QUEENS, NY — Police are asking for the public’s assistance in locating a 13-year-old girl who has been reported missing from Queens. Madelaine Rendon, 13, was last seen leaving her…
QUEENS, N.Y. — A Queens woman has been indicted on charges of first-degree murder and arson for allegedly setting a fire that killed two people in a garage in Jamaica…
Queens Couple Charged in International Retail Theft Case
**Queens, NY** – Queens District Attorney Melinda Katz and Governor Kathy Hochul reported a major retail theft operation involving Christopher Guzman and Yvelisse Guzman Batista. The couple, alongside three co-defendants, is accused of selling stolen high-end makeup, perfume, and designer clothing under Yvelisse Fashion, LLC. They allegedly directed theft crews to acquire specific items and sold these in Queens and the Dominican Republic. Charges include fostering the sale of stolen goods, a new crime in New York.
DA Katz emphasized the importance of consumer caution when purchasing from unfamiliar sources as the holidays approach. The defendants reportedly sold over $2 million in stolen goods over two years through various locations. This case is noted as the first time New York’s new law against selling stolen goods has been enforced. Katz thanked Governor Hochul, New York State Police, and Homeland Security Investigations for their work on the case.
Charges against Christopher Guzman, 35, Yvelisse Guzman Batista, 29, and their associates include criminal possession of stolen property and conspiracy. They are due in court on January 15, 2025, with potential penalties of up to 25 years in prison. Tiffany Leon
Queens Man Charged with Pandemic Relief Fund Fraud
**Queens, NY** – Queens District Attorney Melinda Katz has charged Humayun Kabir with grand larceny and related crimes. He allegedly misappropriated pandemic relief funds via federal loans meant to aid workers and small business owners suffering due to COVID-19. Kabir reportedly used the money to purchase properties in Niagara Falls.
Kabir, 53, secured a Payroll Protection Program loan and an Economic Injury Disaster loan by claiming economic harm from working as an Uber and Lyft driver. DA Katz expressed that her office would aggressively pursue those exploiting government relief programs. She acknowledged the collaborative efforts with Homeland Security Investigations New York, the New York State Department of Financial Services, and the NYPD Financial Crimes Task Force.
Special Agent William S. Walker from HSI New York criticized Kabir for his alleged actions during a crisis. Kabir was arraigned and faces a nine-count complaint with various charges. He could face up to 15 years in prison if convicted on the top charge, and his court return is set for January 16, 2025.
An investigation began after a tip-off in March 2023 from a fraud monitoring service, leading to the discovery that Kabir allegedly
QUEENS, N.Y. — The NYPD is asking for the public’s help in identifying a man wanted in connection with a forcible touching incident that occurred Tuesday evening aboard public transit…
Queens Man Receives Seven-Year Sentence for Brooklyn Robberies
**Brooklyn, NY** – A Queens man has been sentenced to seven years in prison for committing three violent robberies in Brooklyn. Brooklyn District Attorney Eric Gonzalez announced that the defendant, Dupreme Williams, aged 43 from Far Rockaway, pleaded guilty to robbery last month.
Williams was handed the seven-year prison sentence by Brooklyn Supreme Court Justice Jane Tully, along with five years of post-release supervision. The plea followed his admission to second-degree robbery charges on October 29.
The incidents, as detailed in the investigation, commenced on February 13, 2014. At approximately 8:15 a.m., Williams attacked a 50-year-old woman at Flatbush Avenue Extension and Fleet Street, taking her AirPods after assaulting her. Subsequently, at around 9:45 a.m., he assaulted a 73-year-old man on a southbound F train at the York Street subway, taking the victim’s cell phone.
On March 8, at approximately 1:55 p.m., Williams further assaulted a man outside 2135 Pitkin Avenue. His arrest followed on March 28, with prosecution led by Senior Assistant District Attorney Natalie Riether
Queens Resident Faces Multiple Charges in Human Trafficking Case
**Queens, NY** – Queens District Attorney Melinda Katz announced that Valezka Echeverrias has been arraigned on charges of sex trafficking and other crimes for allegedly coercing a transgender woman into prostitution on Roosevelt Avenue and demanding weekly payments. When the victim wished to cease these activities, Echeverrias reportedly threatened her with a knife to extort money. Additional charges in the indictment include grand larceny, robbery, and extortion involving two victims, during which Echeverrias allegedly used a knife to further intimidate them and steal their phones.
District Attorney Katz emphasized the severity of the allegations, noting the use of threats to exploit one victim and terrorize another for personal gain. She highlighted the creation of the Human Trafficking Bureau as part of the ongoing effort to combat such abuses. Echeverrias, a 30-year-old resident of Jackson Heights, is charged with 24 crimes, including four counts of sex trafficking, grand larceny, coercion, promoting prostitution, robbery, menacing, criminal mischief, and criminal contempt.
Supreme Court Justice Peter Vallone has remanded Echeverrias and ordered her to appear in court on December
QUEENS, N.Y. — The NYPD is asking for the public’s help in locating a 53-year-old man wanted in connection with a fatal hit-and-run that claimed the life of a bicyclist…
Queens DA Announce Indictments for Squatting Case
**Queens, NY** – Queens District Attorney Melinda Katz has confirmed the indictment of True Jackson, Saliam Sudler, and Shania Outar for charges including burglary and criminal trespass. The charges stem from their illegal occupation of a single-family home in St. Albans. The rightful owner’s family first observed unauthorized activity at the property earlier this year after it had been vacated.
The defendants, aged 41, 35, and 24 respectively, were arraigned on a five-count indictment. Charges include burglary in the second degree, theft of services, petit larceny, criminal trespass in the second degree, and criminal possession of stolen property in the fifth degree. They have been ordered to return to court on January 9, 2025.
