ORLANDO, Fla. — Jonen Castillo, 24, of Orlando, has pleaded guilty to smuggling goods out of the United States after attempting to conceal firearms and firearm magazines inside record players…
BOSTON – A Lynn man pleaded guilty Monday to multiple drug trafficking charges as part of an ongoing federal investigation into fentanyl distribution across the North Shore. Ricardo Bratini-Perez, 29,…
TAMPA, Fla. – A Florida dentist admitted Monday to sending more than 100 violent threats to public figures and an election official over a span of several years, pleading guilty…
BALTIMORE, Md. — Maryland Attorney General Anthony G. Brown announced Tuesday that seven individuals have pleaded guilty in connection with a major drug-trafficking organization that operated in northwest Baltimore. The…
LAS VEGAS — A Nevada man admitted in federal court Thursday to orchestrating a multimillion-dollar investment fraud scheme, defrauding victims of more than $6.1 million over six years. Mykalai Kontilai,…
NEWNAN, Ga. — A Virginia man has pleaded guilty to trafficking large quantities of fentanyl, cocaine, heroin, and other narcotics through Georgia, while his co-defendant admitted to concealing a felony,…
TUCSON, Ariz. — A former Santa Cruz County treasurer admitted Thursday to orchestrating a decade-long embezzlement scheme in which she stole more than $38 million in public funds, laundered the…
Three Found Guilty of Fatal Ambush in Philadelphia
**PHILADELPHIA, PA** — District Attorney Larry Krasner announced the conviction of Rayfiq Tiggle, Tariq Chambers, and Isaiah Jones for two counts of first-degree murder, conspiracy to commit murder, and related firearm charges. The Philadelphia jury found them guilty for the murder of two teenagers in West Philadelphia in 2021.
On June 11, 2021, Tiggle, Chambers, and Jones drove to 55th and Arch Streets in a white Nissan Altima. Nasir Brooks, 17, and Steven Griffin, 18, were ambushed and fatally shot 16 times by Tiggle and Jones as they passed the vehicle. The attackers fled afterward.
A tip led the police to the getaway car within 20 minutes on Olive Street. Surveillance video and cell data confirmed the presence of Tiggle, Chambers, and Jones at the crime scene. Arrests were made in December 2022.
Judge Giovanni Campbell sentenced each to life without parole, plus an additional 20 to 40 years for conspiracy on November 15. District Attorney Krasner thanked the police and prosecuting attorney, Sean Perez, for their efforts in handling the case.
District Attorney Announces Guilty Plea in Arson Case
**Orange County, NY** – Tyler Williams, a 26-year-old from Middletown, has pled guilty to second-degree arson in Orange County Court. The case was overseen by Judge Craig Stephen Brown, where it was announced that the prosecution will recommend a 20-year prison sentence followed by five years of post-release supervision for Williams.
The initial incident occurred on December 20, 2023, when Williams received traffic tickets from a New York State Trooper in Middletown. Early the next morning, a fire was ignited at the home of the Trooper’s father in Warwick. First responders included the Town of Warwick Police, Orange County Fire Investigation Unit, and the Orange County Sheriff’s Department.
An extensive investigation conducted by the Town of Warwick Police, the New York State Police Major Crimes Unit, and the Orange County District Attorney’s Office led to Williams’ arrest. More than 20 search warrants were executed, largely focusing on digital evidence, alongside numerous subpoenas. Williams admitted to starting the fire, knowing people were inside the home.
District Attorney David M. Hoovler praised the law enforcement agencies involved in the investigation, including the Town of Goshen Police Department
Former Teacher Pleads Guilty to Child Endangerment
**Toms River, NJ** – Ocean County Prosecutor Bradley D. Billhimer announced that Douglas Bollinger, a 57-year-old resident of Neptune City, pled guilty to Endangering the Welfare of a Child on Monday. The plea was entered before Judge Dina M. Vicari and is linked to incidents that occurred in 2019.
