ineligibility, for unlawful possession of a handgun.

The charges stem from a February 23 incident in Barnegat. During a narcotics investigation, law enforcement executed a search warrant on Gunning River Road. Police seized cocaine and a .22 caliber revolver.

Holland had been detained since his arrest on that date. He entered his guilty pleas on September 9 before the same judge. The sentences will be served concurrently.

Ocean County Prosecutor Bradley D. Billhimer commended Assistant Prosecutor Stephen Burke and various law enforcement agencies. The coordinated effort led to the successful prosecution and sentencing of Holland.

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Pennsylvania Retail Theft Ring Charges Announced

Pennsylvania Retail Theft Ring Charges Announced

**HARRISBURG, PA** – Attorney General Michelle Henry and the Pennsylvania State Police have charged three alleged leaders of an organized retail theft ring. The group is accused of stealing merchandise, altering receipts, and making fraudulent returns at TJ Maxx, HomeGoods, and Marshalls stores, leading to $850,000 in illegal payouts.

The charges stem from an investigation by the 50th Statewide Investigating Grand Jury. Nine individuals are implicated in the fraud and theft scheme, which began in 2022. The alleged leaders, Davon Whitfield, Naima Scott, and Zonay Griffin, face charges including corrupt organizations, organized retail theft, and forgery.

The criminal enterprise reportedly exploited return policies at TJX Companies, which operates T.J. Maxx, Marshalls, HomeGoods, HomeSense, and Sierra. Merchandise was stolen and later returned for store credit, which was used for further purchases and converted to refunds on defendants’ debit cards.

In total, around 1,500 transactions tied to Whitfield, Scott, and Griffin accrued more than $700,000. Additional members charged are Shakeira Vivan, Miara Armstead, Harry Anderson, Lamar Washington, Jasmine

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Brooklyn Baseball Coach Faces Sexual Abuse Charges

Brooklyn Baseball Coach Faces Sexual Abuse Charges

**Brooklyn, NY** – A Brooklyn baseball coach has been indicted for multiple sexual abuse charges involving seven teenage players, as announced by District Attorney Eric Gonzalez on Thursday. Nicolas Morton, 31, allegedly conducted the abusive acts during practices with a travel baseball team and as the head coach at The Packer Collegiate Institute. The victims were between the ages of 12 and 14. Morton is accused of making sexual comments, insisting players expose themselves, and touching their intimate parts on several occasions.

Morton was arraigned before Brooklyn Supreme Court Justice Donald Leo and faces a 20-count indictment. The charges include second-degree course of sexual conduct against a child, various degrees of sexual abuse, endangering the welfare of a child, forcible touching, and unlawful imprisonment. Morton was granted bail at $75,000 cash or $150,000 bond, with a court date scheduled for December 13.

According to the investigation, the alleged incidents took place between early 2023 and the summer of 2024. The accusations include asking to see the boys’ pubic hair, touching their genitals over and under clothes, and using coercive tactics to obtain compliance. These acts reportedly occurred

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Police Arrest Severna Park Resident on Drug and Weapon Charges

Police Arrest Severna Park Resident on Drug and Weapon Charges

**Glen Burnie, MD -** Detectives from the Northern District of the Anne Arundel County Police Department have made an arrest following a traffic stop involving drug and weapon offenses. The incident took place on October 23 near Freetown Road and Caldwell Road.

During the traffic stop, law enforcement officials seized approximately 3.62 grams of suspected cocaine and around 1.17 grams of an unidentified pill. Additionally, officers confiscated a loaded 9mm Model 19 Glock firearm from the vehicle.

The driver of the vehicle, identified as 30-year-old Khayla Monet Brunner from Severna Park, Maryland, was arrested and charged in connection to the incident. The arrest was part of an ongoing effort by the police department to address drug and weapon violations in the area.

Police have released information related to the case under reference number 24-738588 as part of their regular operations in addressing these types of violations.

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Stamford Man Indicted on Fentanyl Trafficking Charges

Stamford Man Indicted on Fentanyl Trafficking Charges

**Stamford, CT** – The U.S. Attorney for the District of Connecticut, Vanessa Roberts Avery, and Stephen P. Belleau, the Acting Special Agent in Charge of the Drug Enforcement Administration for New England, announced charges against Darius Gamble, 39, of Stamford. Gamble, also known as “Rell,” faces charges for fentanyl trafficking offenses.

According to investigations by the Drug Enforcement Administration’s Bridgeport High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area Task Force and the Stamford Police Department, Gamble was identified as a large-scale fentanyl distributor. On September 1, authorities executed a controlled purchase of approximately 50 grams of fentanyl from him.

Gamble was arrested on September 12 following a criminal complaint. During the arrest, law enforcement found approximately 42 grams of fentanyl, a kilogram press machine, narcotics processing tools, and $31,307 in cash in his residence. A further search of his vehicle revealed an additional six grams of fentanyl.

A grand jury in Bridgeport indicted Gamble on October 2 with possession and intent to distribute 40 grams or more of fentanyl, with each charge carrying a mandatory minimum sentence of five

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Monmouth County Officer Indicted on Misconduct Charges

Monmouth County Officer Indicted on Misconduct Charges

**Freehold, NJ** – A Monmouth County Grand Jury has indicted a suspended Manalapan Township Police Department officer on 19 counts related to alleged misconduct involving two teenage girls. The indictment was announced Thursday by Monmouth County Prosecutor Raymond S. Santiago.

Kevin Ruditsky, 47, is facing multiple charges including second-degree Engaging in a Pattern of Official Misconduct. Additional charges include nine counts of second-degree Official Misconduct, three counts of third-degree Computer Criminal Activity, and three counts of third-degree Endangering the Welfare of a Child. He also faces charges of Hindering Apprehension, Impersonating a Law Enforcement Officer, and Stalking.

The investigation by the Monmouth County Prosecutor’s Office (MCPO) began last August after receiving information about inappropriate messages and photos sent by Ruditsky to a 16-year-old. The conduct reportedly started during the 2023 National Night Out event in Manalapan Township. Authorities allege that Ruditsky, in uniform at the event, engaged in further misconduct by pulling over the victim unlawfully and deactivating his cameras.

Further investigation revealed incidents involving a second victim in December 2022

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