The defendants reportedly moved into the vacant home illegally in the spring. DA Katz stated that they used the residence unlawfully for an indefinite period and maintained pit bulls on the premises. A domestic dispute at the home on July 31 led to police intervention and their subsequent arrest today.
The District Attorney’s Detectives Bureau executed an indictment warrant, leading to the defendants’ apprehension. Assistant District Attorney William Jorg
Queens Man Charged in Network Cable and Wi-Fi Theft
**Queens, NY** – Queens District Attorney Melinda Katz has announced that Kong Gao has been charged with fraudulent making of an electronic access device and criminal possession of forgery devices. This is in relation to a large-scale theft of network cable streaming and Wi-Fi services in Flushing and Whitestone.
Gao, aged 35, allegedly manufactured approximately 200 modem devices embedded with malware that mimics legitimate services like Spectrum, operated by Charter Communications. On Friday, Gao was arraigned, and he faces a potential maximum sentence of seven years if convicted of the top count. Judge Marty Lentz has ordered Gao to return to court on January 16, 2025.
In April, Charter Communications launched an investigation into widespread unauthorized use of their services, identifying about 6,000 cloned accounts. The investigation, assisted by a private investigative firm, linked Gao to advertisements offering fraudulent Wi-Fi services and modem installations. Authorities executed a search warrant at Gao’s residence on November 14.
The search at Gao’s Whitestone residence uncovered 200 modems intended for sale, along with tools and malware programs used to infiltrate Charter’s services. The scheme’s estimated impact exceeds $1 million in
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
Queens Man Sentenced for 2021 Fatal Shooting
**Queens, NY** – Queens District Attorney Melinda Katz announced the sentencing of Waturi Johnson to 24 years to life in prison for the 2021 shooting death of Uriah Richardson. Richardson, a father of three, was shot midday outside the Mott Avenue A train station in Far Rockaway. The men were strangers.
District Attorney Katz stated that Johnson shot Richardson in broad daylight on a public street before fleeing to another state, where he was later apprehended. Katz emphasized that the sentence serves as justice for Richardson and his family.
Johnson, aged 54, residing on Beach 30th Street in Far Rockaway, was convicted by a jury in June. He faced charges of second-degree murder and two counts of second-degree criminal possession of a weapon following a two-week trial, after a jury deliberation of approximately four hours.
Justice Kenneth Holder sentenced Johnson to 24 years to life for the murder charge, with additional concurrent sentences of 15 years for each weapon possession charge. The incident, captured on surveillance video, occurred on October 4, 2021, at around 1 p.m. near a taxi stand close to the Mott Avenue A train station. Johnson
QUEENS, N.Y. — A Queens man was convicted of attempted murder in the first degree for the April 2023 shooting of NYPD Detective Brett Boller, following a violent altercation on…
The New Jersey Education Association (NJEA) hosted its annual conference this week, drawing attention for its lineup of speakers and workshops centered around themes of inclusivity, equity, and education. The…
Title: Queens Man Charged with Staging Dangerous Car Crash
**Queens, NY** – Queens District Attorney Melinda Katz announced charges against Maikel Martinez for allegedly staging a motor vehicle accident and reckless endangerment. The incident on the Belt Parkway involved a car reportedly driven by Martinez cutting off another vehicle, resulting in a collision.
On October 16, at approximately 11:11 a.m., Asphia Natasha was driving with her vehicle’s dashboard cameras recording the incident. A silver Honda Civic cut in front of her car before abruptly reversing into it. The occupants allegedly obstructed the view with a tarp, switched seats, and left the vehicle shortly after the collision.
Four individuals exited the Honda, including a man who identified himself as Maikel Martinez, claiming his wife was the driver. Another unidentified man and woman exited the vehicle, with one later entering a red Kia that had followed Natasha’s car.
Martinez, 28, of Dyker Heights, was arraigned Thursday night on multiple charges. Criminal Court Judge Jerry Iannece has scheduled his next court appearance for January 7, 2025. Martinez faces up to seven years in prison if convicted, and the investigation is ongoing.
QUEENS, N.Y. — An off-duty New York City Police Department officer was arrested on Monday night in Queens and charged with assault and harassment, according to police. The officer, identified…
QUEENS, N.Y. — An unlicensed cannabis dispensary operating near a playground in Sunnyside has been shut down following community complaints, Queens District Attorney Melinda Katz announced. The closure of the…
QUEENS, N.Y. — An off-duty New York City Department of Sanitation employee was arrested early Sunday morning in Queens, according to police. Aidan Murtagh, 24, was taken into custody around…
QUEENS, N.Y. — The New York City Police Department has announced the recent arrest of a Queens man on charges related to forcible touching and sexual abuse. The arrest, part…
QUEENS, N.Y. — A 60-year-old Queens woman was found dead in the waters near College Point on Thursday afternoon, prompting an investigation by local authorities. Police responded to a 911…
NEW YORK CITY — The New York City Police Department is seeking the public’s assistance in identifying a suspect wanted in connection with a burglary in Queens last month. According…
NEW YORK CITY — The New York City Police Department is searching for a woman involved in an assault inside a commercial establishment in Queens earlier this month. According to…
QUEENS, N.Y. — A 52-year-old Uber driver was assaulted and carjacked late Thursday night in front of 241-27 86th Avenue, according to police reports. The incident occurred at approximately 11:20…
Queens, NY— Queens District Attorney Melinda Katz announced the sentencing of Haiyan Deng to 27 years in prison for the manslaughter of a man in her Flushing apartment and a…
ASTORIA, N.Y. — An off-duty New York City traffic agent was arrested Wednesday evening in Queens, according to authorities. Crystal Wilson, a 37-year-old NYPD traffic agent, was taken into custody…