Bollinger is scheduled for sentencing on January 10, 2025, where he will face Parole Supervision for Life. Additionally, he will be subject to Megan’s Law and Nicole’s Law, which will permanently prohibit him from contacting his victim. He will also permanently forfeit future public employment and teaching certifications in New Jersey.
An investigation by the Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office Special Victims Unit revealed that between February and August 2019, while serving as a teacher at the Ocean County Performing Arts Academy, Bollinger engaged in inappropriate sexual contact with a student. Incidents occurred in Point Pleasant Beach and Asbury Park.
Bollinger was apprehended without incident on August 15 by the United States Marshals Fugitive Task Force. He was held at Ocean County Jail but released under New Jersey Bail Reform. Prosecut
Manville Man Found Guilty on Multiple Charges
**SOMERVILLE, N.J.** – A Somerset County jury convicted Junior Suriel-Gonzalez, 38, of Manville, N.J. of multiple charges on Monday following a week-long trial. The charges include third-degree possession of a weapon for an unlawful purpose, fourth-degree unlawful possession of a weapon, and disorderly persons simple assault. Assistant Prosecutor Ryan A. Quiñones, assisted by Litigation Paralegal Tiffany Gordon, represented the State.
The incident occurred on February 11, during a Super Bowl Sunday event at a Manville bar. Suriel-Gonzalez was asked to leave the establishment and subsequently armed himself with a beer bottle. He attacked an employee by swinging the bottle over their head. Suriel-Gonzalez was later subdued and removed from the premises before fleeing in his vehicle.
He was arrested by the Manville Police Department several blocks away in the early hours of February 12. The sentencing for Suriel-Gonzalez is set for January 10, 2025, where he could face up to five years in New Jersey State Prison.
The State expressed gratitude toward the Manville Police Department, the Bound Brook Police Department, and
Queens Man Pleads Guilty to Second-Degree Arson
**Queens, NY** – Evan Person has pleaded guilty to second-degree arson after setting fire to cars and a home in South Ozone Park, critically injuring two people. Queens District Attorney Melinda Katz announced the plea, noting Person’s actions over a span of less than an hour which endangered lives and resulted in significant injuries to the home’s occupants.
District Attorney Katz expressed gratitude to the FDNY Fire Marshals for their role in the case. FDNY Commissioner Robert Tucker highlighted the danger posed to New Yorkers and FDNY members by Person’s acts, commending the efforts of all involved for ensuring public safety.
Person, a resident of Linden Boulevard aged 35, was indicted on multiple charges. These included two counts each of first-degree arson and criminal mischief, along with burglary and endangering the welfare of a child. He pleaded guilty before Justice Toni Cimino on Tuesday and faces a 15-year prison sentence starting early January.
The incident, occurring on July 4, involved video evidence of Person lighting a BMW on fire, which subsequently damaged another vehicle, followed by an attack on a nearby home. The ensuing fire injured two individuals who were asleep in the basement
MAYS LANDING, NJ — Eric Williams, a 56-year-old resident of Atlantic City, has admitted to first-degree aggravated sexual assault in a plea held on Wednesday, November 13, 2024. The guilty…
Dr. Kenneth Fishberger, a 75-year-old internist from East Setauket, New York, pleaded guilty Thursday in federal court to conspiring to commit health care fraud. Fishberger admitted to accepting kickbacks for…
PITTSFIELD, Mass. – Cesar Lagunas, 51, was found guilty of rape and intimidation of a witness on Wednesday by a jury in Berkshire Superior Court, even as he fled to…
PITTSFIELD, Mass. – Angel Nunez, 57, formerly of Troy, N.Y., pleaded guilty Tuesday to 15 indictments stemming from his involvement in an organized theft ring targeting Berkshire Bank locations last…
MINEOLA, N.Y. — An NYPD detective pleaded guilty Wednesday to aggravated vehicular assault and other charges stemming from a 2023 drunken driving crash on the Meadowbrook State Parkway that left…
COATESVILLE, Pa. — A Coatesville man has been sentenced to prison after pleading guilty to aggravated animal cruelty following a disturbing case of abuse involving a dog named Ava. Curtis…
Priest Pleads Guilty to Felony Theft of Church Donations
**HARRISBURG, PA** – Attorney General Michelle Henry announced that George Athanasiou, a Washington County-based priest, has pleaded guilty to felony theft. Athanasiou was charged with misappropriating hundreds of church donation checks, which he signed and deposited via ATM transactions for personal use.
Athanasiou, 37, served as a priest at All Saints Greek Orthodox Church in Canonsburg when he illicitly signed, endorsed, and deposited the checks. On Wednesday, he appeared in Washington County Court and paid $155,000 in restitution. His sentencing is scheduled for February 18, 2025.
The investigation by the Office of Attorney General revealed over 200 unauthorized ATM transactions involving the church’s donation checks from 2022 to 2023. Video evidence demonstrated Athanasiou endorsing and depositing these checks via ATM. During a police interview, the priest admitted to stealing and endorsing checks without permission.
Attorney General Henry condemned the actions, emphasizing that the priest betrayed parishioners by stealing funds meant for the church community. The case is being prosecuted by Senior Deputy Attorney General Evan Lowry.
TOMS RIVER, N.J. — A Manchester man has pleaded guilty to attempted murder in connection with a January 2023 stabbing that left a female victim seriously injured, the Ocean County…
### Guilty Plea in Newburgh Gun Case
**Newburgh, NY** – A Newburgh man, Israel Brown, pled guilty to Attempted Criminal Possession of a Weapon in the Second Degree in the Orange County Court on Wednesday. The 23-year-old suspect, as part of the plea agreement, faces a recommended sentence of seven years in prison followed by five years of post-release supervision.
The charges stem from an incident on June 25, 2023, around 2:55 a.m., when City of Newburgh police responded to a burglary report. Officers found Brown at the scene with a book bag containing a loaded .380 pistol with defaced serial numbers, which he claimed was not his. DNA analysis later linked him to the firearm, leading to his guilty plea.
District Attorney David M. Hoovler commended the Newburgh Police Department for their work in the investigation and apprehension. He emphasized the importance of proactive policing in preventing violence and reiterated a no-tolerance stance on illegal firearms, especially those with defaced serial numbers.
Assistant District Attorney Peter Fernandez is prosecuting the case. Brown is presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in court, as with all defendants.
Spring Valley Man Pleads Guilty to Sexual Abuse of Minor
**Spring Valley, NY** – Luis Quinac-Morales, 41, from Spring Valley, New York, has pled guilty to Course of Sexual Conduct in the First Degree. This plea was entered on Wednesday before Judge Anne B. Bianchi in Rockland County Court.
Since 2016, Quinac-Morales engaged in repeated sexual abuse of a 12-year-old girl in Spring Valley. Rockland County District Attorney Thomas E. Walsh II confirmed the charges, highlighting the abuse involved sexual intercourse.
District Attorney Walsh expressed commitment to protecting children with resources and collaboration from law enforcement at various levels. The investigation involved the Spring Valley Police Department and the Rockland County District Attorney’s Office Special Investigations and Special Victims units.
Quinac-Morales pled guilty before a jury trial could commence. He faces a nine-year state prison term with a 20-year post-release supervision and mandatory sex offender registration. Sentencing is set for January 14, 2025.
GREENSBURG, Pa. — A Westmoreland County jury has found a Belle Vernon man guilty of third-degree murder in the fatal road rage shooting of a Rostraver Township woman. After nearly…
MINEOLA, N.Y. — Two self-identified MS-13 gang members have pleaded guilty to attempted murder in connection with a brutal assault and stabbing of two men in Hempstead earlier this year,…
BURLINGTON TOWNSHIP, N.J. — Three men have pled guilty to aggravated manslaughter in connection with the fatal shooting of a 17-year-old during a drug transaction in a Walmart parking lot…